Getting good scores in IELTS requires hard work and dedication. Is it good to get 7.5 scores on the IELTS exam?
A score of 7.5 on the IELTS indicates that your English is adequate for admission to any university in the world. It’s an excellent score and would guarantee you entrance into even ivy league institutions.
We can go over the 7.5 band score in IELTS and how to get there in more detail.
What level is a 7.5 band score in IELTS?
The IELTS band scores are calculated using the Common European Framework of Reference ( CERF). The CERF is an international standard for describing an individual’s language ability. It rates a person’s language skills on a six-point scale ranging from A1 (beginners) to C2 ( advanced). Each IELTS band score is worth 25% of your total IELTS band score, so no section of the test is more weighted than the others.
An IELTS score of 7.5 falls at the C1 range in the CERF. C1 means that the candidate is a proficient user who can handle complex tasks related to work or study.
It is important to understand the language skills that an individual at the C1 level ( 7.5 band in IELTS) possesses If you want to achieve this band range.A skilled C1 user can:
- Fully comprehend implicit meanings in a wide range of demanding, longer texts.
- Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. He/ she can also produce well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects and exhibit the right use of connectors and cohesive devices.
- He or she can express himself or herself spontaneously without having to search for the appropriate words.
Examine the band descriptor provided below to get an idea of what overall skills each band range corresponds to:
Is a 7.5 score required for a study visa?
Most colleges require a valid IELTS score if you intend to study abroad. IELTS band scores for study visas often fall between 6 and 7.5 bands. Few courses, such as literature and linguistic or research-based courses with a strong focus on language, require for a band greater than 7.5. The necessary band score varies on a number of variables, including:
1. The country that you choose:
Each nation has different requirements for study visas. Numerous colleges and universities in Canada would accept a band score of 6 or 6.5 overall. However, most admissions in Australia or New Zealand demand a score of at least 7 bands.
2. The course that you choose.
For various courses, different IELTS test scores are required. The required scores for a regular undergraduate or postgraduate course would range from 6 to 7. However, the minimum scores needed for professional registration courses would be significantly higher. For instance, in order to be eligible for teacher registration courses in Australia, a candidate must receive 8 bands throughout all four modules.
3. The level of study
A level 5 (diploma) or level 6 (degree with honours) programme would have lower IELTS band requirements than a level 7 (Master’s degree) or level 8 (PhD/Master of Research) course. A postgraduate course often requires a 7 or 7.5 overall band score, but an undergraduate course typically requires a maximum of 6.5 band scores.
Is a 7.5 score required for permanent residency?
Only Canada and Australia currently offer direct permanent residency to applicants. Countries like New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom grant PR to residents who stay in those countries on permanent visa-sponsored jobs for 2 to 5 years.
The scores for PR applications are different for these countries and depend on various factors, including profession, work experience, age, etc. An individual should take the General IELTS exam for PR purposes. The standard score needed for Permanent Residency is 7778 ( Listening 8, Reading 7, Writing 7 and Speaking 7).
People who want to migrate can apply for a variety of visas in both Canada and Australia. Canada provides PR to less populous provinces as well as certain trade visas to candidates with IELTS band scores as low as 6.
For more information regarding the different class and sub class visa’s and visa requirements visit the official government website of Australia
and Canada.
Is it hard to get a 7.5?
The difficulty in securing a particular IELTS band exclusively depends upon your language skills. As 7.5 band score corresponds to C1 proficiency user, thus achieving this level would require considerable effort.
Understanding the IELTS scoring criteria is important for evaluating your current level of English language skills. It will also help you understand the areas where you are weak and work towards improving them and reaching your target of an overall score of 7.5. The band score is determined by your performance in four key areas of language:
- Fluency – The most important language component assessed in your IELTS speaking is fluency. Native-like fluency means speaking English with the same flow, pace, and continuity as you do in your native language. A native-like fluency level will ensure a high score.
- Lexical resources– Lexical resources refer to your ability to use both relevant and high-frequency (less common) vocabulary in your writing and speaking. Using words with full flexibility and precision across topics and naturally and accurately using idiomatic language will earn you high marks in both the writing and speaking modules.
- Grammatical range and accuracy– The ability to use correct and precise grammar with control is referred to as grammatical accuracy. Grammatical range refers to your ability to convey intended meaning using a variety of sentence constructions, tenses, and other items.
It’s also important to try to keep your grammatical errors to a minimum. Learn to recognise common errors (e.g., articles, prepositions, subject/verb agreement) so that you can ensure that your sentences are correct. If you have a good grasp of your grammar, then you are halfway done to secure a score of 7.5 band.
- Pronunciation– pronunciation is another key element that decides your IELTS speaking score. The easy flow of words with adequate intonation, stress, pause, and clear enunciation of individual sounds is referred to as pronunciation.
Keeping track of how you perform on these elements is important because an examiner will look into them and give you band scores. As a result, it will help you recognize your shortcomings and design a plan to improve on specific focus areas.
Refer to the speaking and writing band descriptors below to get a clear idea of how you should perform to achieve a specific band score. (Image Source)
How to get 7.5 band in IELTS?
Gaining a 7.5 band score is an achievable goal if you create a workable plan and work diligently toward it. For this, you must aim to secure a 7.5 in all the modules of the exam.Let’s take a look at the techniques you can use to get a 7.5 in all four modules.
Listening
The IELTS listening module contains 40 questions, each worth one mark, for a total listening score of 40 points. For a 7. 5 band, you should aim for 33-34 correct answers. Make sure you write the correct spellings to avoid losing points unnecessarily. The marks assigned to each band score are listed in the table below.
| IELTS LISTENING SCORE | Band |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 |
| 33-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-32 | 7 |
| 27-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-26 | 6 |
| 19-22 | 5.5 |
| 15-18 | 5 |
| 13-14 | 4.5 |
| 10-12 | 4 |
| 8-9 | 3.5 |
| 6-7 | 3 |
| 4-5 | 2.5 |
Reading
The reading module also includes 40 questions, each worth one mark, for a total reading score of 40. There is a difference in the reading module score and band depending on whether you take the Academic or General IELTS test. Academic IELTS requires 33-34 correct answers for a 7.5 score, whereas General IELTS requires 36 marks. Look at the table below to see how the scores and bands for both of these tests are altered.
| IELTS ACADEMIC READING | Band | IELTS GENERAL READING | Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9 | 40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 | 39 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 | 37-38 | 8 |
| 33-34 | 7.5 | 36 | 7.5 |
| 30-32 | 7 | 34-35 | 7 |
| 27-29 | 6.5 | 32-33 | 6.5 |
| 23-26 | 6 | 30-31 | 6 |
| 19-22 | 5.5 | 27-29 | 5.5 |
| 15-18 | 5 | 23-26 | 5 |
| 13-14 | 4.5 | 19-22 | 4.5 |
| 10-12 | 4 | 15-18 | 4 |
| 8-9 | 3.5 | 12-14 | 3.5 |
| 6-7 | 3 | 9-11 | 3 |
| 4-5 | 2.5 | 6-8 | 2.5 |
Writing
A 7.5 band score in writing necessitates the completion of both of the writing tasks assigned to you for the examination. Task 1 for Academic IELTS is report writing, and for General IELTS is letter writing. For both tests, Task 2 is an essay. For both of these tasks, ensure that all of the criteria on the writing band descriptors for a 7.5 score are met. Proofreading is an important practice to maintain in order to correct any errors, particularly grammar errors.
Securing a 7.5 band in speaking can be considered as the most difficult among all the 4 modules, as this session is held face to face with an examiner and hence, it is a very spontaneous process. Examine the speaking band descriptors carefully; the following points will also help you achieve a 7.5 speaking score:
- You are aiming for a 7.5, which indicates that you are already proficient in English to some extent. To get a 7.5, you must demonstrate your highest level of proficiency while speaking.
- Follow the timing precisely and ensure that you meet the task achievement for all three parts of the IELTS speaking test ( warm up, cue card and discussion).
- Maintain your focus and avoid losing cohesion and coherence as it would affect your scores.
- Use topic related vocabulary and concentrate on giving accurate pronunciations.
- Speak at a moderate speed because speaking too quickly will cause errors, and speaking too slowly will affect your fluency and make you self-conscious.
Conclusion
IELTS band score of 7.5 is a good overall band score. Obtaining this score will help you with both your study visa application and your path to permanent residency. You can achieve a 7.5 IELTS band score if you follow the rubrics and techniques correctly and practise with determination and consistency.