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IELTS Listening Band Score Chart Band 9-0, How to Calculate?

Discover the IELTS Listening Band Score Chart (Band 9–0), how scores are calculated from raw marks, and tips to boost your listening performance in the IELTS exam.
authorImagePorishmita Paul15 Aug, 2025
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IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Listening Band Score: is a critical part of the overall IELTS assessment. It reflects a candidate’s ability to understand spoken English across a range of real-life contexts. The IELTS Listening section tests how well a person can comprehend spoken English in academic and everyday settings such as regular conversations, identifying detailed information, or complex audio passages.

The IELTS exam assesses listening skills using a standardized band scale that ranges from Band 1 (non-user) to Band 9 (expert user). Each band level represents a specific degree of language skill. The IELTS Listening Band Score helps both examiners and test takers understand how performance is measured in terms of accuracy, understanding, and ability to follow spoken language.

By looking at the listening band score chart, candidates can convert their raw marks into a band score using the official listening score chart, which makes it easier to track progress and prepare better.

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IELTS Listening Band Score

For candidates who wish to study IELTS Listening Band Score is an essential part of their overall IELTS result. Understanding how your IELTS Listening score is calculated can help you prepare better and set clear goals.

here, we have provided the IELTS Listening band score chart, how the raw score is converted, and share essential tips to help you maximize your performance in the Listening section.

IELTS Listening Band Descriptors With Scores How To Practice IELTS Listening? Types And Strategies
1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening How to Score High in IELTS listening Exam? 

IELTS Listening Band Score Descriptor

Each IELTS band score reflects a candidate’s listening proficiency. Here we are explaining IELTS Listening band descriptors:

IELTS Listening Band Score Descriptor

Band Score

Skill Level

Description

9

Expert User

Complete mastery of the language; fluent, accurate, and fully understands everything.

8

Very Good User

Near-complete control of the language with minor mistakes; may misunderstand rare or unfamiliar topics. Handles complex discussions well.

7

Good User

Strong language skills with some occasional errors or misinterpretations; capable of grasping detailed ideas and complex structures.

6

Competent User

Effective use of English despite errors; understands and communicates fairly complex ideas in known contexts.

5

Modest User

Limited but workable language ability; manages basic communication but makes frequent mistakes.

4

Limited User

Basic use in familiar contexts; struggles with understanding and accurate expression, cannot manage complex ideas.

3

Extremely Limited User

Can only grasp general meanings in very familiar settings; communication breaks down often.

2

Intermittent User

Can only express very basic information in isolated words or phrases; barely understands English.

1

Non-User

Only knows a few words with no ability to use the language meaningfully.

0

Did Not Attempt

No answers provided; test was not taken.

What is the IELTS Listening Test?

The IELTS Listening test is common to both Academic and General Training formats. It evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts. A few important feature of the IELTS Listening test are as follows:

  • Duration: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time for paper-based test)

  • Total Questions: 40

  • Number of Sections: 4

  • Question Types: Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, form completion, and more.

Click Here to Explore 

How is the IELTS Listening Band Score Calculated?

The IELTS Listening raw score (out of 40) is converted into a band score ranging from 0 to 9. Each correct answer receives 1 mark, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Here is an approximate IELTS Listening Band Score Conversion Chart:

IELTS Listening Band Score Calculation

Correct Answers (out of 40)

Listening Band Score

39 – 40

9.0

37 – 38

8.5

35 – 36

8.0

32 – 34

7.5

30 – 31

7.0

26 – 29

6.5

23 – 25

6.0

18 – 22

5.5

16 – 17

5.0

13 – 15

4.5

Why Does IELTS Listening Score Matter?

For candidates planning to study in the UK, Australia, Canada, or the USA, your Listening band score is a key component of your overall IELTS band score. Many universities require a minimum of 6.0 to 7.5 in Listening to admit international candidates.

IELTS Reading Band Score IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Speaking Band Score IELTS Writing Band Score

Tips to Improve Your IELTS Listening Score

  • Listen to English podcasts, and radio shows, and watch English videos.
  • Familiarize yourself with the IELTS listening format by doing full-length practice tests.
  • Learn to jot down key points while listening to maintain focus.
  • Expand your vocabulary by engaging with different forms of spoken English.
  • Develop concentration skills and manage test anxiety to improve listening comprehension.

Achieving a high IELTS Listening band score requires consistent practice, strategic preparation, and an understanding of different listening skills. With the right approach, you can significantly improve your listening ability and score high in the IELTS exam.

Also Read: IELTS Listening Tips, Expert Tips And Strategies

Guidance to PW IELTS Prep

Section wise IELTS Band Score Links
IELTS Reading Band Score IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Speaking Band Score IELTS Writing Band Score

IELTS Listening Band Score FAQs

What is 30 out of 40 in IELTS Listening?

A raw score of 30 out of 40 in the IELTS Listening section typically translates to a Band 7.0. This indicates that the candidate has a good command of listening skills, with the ability to understand detailed information and follow complex speech with occasional inaccuracies.

How much is 7.5 in IELTS Listening?

A Band 7.5 in IELTS Listening usually corresponds to a raw score of around 32–34 out of 40. This score reflects a strong performance, showing that the test taker can follow extended speech, identify details accurately, and understand both formal and informal conversations effectively.

Is 6.25 considered as 6.5 in IELTS?

Yes, IELTS scores are rounded to the nearest half or whole band. So, a calculated score of 6.25 is rounded up to 6.5. Similarly, a score of 6.75 would be rounded up to 7.0. This applies to both individual sections and the overall band score.

How is IELTS Listening Band Calculated?

The IELTS Listening band score is calculated based on your raw score out of 40. Each correct answer earns one point. This raw score is then converted to a band score (1–9) using official conversion tables, ensuring consistency across different test versions.

What is 23 out of 40 in IELTS?

A score of 23 out of 40 in the Listening section typically results in a Band 6.0. This indicates a competent user who can understand the main ideas in familiar situations but may struggle with complex language or details in unfamiliar contexts.

How does listening band score impact your IELTS result?

It accounts for 25% of your total IELTS score and affects your eligibility for academic or immigration purposes.

Where can I find the official listening band score chart?

You can view listening score chart on the official IELTS website to know how raw scores convert to band scores.
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