What is 30 out of 40 in IELTS listening?
Band score 7 = 30 out of a raw score of 40. Band score 8 = 35 out of a raw score of 40.
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Example 1:
Listening | 6.5 |
---|---|
Speaking | 7 |
Average of four components | 6.25 |
Overall score | 6.5 |
The score 6.5 is borderline B2/C1. The real-world level of performance represented by the result has not changed. It is for institutions to decide whether they wish to change their requirements, if alignment to a particular level of the CEFR is critical (see response to q5 above).
Overall IELTS band score 5.5 Overall Cambridge English Scale score of 162, achievable in B2 First or C1 Advanced.
Band Score | 9 | 6.5 |
---|---|---|
Score / 40 | 39-40 | 26-29 |
Band Score | 9 | 5.5 |
---|---|---|
Score / 40 | 40 | 27-29 |
...
Section band scores.
Listening | |
---|---|
7 | 30 |
8 | 35 |
With an IELTS score 5.5 good or bad, you can be considered a competent speaker, meaning you can understand and speak English regularly rather than at a high level. Not too bad, there are many people who have a harder time understanding English but apply to universities abroad and are accepted.
5.5 might not be a great IELTS score, but you still have hundreds of opportunities to explore. Go through the article to understand better. You can also reach out to our study-abroad experts who can help you find the right course and college that fit your profile.
They are designed to be simple and easy to understand. They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). All formats of IELTS use the same scoring system.
What happens if I get 6.75 in IELTS?
The candidate's overall band score is rounded to the nearest whole or half band. If your overall score is an average of 6.75, your score will increase to 7. If your overall score is an average of 6.25, your score will increase to 6.5.
If your overall score is an average of 6.25, your score will be increased to 6.5. The score 6.25 is actually precisely between band 6 and 6.5, so in this case IELTS will push it up to the nearest score which is 6.5. If your overall score is an average of 6.75, your score will be increased to 7.

IELTS | PTE-A overall | IELTS & PTE-A Writing |
---|---|---|
6.5 | 58.5 | 74.1 |
7 | 66.3 | 82.3 |
7.5 | 74.6 | 87.5 |
8 | 82.3 | 89.4 |
The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User"). Let's take a look at what you should be able to communicate at the various levels set out by CERF.
IELTS Band Score | CEFR Level |
---|---|
8.0 | C1 |
7.5 | |
7.0 | |
6.5 | B2 |
Level B2 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
IELTS C1 level score ranges from 7.0 to 8.0 bands. The CEFR C1 IELTS level candidates are considered advanced users of the English language. Candidates obtaining CEFR C1 IELTS are able to comprehend long and complex texts and recognize implicit meanings.
B1 (Pre-Intermediate) B2 (Intermediate) C1 (Upper-Intermediate) C2 (Advanced)
You should go by a rule of thumb where the IELTS 7.5 band score equates to the C1 level in the CEFR. Similarly, 4.5 as the IELTS band score will equate to the B1 level in the CEFR.
Band Score | 9 | 6.5 |
---|---|---|
Score / 40 | 39-40 | 26-29 |
Is IELTS 7.5 B2 or C1?
IELTS Band Score | CEFR Level |
---|---|
8.0 | C1 |
7.5 | |
7.0 | |
6.5 | B2 |
Level B2 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
Test | Score equivalent to the B2 level¹ |
---|---|
IELTS | 5.5 - 6.0 |
TOEIC (R&L) Total | 785 - 940 |
Cambridge English Scale | 160 - 179 |
TOEFL iBT | 72 - 94 |
You need a minimum band score of 8.5 to be considered C2 with 100% certainty. An 8 band is borderline, and different universities consider that either C1 or C2.
For most overseas students, IELTS Band 7 is the ultimate goal. A score of 7.0 or 7.5 on the IELTS indicates that your English is sufficient to enroll in any university programme, including those at elite Oxbridge and Ivy League universities.
...
Section band scores.
Listening | |
---|---|
7 | 30 |
8 | 35 |
The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User"). Let's take a look at what you should be able to communicate at the various levels set out by CERF.
CEFR Level | Level of Proficiency | Corresponding IELTS Score Band |
---|---|---|
C2 | Expert User | 8.5 – 9.0 |
C1 | Very Good User | 8 |
Good User | 7.0 – 7.5 | |
B2 | Competent User | 6.0 – 6.5 |
Level C1 corresponds to proficient users of the language, i.e. those able to perform complex tasks related to work and study.
Level B2 corresponds to a more advanced, more independent level than previous levels. A B2 user can communicate easily and spontaneously in a clear and detailed manner. This is not yet an experienced speaker, but a B2 user is able to understand and be understood in most situations.
Is B2 a good grade?
Students achieving marks between 95 to 100 will be graded as A1, 90 to 95 as A2. Grade for marks between 80 to 89 is B1, 70 to 79 is B2, 60 to 69 is B3, 50 to 59 is C1, 40 to 49 is C2, 33 to 39 is C3. Marks below 33 will be graded as E (needs improvement). for the students.
Reaching B2 is generally considered by most people as having basic fluency. You'll have a working vocabulary of around 4000 words. It's not always effortless and it's not always perfect, but neither you nor your native speaking partners are having a really hard time in most circumstances at this point.