How Listening is scored
You answer 40 questions across four sections. Each correct answer is worth one mark, and there is no penalty for a wrong answer — so you should attempt every question, even if you are guessing. Your total out of 40 (the 'raw score') is then converted to a band from the table below. The same conversion is used for both the Academic and General Training tests.
| Raw score / 40 | Band |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 10–12 | 4.0 |
备注
This is the widely-published indicative conversion. The exact number of marks needed for each band can vary by a mark or so between test versions, so treat the boundaries as a close guide rather than a fixed guarantee.
How many answers do you need?
- Band 6.0 — about 23 correct out of 40.
- Band 6.5 — about 26 correct.
- Band 7.0 — about 30 correct.
- Band 7.5 — about 32 correct.
- Band 8.0 — about 35 correct.
Notice the jump from band 6.5 to 7.0: you need roughly four more correct answers to cross it, and those marks are often lost to spelling and transfer errors rather than to not hearing the answer.
Marking rules that cost points
- Spelling must be correct. A word that is spelled wrong is marked wrong, even if it is clearly the right answer.
- Grammar has to fit. If the answer is a plural, you must write the plural; a missing 's' can lose the mark.
- Respect the word limit. 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' means a three-word answer scores zero, however accurate.
- Numbers and dates follow the instructions on screen — write them the way the question asks.
- Both British and American spellings are accepted, so consistency matters more than which variety you choose.
The gap that decides your band
Most people at band 6.5 can hear band-7 answers — they just lose them to spelling, word limits, and rushing the transfer. Practising with instant, answer-by-answer feedback is the fastest way to find and close that gap.
要点总结
- 40 questions, one mark each, no penalty for wrong answers — always guess.
- The raw-to-band table is identical for Academic and General Training.
- Roughly 30/40 is band 7.0 and 23/40 is band 6.0.
- Spelling, plurals and word limits are marked strictly — accuracy on the answer sheet is worth real bands.
Practise Listening with instant band feedback
Try a free Listening test常见问题
Is the IELTS Listening score the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. Listening is a common module — the same test and the same raw-score-to-band conversion apply to both Academic and General Training candidates.
How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in Listening?
Around 30 out of 40 correct answers typically corresponds to band 7.0. Band 7.5 needs about 32, and band 8.0 about 35. Exact boundaries can shift by a mark between test versions.
Do spelling mistakes count against me in Listening?
Yes. An answer with a spelling error is marked incorrect, even if the meaning is obvious. Both British and American spellings are accepted, but the word must be spelled correctly.
Is there negative marking in IELTS Listening?
No. You are not penalised for a wrong answer, so you should write something for every question — an educated guess can only help.