| Interpretation of Results
Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a summary of the English of a candidate classified at that level. Overall Band Scores can be reported in either whole or half Bands.
The nine bands and their descriptive statements are as follows:
| 9 |
Expert User
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| 8 |
Very Good User
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| 7 |
Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| 6 |
Competent User
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 |
Modest User
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| 4 |
Limited User
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| 3 |
Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| 2 |
Intermittent User
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 |
Non User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| 0 |
Did not attempt the test
No assessable information provided. |
IELTS & Immigration
When the immigration officers review your application, if you have indicated that you speak, read and write English either "fluently" or "well", you might be required to take IELTS exam. The reason is that the points awarded to you for language ability may be a determining factor in the success of your application, you are being given the opportunity to obtain an independent assessment of your language proficiency by writing IELTS exam.
| IELTS BAND SCORE |
IMMIGRATION LANGUAGE CREDITS |
| 7.0 - 9.0 = fluently |
3 |
| 5.0 - 6.9 = well |
2 |
| 4.0 - 4.9 = with difficulty |
0 |
| Less than 4.0 = not at all |
0 |
Should you choose to write this test, the results will be used to determine whether an interview waiver is possible. You may still be elgible for a waiver even if your results on the IELTS are lower than your self-assessment on your application.
You will be advised of the test results and our waiver decision within three months of your test date. However, an IELTS test score of "well" or better will not guarantee an interview wiaver. An interview may be required to assess other factors in your application.
Also, to confirm the integrity of the IELTS test results, a significant percentage of applicants who meet the requirements for a waiver will be interviewed on a priority basis.
If you do not score "well" or better on the IELTS test, you will still be given the opportunity to have your English ability assessed at the time of interview
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