⚡ TL;DR
Proven strategies for this IELTS Listening question type. Includes prediction techniques and common traps to avoid.
Originally published July 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will be looking at how you can understand the IELTS Listening Test Band Scores for both the Academic Test and The General Training Test.
The IELTS Listening Test has 40 questions with each correct answer given one mark. The score you get out of 40 is then converted into a band score. The scores are reported in both whole and half bands.
The table below shows the average number of marks required to attain a certain band score in the IELTS Listening Test.
| Number of correct answers | IELTS Listening Band Score |
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-31 | 7 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5 |
| 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 11-12 | 4 |
IELTS Listening Band Score
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How IELTS Listening Band Scores Are Calculated
Your IELTS Listening band score is based on the number of correct answers out of 40 questions. There is no negative marking — incorrect answers simply receive zero marks. The raw score is then converted to a band score on the 1-9 scale.
Score Conversion Table
| Correct Answers | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9.0 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8.0 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-31 | 7.0 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6.0 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5.0 |
| 13-15 | 4.5 |
Note: These are approximate conversions. IELTS uses a variable conversion table that may differ slightly between test versions to account for difficulty.
Tips to Improve Your Listening Score
- Read questions before each section plays: Use the preparation time to underline keywords and predict answer types.
- Listen for paraphrases: The audio will rarely use the exact words from the question. Train yourself to recognise synonyms and restatements.
- Watch for distractors: Speakers may mention an answer and then correct themselves. Listen for phrases like “actually,” “I mean,” or “no, wait.”
- Practise with varied accents: IELTS Listening features British, Australian, North American, and other English accents.
- Check spelling and grammar: Misspelled answers are marked incorrect. Pay attention to singular/plural forms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing more words than the instruction allows (e.g., writing three words when “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS” is specified)
- Missing the answer while writing a previous one — keep pace with the recording
- Not transferring answers carefully to the answer sheet in the final 10 minutes
- Leaving answers blank — always make a guess as there is no penalty for wrong answers
Originally published on IELTS Achieve. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.