Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
What band 4 and band 5 mean
IELTS reports scores in whole and half bands but ielts.org only writes descriptions for whole bands. A 4.5 shows a level above band 4 and below band 5.
| Band | ielts.org skill level | ielts.org description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Modest | Partial command; copes with overall meaning in most situations but likely to make many mistakes |
| 4 | Limited | Basic competence limited to familiar situations; frequent problems in understanding and expression |
What you can and cannot do with 4.5
ielts.org's guidance for educational institutions rates bands from 5.5 upward; at 5.5, only linguistically less demanding training courses are 'probably acceptable', and every other course type needs further English study. A 4.5 is below the lowest row of that table.
On the CEFR, the ielts.org chart places overall bands 4.0 to 5.0 alongside B1, an independent user level. Some visas set requirements at B1 or below, so check the exact rule for your route in our CEFR to IELTS guide. Every university, employer and visa authority sets its own minimum, often with a minimum in each skill as well as overall. Check the exact requirement before you book. This guide is general information, not official IELTS advice.
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How far 4.5 is from band 5
ielts.org publishes the average raw marks for some bands. For band 5 test takers average 16 out of 40 in Listening and 15 in Academic Reading; in General Training Reading, 15 marks is about band 4 and 23 about band 5 (ielts.org). The exact numbers vary slightly by test version.
Because the overall band is the average of four skills rounded to the nearest half band, lifting one skill by a whole band moves the average by a quarter. See how the IELTS score is calculated.
| Section | Band 4 (marks out of 40) | Band 5 (marks out of 40) |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Not published | 16 |
| Academic Reading | Not published | 15 |
| General Training Reading | 15 | 23 |
Frequently asked questions
Is 4.5 a fail in IELTS?+
No. IELTS has no pass or fail for Academic or General Training. Whether 4.5 is enough depends on the organisation you apply to.
What CEFR level is IELTS 4.5?+
ielts.org's chart places overall bands 4.0 to 5.0 alongside B1.
What does band 4 mean in IELTS?+
ielts.org calls band 4 'Limited': basic competence limited to familiar situations, with frequent problems in understanding and expression.
How many correct answers is band 5 in Listening?+
About 16 out of 40 on average, per ielts.org. The exact number varies slightly between test versions.
Keep reading
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Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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