• If your average score is 6.25, then effective score will be increased to 6.5
• If your average score is 6.75, then your effective score will increase to 7
• If your average score is 6.1, then your effective score will be down to 6

Component Band Scores: –

To score IELTS 8 band or higher, you need to first understand how scoring process is conducted.

• Reading: –

The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions and each right answer carry one mark. The Academic or General reading section are graded on the same scale. To calculate IELTS academic score, you need to know the different types of questions like multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching, and sentence completion. Whether your answer is correct or wrong, the marking is quite different in sections. For Academic reading, if the raw score is 15 then the band score will be 5 & if the raw score is 38, then the band score will be 8.

• Writing: –

IELTS writing test is marked by the examiner trained intensively and monitored to ensure consistency. Usually, two examiners will mark your writing test. However, in many cases there will be three or even four examiners to ensure accuracy in the writing test. The score in writing test completely depends on areas like- task response, coherence, cohesion, grammatical range and accuracy.

• Listening–

In the listening section, you need to answer 40 questions asked through audio clips. In this case, the marking method is quite different compared to reading and writing tests. You will get one mark for each correct answer. The total number of marks will determine band score. For instance, if the raw score is 16 then the band score is 5.  Similarly, if the raw score is 35 then the band score is 8.

• Speaking: –

In speaking section, the test is like a conversation, which you usually do in your everyday life. However, the only difference is, you will sit in a private room with the examiner to have the conversation. Initially, you may find hard to engage in the conversation with the stranger. So to make you feel comfortable, the IELTS examiner may slow down the conversation, or may speed up as per your conversation. You need to inform the examiner about it. Your speaking skills are marked against no. of criteria, including fluency & coherence in the language. In addition, the examiner will also check your grammar, pronunciation and accuracy.

How is overall IELTS Band score calculated?

The Overall Band Score is the average of the four component scores, close to whole or half band. Here, the component scores weighted equally. In case, the average of the four component ends with .25, the Overall Band Score gets rounded to the next half band. If it ends with .75, then the Overall Band Score rounded up to next whole band.

• Reading 6.5 + Writing 5 + Speaking 7 + Listening 6.5= 25

Divide 25 by 4 = 6.25.  0.25 will round off to next half band.

Overall Band Score will be 6.5.

• Reading 6.5 + Writing 5.5 + Speaking 6.0 + Listening 6.5 = 24.5

Divide 24.5 by 4 = 6.125. Ends with a fraction below .25 will round down to the whole band.

Overall band score = 6.0

• Reading 3.5 + Writing 4.0 + Speaking 4.0 + Listening 4.0 = 19.5

Divide 19.5 by 4 = 3.875

Ends with a fraction above .75 so round up to the next whole band.

Overall band score = 4.0

IELTS Scale-

There are total 9 total bands of IELTS and each defines candidate skills and calibre. Let us check the description of each score

• Band Score 9: – It describes that candidate is an expert. Use of English language by the candidate is all accurate and fluent. There is a high chance that the aspirant will get admission in their desired institute.
• Band Score 8: – It describes that candidate is a good user and has good command over the language with occasional unsystematic inaccuracies. In many cases, the aspirant may misunderstand but Aspirants can handle complex language.
• Band Score 7: – It describes that candidate is good and carries operational command of the language. Aspirant can handle complex language.
• Band Score 6: – The competent has effective command over the language despite some inaccuracy, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings.
• Band Score 5- Aspirant scoring this band is modest user and has partial command over the language. Candidate may likely to make small mistake but capable to handle basic communication.
• Band Score 4: – Falling under limited user, the aspirant shows problems in understanding and expression.
• Band Score 3- Extremely limited user and understands only general meaning in the familiar situations.
• Band Score 2- Intermittent user and has difficulty in understanding spoken and written English.
• Band Score 1- This non-user has no ability to use the language except few isolated words.
• Band Score 0- Did not attempt the test

Final Words-

Whether you want to score 8 band or more, it is important that you should undergo intense practice session and coaching from experts. We can help you to reach your target score, so that you can seek admission in preferred university.

The post Calculate your IELTS Band Score in Simple Steps! appeared first on Upgrade Higher.

There are many resources available online to help you learn how to write an essay, which you can follow to get your desired score.

The essay task is something that many aspirants find hard to follow. You get 40 minutes to complete 250 words essay. To get a good band score in writing section, you must practice it well in advance. Generally, the essay type question would consist of common topics. The topic could be from education to gender, health or environment.

Now, understand some writing essay tips for IELTS, which you can follow for a better band score: –

• Introduction: –

One of the essential essay writing tips is that introduction of an essay is very important. You need to start by repeating the question. However, this does not mean you should copy the question. Use synonyms to repeat the question. For example- if the essay question is- Some people believe that capital punishment should not be used. Others believe that it can be used for severe crimes.

You can open the sentence by using the synonyms by repeating the question in your words. You can write it as- It is a common belief that the death penalty is a harsh punishment. In modern society, it does not stand appropriate. However, there are an argument that most of the heinous crimes require severe punishment.

So you can see how well you can change the angle of the question by keeping the meaning the same.

• Giving your Opinion: –

Another tip is to give your opinion on the mentioned subject. Your opinion should carry value and practical enough to meet the viewpoint. You do not have to think on what the examiner will think about your answer. You need to concentrate on your vocab and sentence formation. Practice well in advance on sentence formation and the use of vocab. Moreover, make sure the flow of your content is appealing rather than deviating.

• Understanding the Question: –

Next is to understand the question that you want to answer with perfection. One of the mistakes students usually do is by not answering the matter thoroughly and end up not scoring more than 5 Band.  Look at the question and identify the type- whether it is a discussion, opinion, or a solution. This will help you to find the best answer to your question. You will be able to tackle the answer look favourable for you. Understand the keywords and place them precisely according to what examiner is expecting in the essay.

• Giving another side of the argument: –

When you are giving your opinion, you should look at the question from the opposite viewpoint of yours. This will show your examiner that you have the balance in writing your thoughts.

You can start your paragraph by writing: –

• It can also be argued that…
• Someone with opposite view would say that…
• However, there is also another side to this discussion.
• In contrast, some people hold the view that…
• Be familiarised with common topics: –

One of the vital tips is to get acquainted with the topic you are writing. Check out some of the previously asked essay questions to get the basic idea about the topics. This will help you to widen your vocabulary and will brainstorm your ideas. To make things easy to understand, the best is to read the newspaper or read online to increase your vocabulary. This will help you to stay updated with the world. Keep in mind that, IELTS does not just check your understanding of the topic, but also your vocabulary. Therefore, it is best to answer the question with clear thoughts.

• Body Paragraphs: –

When you are writing an essay, your answer should include at least 2-3 paragraphs. Every paragraph must contain one controlling idea, and a sentence to support your opinion. This will help the examiner to know that you are clear about your idea. Do practice about writing the body paragraphs.

• Keep Practising and get Feedback: –

One of the most effective essay-writing tips is to keep practicing and keep working on your feedback in advance. As mentioned above, there are many resources, which you can use for a practice purpose. If you have taken or taking IELTS Online Coaching India, then you will receive feedback from your mentor. During this, you will also be prepared in solving essay questions in the exam.  If you are not taking a help of someone then you should take because an expert or a mentor will make your path so easier that it will be cake walk for you and you won’t do the same mistakes that others are doing. You should contact now.

• Work on your Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: –

When we talk about writing fluent English, grammar, spelling, and punctuation matters the most. Practice well in each section to bring out the best during essay writing skills. Using formal language with the right placement of punctuation and having no error in spelling will make the examiner keep reading your answer.

Essential Writing Task 2 Tips: –

Since we are talking about fluency in English, you need to be perfect with the writing skills. We will now go through IELTS Essay writing tips for Essay Writing Task 2.

• Plan up your Essay: –

When you are opting to solve an essay question, then the best is to plan up what you are planning to write. A good plan is like a map that will guide you with the right essay and will make sure that the examiner understands your answer. It is nearly impossible for IELTS aspirants to write a good essay without planning.

• Think of Better Ideas: –

One of the biggest concerns IELTS aspirant has is to open up the writing paper, looking at the question, and to have no idea what to write.

• Writing Complex Sentences: –

Another major mistake IELTS aspirants do is by writing complex sentences. By writing overly ambitious grammar which end up making mistakes. This is because, Students think that the more complex and highly grammatical influenced essay answer will be the more chances of getting high band score. Examiner does not expect complex sentence, but your English fluency. However, you can use complex sentences, when giving the supporting example and explaining your main point.

• Completing your Answer: –

It is important not to leave your essay answer incomplete. Aspirants usually end up writing an incomplete answer due to lack of time. In such a situation, they end up writing a short sentence, which leaves out important points. If you are writing an incomplete answer, then your grammar will be affected. Instead of writing short sentences or bullet points, go for a separate paragraph with a better explanation.

Final Verdict: –

Above-mentioned points on how to write an essay can really help to get high score in this section. Proper practice and complete understanding about the topic can bring major impact on your score.

The post Eleven Tips to Master IELTS Essay Writing Section appeared first on Upgrade Higher.