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What is the difference between band scores and raw scores in the IELTS exam?

IELTS.WORK IELTS FAQ # 1711681663

In the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, there are two types of scores - band scores and raw scores.

Raw Scores: These are the actual number of correct answers a candidate gets on each section of the test. For example, if a candidate correctly answers all 40 questions in the Listening section, their raw score would be 40. Raw scores can range from 0 to the maximum possible score for each section (e.g., 49 for the Reading and Writing sections, 30 for the Speaking section, and 30 for the Listening section).

Band Scores: These are the standardized scores used by IELTS to provide a comparative measure of a candidate's overall English language proficiency. They range from 1 (non-user) to 9 (expert user). The band scores are calculated using the raw scores and taking into account the test taker's performance across all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). This process involves a complex algorithm that takes into account various factors such as consistency of performance across sections, difficulty level of the questions answered correctly, etc.

The main difference between band scores and raw scores is that while raw scores provide an absolute measure of a candidate's performance on each section of the test, band scores provide a relative measure of English language proficiency which can be compared against other test takers’ scores worldwide.

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