IELTS Listening Band Score: How Many Correct for Band 7/8/9

Quick Answer: To get Band 7 in IELTS Listening you typically need 30–32 correct answers out of 40. For Band 8 aim for 35–36 correct, and for Band 9 you need 39–40 correct. These numbers can shift slightly depending on test difficulty, but they are reliable benchmarks.

Table of Contents

How the IELTS Listening Band Score Works

Raw Score to Band Score Conversion Table

What Affects the Conversion?

Strategies to Reach Band 7, 8, 9

Band Score Comparison Table

How the IELTS Listening Band Score Works

The IELTS Listening test has 40 questions, and you get 1 mark for each correct answer. There is no negative marking. Your raw score (out of 40) is then converted to a band score from 0 to 9. Unlike the Reading test, the Listening conversion is the same for both Academic and General Training versions.

The conversion table is not fixed – it can vary slightly from test to test depending on overall difficulty. However, the IELTS partners (British Council, IDP, Cambridge) publish typical ranges. Below are the widely accepted approximate conversions.

Raw Score to Band Score Conversion Table

This table shows the approximate number of correct answers needed for each band score in Listening:

Band Score	Raw Score (out of 40)
9.0	39 – 40
8.5	37 – 38
8.0	35 – 36
7.5	33 – 34
7.0	30 – 32
6.5	26 – 29
6.0	23 – 25
5.5	18 – 22
5.0	16 – 17
4.5	13 – 15
4.0	10 – 12
3.5	7 – 9
3.0	5 – 6
2.5	3 – 4

Important: These numbers are based on official practice materials and historical data. In your real test, the exact threshold could be one or two marks higher or lower. Always aim for the upper end of the range to be safe.

What Affects the Conversion?

The band score boundaries are set after the test is taken by thousands of candidates. If the listening section is harder than average, the raw score needed for a given band may drop. If it’s easier, the threshold may rise. For example, on a very difficult test, Band 7 might require only 29 correct instead of 30.

Because you cannot predict the difficulty, your best strategy is to aim for the highest possible raw score. For Band 7, target 32 correct. For Band 8, target 36. For Band 9, hit 40.

Strategies to Reach Band 7, 8, 9

For Band 7 (30–32 correct):

Focus on Sections 1 and 2 – these are easier and usually include simple conversations and monologues.

Avoid losing marks on spelling and grammar (e.g., plural ‘s’).

Practice predicting the type of information (name, date, number, place) before you listen.

For Band 8 (35–36 correct):

Master Sections 3 and 4 – these are academic discussions and lectures.

Improve your ability to follow signposting words (“firstly”, “however”, “in contrast”).

Practice with 1.25x speed on audio to train your ear for faster speech.

For Band 9 (39–40 correct):

Achieve near-perfect concentration – no distraction, no hesitation.

Work on understanding different accents (British, Australian, American, Canadian).

Perfect your answer transfer – you get 10 minutes to transfer answers at the end. Use this time wisely, double-check spelling and word limits.

Band Score Comparison Table

This table shows what the examiner expects at each level.

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Understands main ideas but misses details. Often loses marks on spelling and word form. Can follow simple recordings but struggles with fast speech or complex accents.
7	Understands main ideas and most details. Can follow longer discussions. Makes occasional spelling errors but not enough to affect overall meaning. Good use of prediction.
8	Understands all main ideas and details, including implied meaning. Handles different accents and speeds. Very few errors – usually only one or two silly mistakes.
9	Understands everything perfectly – every word, every nuance, every accent. No spelling or grammar mistakes. Can follow academic lectures and complex arguments without any difficulty.

Sample Answers

Band 7: “I got 31 correct. I missed two questions in Section 3 because I didn’t catch the speaker’s opinion change. I also lost a point because I wrote ‘Febuary’ instead of ‘February’.” Band 8: “I scored 36 out of 40. One mistake was because I wrote ‘library’ when the speaker said ‘laboratory’ – I misheard due to the accent. Another error was a missing plural ‘s’. I am confident in Sections 1 and 2 but need more practice with Section 4 lectures.” Band 9: “I got 40/40. I never lose focus. I use the 30 seconds before each section to read questions carefully and predict answers. I write lowercase and then check capitals during the transfer time. Spelling is always double-checked.”

Common Mistakes

❌Not reading ahead: Many candidates fail to read the next set of questions before the audio starts. This leads to panic and missed answers.

❌Spelling errors: Even native speakers get caught by words like “accommodation”, “neighbourhood”, or “February”. The answer is marked wrong if the spelling is incorrect.

❌Ignoring word limits: If the instruction says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”, writing three words will make your answer invalid, even if the information is correct.

Top Tips

💡 Always read the questions for the next section during the 30–40 second break. This gives you time to predict answers and key vocabulary.

💡 Write your answers directly on the question paper first, then transfer to the answer sheet in the last 10 minutes. Use the transfer time to check spelling, plurals, and capital letters.

💡 Practice with podcasts and news from different English-speaking countries (BBC, NPR, ABC Australia) to get used to various accents.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. They provide full-length listening tests with answer keys and audio transcripts to help you track your raw score and band score.

FAQ

Q: Is the IELTS Listening band score the same for Academic and General Training? A: Yes. The same conversion table applies to both versions. Only the Reading test has different conversions. Q: Can I get Band 7 with 30 correct answers? A: Yes, 30 is usually the lower boundary for Band 7. But to be safe, aim for 32. If the test is easy, 30 might give you Band 6.5. Q: How many questions do I need for Band 8? A: Typically 35–36 correct. Some tests require 37 for Band 8 if the test is easier, so aim for 36+. Q: What happens if I don’t transfer my answers in time? A: You only have 10 minutes after the audio finishes. If you don’t finish, your answers on the question paper are not marked. Always prioritize transferring everything, even if you leave a few blank. Q: How important is spelling? A: Extremely important. A misspelled word is counted as wrong, even if it sounds correct. For example, ‘criteria’ will be marked incorrect if you write ‘criterias’.

Key Takeaways

✅Band 7: 30–32 correct; Band 8: 35–36; Band 9: 39–40.

✅Spelling, word limits, and reading ahead are three critical factors.

✅Use the 10-minute transfer period wisely to review your answers.

✅Practice with varied accents and speeds to build confidence.

Related Posts:

[IELTS Reading Band Score: What You Need for Band 7/8/9]()

[How to Improve Your IELTS Listening Score by 1 Band in 2 Weeks]()

[Common IELTS Listening Mistakes and How to Avoid Them]()