IELTS Listening 18 out of 40: band 5.5

18 correct answers out of 40 in IELTS Listening converts to band 5.5 (CEFR B2). Band 5.5 covers 18–22 correct answers on the standard conversion table. You are 5 answers away from band 6.0.

Band5.5
Raw scores for 5.518–22
Answers to band 6.05

How the IELTS Listening score is converted

Each of the 40 questions is worth one mark and there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank. Your raw total is converted to a band from 0 to 9. IELTS publishes the average marks needed for the whole bands, and the precise cut-offs vary slightly from one test version to the next:

18 is the bottom edge of band 5.5, so a harder version can cost you half a band. Aim for 22 to keep band 5.5 safe.

PTE equivalent

Pearson's July 2025 concordance puts IELTS listening band 5.5 at PTE Academic listening 40–46. See IELTS 5.5 to PTE for the overall and the other skills.

IELTS Listening raw score table

40/40 9.039/40 9.038/40 8.537/40 8.536/40 8.035/40 8.034/40 7.533/40 7.532/40 7.531/40 7.030/40 7.029/40 6.528/40 6.527/40 6.526/40 6.525/40 6.024/40 6.023/40 6.022/40 5.521/40 5.520/40 5.519/40 5.518/40 5.517/40 5.016/40 5.015/40 4.514/40 4.513/40 4.512/40 4.011/40 4.010/40 4.0

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Frequently asked questions

What band is 18 out of 40 in IELTS Listening?

18 correct answers out of 40 in IELTS Listening is band 5.5 on the standard conversion table. Band 5.5 covers 18–22 correct answers. The exact cut-off can move by a mark between test versions.

How many correct answers do I need for band 5.5 in IELTS Listening?

18 out of 40 is the usual minimum for band 5.5. Aim one or two marks above it, because the boundary varies slightly from test to test.

How many more answers do I need for band 6.0?

5 more correct answers. Band 6.0 usually starts at 23 out of 40.

IELTS Academic Reading 18/40IELTS General Training Reading 18/40Overall band calculator

Source: IELTS, “IELTS scoring in detail” (ielts.org) for the whole-band averages; half-band rows follow the widely used indicative table. BandLadder is an independent practice platform, not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council or IDP.