Q: Band 9

Skill level Expert user Description Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Q: Band 8

Skill level Very good user Description Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Q: Band 7

Skill level Good user Description Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Q: Band 6

Skill level Competent user Description Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Q: Band 5

Skill level Modest user Description Has 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.

Q: Band 4

Skill level Limited user Description Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Q: Band 3

Skill level Extremely limited user Description Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Q: Band 2

Skill level Intermittent user Description 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.

Q: Band 1

Skill level Non-user Description Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Q: Band 0

Skill level Did not attempt test Description No assessable information provided.

Question 1

Band 9

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Expert user

Description
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Question 2

Band 8

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Very good user

Description
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Question 3

Band 7

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Good user

Description
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Question 4

Band 6

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Competent user

Description
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.
Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Question 5

Band 5

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Modest user

Description
Has 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.

Question 6

Band 4

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Limited user

Description
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Question 7

Band 3

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Extremely limited user

Description
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Question 8

Band 2

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Intermittent user

Description
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.

Question 9

Band 1

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Non-user

Description
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Question 10

Band 0

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Did not attempt test

Description
No assessable information provided.

IELTS Reading band scores explained

Band scores

Reading band scores

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IELTS Reading band scores explained

Band scores

Reading band scores

Find out more about IELTS Reading Band Scores