Good IELTS Score

IELTS (International English Language Testing System), an English proficiency test is designed to evaluate the language aptness of the candidates who intended to study, work or migrate in the non-native lands where English is used as the language of communication and this test as a requirement, and the IELTS score plays an important factor for candidates looking for abroad studies or wants to migrate to English speaking countries.

Since 1939, British Council, IDP; IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment have jointly managed to fulfil many living dreams with the frequent and efficient conduct of this test.
By taking this test, you are just a step away from your ambition but the final key, that is going to unlock the notion is a good IELTS Score.
But before we start discussing a good IELTS Score, it’s necessary to know what an IELTS band score actually is.

Register for FREE with Exam-Practice and Improve your IELTS score

What is an IELTS Band Score?

The IELTS evaluator ensures about the accurate evaluation by applying the strict criteria that help in reflecting the exact level where your communication or writing skills stand. It follows a 9-Band Scoring, though there are no set bars to be called as “failed” or “approved”. In order to understand these score bands, let’s have a quick look at British Council Official description of different bands to get a general idea about these band scores:

IELTS score ranges between 0-9 (Non- user to expert). One more thing that can be added in the range is .5 It means your score can also be 6.5, 7.5 or 8.5. Each of the four skills on which a candidate is evaluated i.e. speaking, reading, writing and listening gets an individual score band which ranges between the same.

At last, you will also get a consolidate band score of your whole test and this score will represent your overall language ability.

This is the foremost criteria used by the vast number of institutions and organizations to find out whether or not your English is ‘good enough’ for the eligibility – in immigration, admission in the International University, for hiring etc. More importantly, the three of them can only be possible if you have a good score.

What is a good IELTS Score?

IELTS test is accepted as an evidence of English proficiency by over 9000 organizations in more than 135 countries for education, immigration, and professional purposes

Among those 135 countries, depending upon the demanded IELTS score, it is mostly accepted by Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions, by over 3000, academic institutions in the United States, and by various professional organizations across the globe.

Good Score for Top Universities

What constitutes a good IELTS score varies from country to country, from university to university and at last company to company. So, let’s get ready to witness some varied score requirements by some top-notch schools across the globe.

1.Cambridge University

The University of Cambridge (called as Cambridge University) is a public research university in Cambridge, England.

The time when millions of talented student across the globe, are busy scratching their heads to get admission, the university is busy setting its own high bars.
In 2019-20, Cambridge requires an overall score of 7.5 for undergraduates.

Though, in undergraduate programmes, the universities usually require an score band of 7.0 or above in each respective skills.

In case, you are wondering about the required IELTS score of the graduate programmes, it is still not officially announced by the university. But till last year i.e. for 2018-19 applications it was 7.0.

2. Oxford University

The University of Oxford, a mild dream place for every future researcher located in Oxford, England. In order to get its feet in this well-reputed school, a non-native needs to meet its requirement.

In 2018, Oxford University requires an average of 7.0 score band in each of the testing skill. According to which an overall 7.5 IELTS Score Band for undergraduate programmes.

As we know nothing is constant but change. So, Oxford is all set to make great changes in eligibility criteria for the English Language in 2019.
In order to get admission, you have to meet up with any one of the two IELTS requirements stated here:

• Standard level IELTS Score: Standard level score for Oxford undergraduate programme will be 7.0 for the overall test with the minimum average of 6.5 in each testing skill.

• This Standard level IELTS score is required for the entry into the following undergraduate programmes: Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics.

• Higher Level IELTS Score: Other than all the undergraduate programmes which are stated above, will require the higher level score of 7.5 for the overall test with a minimum average of 7.0 in each testing skill.

For more briefs, on current and future undergraduate IELTS standards, take a glance on Oxford official guidelines on English Language requirements. In the case of graduate students applying to it, the “standard level” and “higher level” which will apply to undergraduate students next year are already in effect. In order to see the which graduate degree require Standard IELTS Score and which will require Higher IELTS score, see Oxford official graduate course catalogue.

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Though this well-known university doesn’t accept the IELTS test at the undergraduate level for the graduate students, the current requirement to get admission is 7.0 IELTS Score.  Still, some departments are said to require a high IELTS Score as well.

Good IELTS Score in Australia

In order to evaluate your linguistic skills, the Australian government has different categories where a good IELTS Score falls.

They have five major categories and each visa type has its own minimum requirements.

• Functional: An overall average score of 4.5

• Vocational: A minimum of 5.0 IELTS Score in each testing skill (Listening, Writing, Reading and Speaking)

• Competent: A minimum of 6.0 IELTS Score in each category.

• Proficient: A minimum of 7.0 IELTS Score in each category.

• Superior: A minimum of 8.0 IELTS Score in each category. (This is called to be as a good IELTS Score)

So here comes a gratuity part, eligibility for migration into Australia is based on a point system.

If your English falls into proficient or superior, you will get extra points (10 & 20 respectively) that strengthen your application.
For example:

• For the 2018-2019 academic year, the University of Melbourne requires an average IELTS score of 7 for undergraduate programmes. Whereas for graduate programmes, IELTS Score requirements vary from department to department. Some of Melbourne’s graduate degree programs require an IELTS Score of 6.5, while others may require IELTS Score of 7 or more.

Good IELTS Score in Canada

Just like in Australia, the IELTS Score requirement depends on the kind of visa you are applying.

This point can be clear with this instance, on the Canadian government’s website it is clearly mentioned that the skilled worker visa has different requirements for each applicant type.

IELTS Score is mentioned in CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) which is used to represent English and French language throughout the country.
For example:

• University of Alberta: In a 2a 018-2019 academic year, students need an IELTS Score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 IELTS score in each testing skill. According to recent data which indicates that graduate students also requires a 6.5 IELTS Score, and minimum requirement of these core in each testing skill is 5.0

Good IELTS Score in the UK

In the UK, for work visas, the requirements depend on the tier you are applying for and on the period of your stay in the country.

There are two tiers and they are much varied from each other. In tier 1 and 2, those who are seeking permission to stay must have B1 and B2 respectively.
Council of Europe’s Common European Framework (A1-C2) have described these requirements.
Universities and organizations can might “sponsor” your immigration, and they can profoundly decide the acceptable IELTS Scores.
For example:

• University of Birmingham: In this university, a good IELTS score varies from undergraduate to graduate program. It requires an overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score in each testing skill is 5.5. Whereas Birmingham’s most competitive degree programs require an overall score of 7.0 and even 7.0 in each testing skill too. (It might also possible that some academic programs will accept applications with just a 5.5 IELTS Score and at least of 5.0 in each testing skill.

Good IELTS Score for the USA

Who doesn’t like surprises? So, here’s a big one for you. U.S. government is the only one who hasn’t set the minimum English language requirement bars for visa applicants.

But if you are intended to get admitted in any university programme then you need to polish your linguistic skills.
However, Academic IELTS for every university and organization often varies for the undergraduate and postgraduate programme.
For example:

• University of South California: For Ph.D. applicants university requires an overall IELTS Score of 7.0 or higher (with no less than 6.0 in each testing skill), while Master’s students should have a minimum overall score of 6.5 (and no less than 6.0 in each category). All undergraduate applicants must have an overall average of 7.0 or higher.

So seeing the above data and requirements of different countries as well as universities, we get to know that this 9 band system worldwide accepted so the interpretation of results is fairly consistent and reliable.

How to Improve IELTS Score?

As much as you have a fair chance to clear this test and enter into your dream university or workplace.
There are equal chances that you might not meet the required standards of the university or workplace.
But I guess, that isn’t the end neither to your ambitions nor to your zeal.

There are many ways to improve but the two that top the list are:

Practice English on Routine Basis
As you already know, this test is outlined to evaluate your English skills. Anything and everything that takes to make anybody perfect is practice.
“Practice makes a man perfect”, so believe in this saying and start working. If you are not in your IELTS Practice session, just go through regular magazines and English websites.
Try to expose yourself to the language as much as possible.

Get Familiar with the test
Make sure that you have a perfect proposition about all the four testing skills; Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
You must be aware of the timing format, types of passages and an audio track those used to test your skill in the exam.

If you want to know more about IELTS please read our article about “What is the IELTS Test“

At last, this IELTS test is the first move in the ride of your ambitions, but the one that is going to complete the journey is a good IELTS Score. Hope you will make a high fly. All The Best!