What is the IELTS Marking Criteria?
Introduction
Knowing what the IELTS exam criteria are and how you will be graded goes a long way toward achieving your desired band score. The IELTS exam consists of four different sections – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Moreover, there are two different IELTS exams, the academic test and general training test. For both tests, the speaking and listening are the same; however, reading and writing differs between them.
Listening Test
Marking:
Students have 30 minutes to complete the listening test. For this part of the IELTS exam, students will need to listen to four recordings and answer 40 questions based on what they hear. Each answer is worth one mark, for a total of 40. See the graph beside this text for a clear breakdown of points.
Band score breakdown
Skills Tested
The listening section will test the following skills:
- Comprehension of main ideas and specific factual information.
- Identifying the opinions, attitudes, and purpose of a speaker.
- Following the development of a conversation, speech, and argument.
Reading Test
Marking
Students will have 60 minutes to complete the reading section of the IELTS exam. Students taking either the General Training or Academic test must read three passages and answer a total of 40 questions.
The General Training reading test passages will relate to everyday situations and be the appropriate level for the average English reader. On the other hand, the Academic reading test is more difficult. Each of the three passages is longer and appropriate for someone entering an undergraduate or graduate program. While the passages used are meant for non-experts to read, they will be on academic subjects. The texts will often contain non-verbal information (graphs and charts).
General Training Academic
Skills Tested
The Reading Section of the IELTS Test accesses:
Comprehension of main ideas while reading.
The ability to identify bits of information and details.
Understanding inferences and the implied meaning of texts.
Identifying the author’s opinions, attitudes, and purpose.
Following the development of an argument.
Writing
Marking
Students are marked on the following:
Fluency and Coherence: How clear and structured is your writing?
Lexical Resource: How good is your vocabulary?
Task Achievement: Did you address the question correctly?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: How proper was your grammar?
Skills Tested
Academic
Task 1
Organize, present, and compare data.
Describe the stages of procedures and processes.
Coherently describe an object or event.
Tell how something works.
Task 2
Present a solution to a problem.
Justify and support their opinions.
Compare and contrast evidence.
Evaluate and challenge ideas.
General Training
Task 1
Engage in personal correspondence.
Express needs, wants, likes, and dislikes.
Express opinions and complaints.
Task 2
Provide general information.
Describe a problem and present a solution.
Evaluate and challenge ideas.
Speaking Test
Marking
Students are marked on the following:
Fluency and Coherence: How clear and structured is your writing?
Lexical Resource: How good is your vocabulary?
Pronunciation: How clearly can you speak?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: How proper is your grammar?
Skills Tested
A large variety of skills are tested during the speaking section. Can you express ideas and opinions on everyday topics and experiences? Speak in length about a given topic? The test giver also wants to know if you have the speaking skills and vocabulary to justify your opinions and discuss issues.
