IELTS Academic and General Training test results are scored on a nine-band scale.
The IELTS Test Report Form provides your Overall Band Score and band scores for:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
The Overall Band Score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. The section scores are weighted equally. If the average of the four sections ends in .25, the Overall Band Score is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, the Overall Band Score is rounded up to the next whole band.
Listening
The IELTS Listening section contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Reading
The IELTS Reading section contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The Academic and General Training Reading sections are graded on the same scale. The distinction between the two, is one of genre or text type. However, the Academic Reading section may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading section to secure a given band score.
Writing
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
- Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average.
Speaking
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
The criteria are weighted equally and the Speaking band score is the average.
Further information as well as versions of the assessment criteria for Writing and Speaking can be found here.
IELTS examiners
IELTS Writing and Speaking assessments are carried out by trained and certificated examiners, who are qualified and experienced English language specialists. The examiners work to clearly defined criteria and are subject to extensive and detailed quality control procedures. Examiners are required to complete a certification set to demonstrate that they can apply the assessment criteria accurately and reliably. If successful, they become qualified examiners and are then subjected to extensive monitoring by examiner trainers up to four times a year and at least once every two years.
In addition to consistently and accurately assessing test takers’ speaking and writing, IELTS examiners are responsible for maintaining confidentiality and security in all aspects of IELTS as well as safeguarding the integrity of the test and ensuring the same procedures are followed for all test takers.
IELTS Test Results
IELTS on Paper
Your IELTS Test Report Form will be posted via first class Royal Mail delivery, 13 days after the test day. On that day, your IELTS Test Results will also become availble to view online.
For test takers who would like to have their results sent to non UK/Ireland addresses, a compulsory £40 fee applies. This covers the cost of International tracked delivery and payments can be arranged via the University of Nottingham online store.
If you prefer to have your results sent to a UK address you only need to purchase the standard test fee at checkout.
IELTS on Computer
IELTS on Computer Test Results will become available to view online 3-5 days after the test day.
Please note you will not receive a paper copy of your IELTS Test Report Form for an IELTS on Computer test.
Additional copies of IELTS Test Results
The anticipated processing time for Additional Test Report Form requests is 5 working days.
If forms are submitted incorrectly or with information missing, this will delay processing further. We therefore advise test takers to read the information below carefully and submit requests in advance of institution deadlines.
Additional copies can be sent directly to institutions, organisations and employers. If you took an IELTS on Paper test, you can also request a replacement personal copy if the original is lost.
All electronic copies (to registered Universities only) are free of charge. For hard (paper) copies the first 5 (delivered within the UK) are also free - extra copies will incur a payment which can be arranged below:
- click here to pay £20 per copy for destinations within the UK or Ireland
- click here to pay £40 per copy for all overseas destinations
To process your request, you will need to:
- Download and complete the additional test report form document (electronically)
- Confirm what type of copy your institution requires
- Include a phone number, email address and postal address for the receiving institution
- Provide a copy of your ID passport, BRP or European National Identity card as proof of identification
- This must be the same ID used on the test day
- Arrange payment (if required)
- Return the completed form and copy of your ID document via email to ielts@nottingham.ac.uk