The scores are based on an assessment of the test takers’ ability to use English in a variety of contexts, and they reflect the overall proficiency level of the test taker. The scores are rounded to the nearest whole or half band, based on the following convention:

• If your raw score is within 0.25 bands of the next whole band, the score is rounded up to the next whole band.
• If your raw score is within 0.75 bands of the next whole band, the score is rounded up to the next half band.

For example, let’s say a test taker’s raw score on the listening section is 6.3. This score is within 0.25 bands of the next whole band (6.5), so it would be rounded up to 6.5, or the next whole band.

On the other hand, let’s say a test taker’s raw score on the reading section is 7.8. This score is within 0.75 bands of the next whole band (8.0), so it would be rounded up to 8.0, or the next half band.

Here are a few more examples to illustrate the score-rounding convention for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

• If your raw score on the writing section is 5.6, this score is within 0.25 bands of the next whole band (5.5), so it would be rounded down to 5.5.
• If your raw score on the speaking section is 6.9, this score is within 0.75 bands of the next whole band (7.0), so it would be rounded up to 7.0.
• If your raw score on the listening section is 4.1, this score is within 0.25 bands of the next whole band (4.0), so it would be rounded down to 4.0.
• If your raw score on the reading section is 3.8, this score is within 0.75 bands of the next whole band (4.0), so it would be rounded up to 4.0.