IELTS band score estimate
Free IELTS level test: what's my band score?
A quick test of all four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Get an estimated band for each, then a study plan built around your scores.
What's in the test
1. Listening3 min
Two short recordings, 8 questions. Each recording plays once.
2. Reading4 min
One short passage, 8 questions.
3. Writing4 min
Write one paragraph giving your opinion.
4. Speaking2 minOptional
Answer 3 questions out loud. Needs a microphone.
Before you start
- Find a quiet place and use headphones if you can.
- Answer on your own, without a dictionary, so your score is accurate.
- Your bands are estimates from a short test. A full mock test gives an exact score.
How the free IELTS level test works
This short test gives you a starting point: an estimated band for listening, reading, writing and speaking, worked out from your answers in about 13 minutes. Take it when you don't have IELTS scores yet and want to know where you stand before you plan your study.
How your score is worked out
- Listening: Two short recordings with 8 questions, each played once like the real test. Your correct answers become a band on a short scale.
- Reading: One passage with 8 questions: True/False/Not Given, sentence completion and multiple choice.
- Writing: One paragraph giving your opinion, marked on grammar and vocabulary, the two criteria a short answer can show.
- Speaking (optional): Three questions answered out loud, transcribed and marked on fluency, vocabulary and grammar.
How accurate is it?
A 13-minute test can't place you to the exact half band, so you get an estimate with a likely range, for example 6.0 (likely 5.5–6.5). We round down rather than up, so the estimate errs on the low side: it's better to plan a little more study than to sit the exam too early. For an exact band in one skill, take a full mock test.
Level test or full mock test?
Free level test
13 minutes, all four skills, an estimated band for each. Best when you're starting out or don't have scores yet.
Full mock test
The real IELTS format, 30 to 60 minutes per skill, an exact band and feedback on every question. Best for checking progress before the exam.
See the free IELTS mock testsAfter the test
Your bands go straight into the study planner, which builds a day-by-day plan around your weakest skill. To see what each band means and how the overall band is worked out, read the band scores guide.
IELTS band scores explainedFree IELTS level test: common questions
Is the IELTS level test really free?
Yes. There's no sign-up and no card. Listening, reading and writing are marked every time. Speaking is marked on your first test, and up to 3 times a week with a free account.
How long does the IELTS level test take?
About 13 minutes: 3 for listening, 4 for reading, 4 for writing and 2 for the optional speaking part.
Do I need a microphone?
Only for the optional speaking part. You can skip it and still get a band for listening, reading and writing.
Is this an official IELTS score?
No. It's a practice estimate from ClayLingua, not an official IELTS result, so it can't be used for university or visa applications. Use it to see where you stand and plan your study.
What IELTS score do I need?
It depends on where you're applying. Most Thai international programmes ask for 6.0 to 6.5, and most master's courses abroad ask for 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Check the requirement of the course or visa you're aiming for.
Can I take the test again?
Yes, as often as you like. It's a good way to check progress after a few weeks of study, though a full mock test gives a more exact band.