IELTS guides
Reference pages on how IELTS is actually marked — band conversion tables, the Writing and Speaking criteria, and the question types that cost most candidates their band. Written by an English teacher with 10+ years of experience who is also an active IELTS candidate.
Guides
- ScoringIELTS band score chart: raw score to bandHow many correct answers out of 40 you need for each band in Listening, Academic Reading and General Training Reading — plus the official rounding rule.
- WritingIELTS Writing Task 2 band descriptors, explainedWhat examiners actually reward in each of the four Writing criteria, and the specific change that moves an answer from band 6 to 7.
- WritingIELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): the overview ruleWhy a missing overview caps Task Achievement at band 5, and how to write one in a single sentence for any chart, map or process.
- SpeakingIELTS Speaking band descriptors, explainedFluency, Lexical Resource, Grammar and Pronunciation — what each one is really measuring, and the habits that quietly cost you half a band.
- ReadingIELTS True, False, Not Given: a decision procedureThe difference between False and Not Given, why Yes/No/Not Given is a different question, and a four-step method that removes the guessing.
Free tools
- Overall band calculatorEnter four skill bands and get your overall score with the official rounding rule applied.
- Writing band checkerPaste a Task 1 or Task 2 answer for an AI band estimate across all four criteria.
- Speaking band checkerRecord a Part 1, 2 or 3 answer and get feedback on Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar and Pronunciation.
- IELTS FAQShort answers on scoring, format, validity and what a good band actually is.
IELTS Ace is an independent preparation tool and is not affiliated with IELTS, British Council, IDP or Cambridge. Band requirements vary by institution and country — always confirm the exact score you need with your course, employer or visa authority.