Are you planning to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam? If yes, then you should know what is a good IELTS score.
The IELTS exam is a widely recognized English language proficiency test, and getting a good score can open the path to new opportunities, such as studying or working abroad or settling in an English-speaking country.
This blog will discuss what is a good IELTS score for different countries.
What Is IELTS?
Before you know about the good IELTS score for different countries, you must understand the IELTS exam properly.
The IELTS exam is a standardized test to measure students’ English language proficiency. It assesses your ability to listen, read, write, and speak English and will give an overall band score on a scale of 0 to 9.
There are a total of four modules in the IELTS exam:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
You will get an individual score for each module and an overall score based on your score in all four modules.
Now let’s move to the main focus of our blog, “What is a good IELTS score?” But before that, you must understand that a good IELTS score may vary depending on your country, course, and university choice.
Here I will discuss the good IELTS score for different countries;
- USA
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
What Is A Good IELTS Score For The USA
Here, I will discuss the required or good IELTS scores for different top universities in the USA.
| S. No. | University Name | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Undergraduate) | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Postgraduate) |
| 1 | California Institute of Technology | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | Harvard University | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | Stanford University | 7 | 7 |
| 4 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 7 | 7 |
| 5 | Princeton University | Minimum 8 band score in IELTS speaking | Minimum 8 band score in IELTS speaking |
| 6 | University of California, Berkeley | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | Yale University | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | The University of Chicago | 7 Overall, with not less than 7 in each module for maximum courses | 7 Overall, with not less than 7 in each module for maximum courses |
| 9 | Columbia University | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania | 7 | 7 |
So here you can see that most universities in the USA require International students to score 7 on the IELTS exam. So you can say that a good IELTS score is 7 band.
Also, read: Universities in USA without application fee
What Is A Good IELTS Score For The UK
Here is the detail about the required IELTS score for the top universities in the UK.
| S. No. | University Name | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Undergraduate) | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Postgraduate) |
| 1 | University of Oxford | 7 | 7.5 |
| 2 | University of Cambridge | 7 | 7.5 |
| 3 | London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 7 | 7 |
| 4 | University of St Andrews | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 5 | Imperial College London | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 6 | Durham University | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | UCL (University College London) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 8 | University of Bath | 6.5 | 7 |
| 9 | University of Warwick | 6 | 6.5 |
| 10 | University of Edinburgh | 6.5 | 6.5 |
The average IELTS score required for most UK universities is 6.5 or higher, so if you are planning to go to the UK, 6.5 is a good score for you.
Also, read: Is it safe to study in the UK
What Is A Good IELTS Score For Canada
Here is the list of top universities in Canada with their required IELTS score for UG or PG courses.
| S. No. | University Name | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Undergraduate) | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Postgraduate) |
| 1 | University of Toronto | 7 overall, not less than 6.5 in each module | 7 overall, not less than 6.5 in each module |
| 2 | University of British Columbia | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 3 | McGill University | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 4 | McMaster University | 6.5 overall, not less than 5.5 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 5.5 in each module |
| 5 | Université de Montréal | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 6 | University of Alberta | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 7 | University of Ottawa | 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in the writing module | 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in the writing module |
| 8 | University of Calgary | 6.5 (For nursing 7 band overall with 7 in each module) | Check the official website |
| 9 | University of Waterloo | 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6 in listening and reading and 6.5 in speaking and writing | 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6 in listening and reading and 6.5 in speaking and writing |
| 10 | Western University | 6.5 | 6.5 |
You can get admission to most top universities with a score of 6.5 in Canada, so the answer to the question, “What is a good score for Canada is 6.5.”
Also, read: Universities in Canada without application fee
What Is A Good IELTS Score For Australia
Here is a list of top Australian Universities with their required IELTS score to find out the good IELTS score for Australia.
| S. No. | University Name | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Undergraduate) | Required Or Good IELTS Score (Postgraduate) |
| 1 | Australian National University | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 2 | University of Melbourne | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 3 | University of Sydney | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 4 | University of New South Wales | 6.0 overall, not less than 5.5 in each module | 6.0 overall, not less than 5.5 in each module |
| 5 | Monash University | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 6 | University of Western Australia | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 7 | University of Adelaide | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module | 6.5 overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 8 | University of Technology Sydney | 7 Overall, with a minimum of 7 in writing (For some courses, the requirement is 6.5 with 6 in writing) | 7 Overall, with a minimum of 7 in writing (For some courses, the requirement is 6.5 with 6 in writing) |
| 9 | The University of Canterbury | 6 Overall, not less than 5.5 in each module | 6.5 Overall, not less than 6 in each module |
| 10 | Central Queensland University | 6 Overall, not less than 5.5 in each module | 6.5 Overall, not less than 6 in each module |
Most of the top Australian universities require a minimum of 6.5 band score in IELTS, so you can say the score greater than or equal to 6.5 is a good IELTS score for Australia.
Also, read: Highest paying jobs in Australia
Tips to Achieve a Good IELTS Score
After knowing what is a good IELTS score, you must know some tips to get a good IELTS score. To increase your chances of achieving a good IELTS score, you must consider the following tips while preparing for the IELTS exam:
Understand the Test Format
Get a complete understanding of the IELTS exam format of each module. Learn all the basic skills required for different IELTS exam modules. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions for each exam. This information will help you tailor your preparation and approach for the exam accordingly.
Improve Language Skills
Focus on improving your language skills in all four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Practice regularly to improve your vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and comprehension skills. Ask for feedback from teachers, tutors, or any native English speaker you know to find the areas you need improvement.
Take Practice Tests
You must take the practice test or mock tests at regular intervals. This will help you understand your current level and how much practice or time you need to get a good IELTS score. You can take advantage of the free mock tests available on the official website or other websites.
Learn Time Management
Time management is an essential skill a student must have to complete all the IELTS exam modules on time. It is the most required skill for the IELTS reading and writing module. Try to finish your reading and writing so that you will have at least 5 minutes in both modules to review your work.
Conclusion
In this blog, I have explained what is a good IELTS score for the USA, UK, Canada, Australia. A good IELTS score may vary with your chosen country, course, and university.
There are chances that a good IELTS for a country is not enough or a good IELTS score for other countries.
On average, 6.5 can be considered a good IELTS score because some top universities in every country can grant you a visa on this score.
To get a good IELTS score, you must follow some tips like understanding the exam, improving language skills, taking practice tests, and learning time management.
I hope this blog has cleared all your queries about a good IELTS score, but if you still have any questions or queries, please contact our experts.
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FAQs
What is the highest possible IELTS score?
The highest possible IELTS score a student can get is 9.0 bands, User with this band score has an expert English language level in all four modules.
Can I retake the IELTS exam if I am not satisfied with my score?
Yes, you can retake the IELTS exam if you are not satisfied with your score. With IELTS one skill retake, you can even retake only one module of the IELTS exam if you have taken the IELTS on a computer test.
Do all universities require the same IELTS score?
No, each university sets its own IELTS score requirements. It is important to check the specific IELTS score requirements of the universities on the university’s official website.
