IELTS for university entry
Access study materials, practice tests, and one-on-one tutoring with StudyIn, giving yourself the best chance of hitting the score you need.
What is IELTS?
Intended for non-native speakers who are looking to study or work in an English-speaking environment, IELTS training is an internationally recognised system for testing English language ability in four categories:
- Reading
- Speaking
- Writing
- Listening
At StudyIn, you have access to a range of free and paid resources and IELTS coaching, giving you a better chance of meeting the entry requirements of your preferred university.
IELTS course types
There are two different types of IELTS tests, and once graded, your IELTS score is valid for two years.
Academic IELTS – Academic IELTS is for international students who wish to study at a university or join an institute of higher education.
General IELTS – Classes focus on English survival skills and social and workplace language, ideal for those planning to migrate to English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, or New Zealand.
IELTS 9-Band Scale
Students will be given a score of 1-9 for each part of the test. Your average score produces an overall IELTS band score, and you can be graded on whole or half points.
Score
Skill
Skill overview
Band 9
Expert
Band 8
Very good
Band 7
Good
Band 6
Competent
Generally effective command, though with some errors and misunderstandings
Band 5
Modest
Partial command, coping with overall meaning but frequent errors
Brand 4
Limited
Basic competence in familiar situations, but difficulties in understanding and expressing complex ideas
Band 3
Extremely limited
Conveys and understands only the general meaning in very familiar situations and experiences frequent breakdowns in communication
Band 2
Intermittent
Great difficulty understanding spoken and written English and struggles to communicate basic ideas
Band 1
Non-user
No ability to use the language except for a few isolated words
Band 0
Did not attempt the test
The test was not taken, or there is no assessable English proficiency
Core: Band 9
Skill: Expert user
Skill overview: Fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
Core: Band 8
Skill: Very good user
Skill overview: Fully operational command of the language with only occasional inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Core: Band 7
Skill: Good user
Skill overview: Operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
Core: Band 6
Skill: Competent user
Skill overview: Generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Core: Band 5
Skill: Modest user
Skill overview: Partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
Core: Band 4
Skill: Limited user
Skill overview: Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
Core: Band 3
Skill: Extremely limited user
Skill overview: Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
Core: Band 2
Skill: Intermittent user
Skill overview: No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
Core: Band 1
Skill: Non-user
Skill overview: Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
Core: Band 0
Skill: Did not attempt the test
Skill overview: No assessable information provided. Did not take the test.
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