There is no Pass or Fail in the IELTS Test: everyone gets a score, from 0 to 9, for every Module. Your Overall Score is the average of the 4 Module scores, with fractional scores being rounded (up or down). The scores you achieve determines whether you can apply for a Visa and if you can, how many points you get in the Points Test:
- a score of 6 in all Modules is the threshold score for Employer Sponsored and Skilled Migration Visas, except for Subclass 457, where the threshold score is IELTS 5.
- a score of 7 in all Modules gives you 10 Points in the Points Test - you are deemed to have "Proficient English".
- a score of 8 in all Modules gives you 20 Points in the Points Test - you are deemed to have "Superior English".
The terms "Proficient" and "Superior" are specific to the Australian Department of Immigration. The IELTS uses a different set of terms, from "Expert User" for someone with a score of 9 to "Non User" for someone with a score of 1, as shown in the table below:
| BAND | | DESCRIPTION |
| 9 | Expert User | Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| 8 | Very Good User | 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. |
| 7 | Good User | 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. |
| 6 | Competent User | Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest User | 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. |
| 4 | Limited User | Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely
Limited User | Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| 2 | Intermittent User | 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. |
| 1 | Non User | Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| 0 | No Test | Did not attempt the test. No assessable information provided. |
Find out how to apply for the IELTS Test...
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