NEWS!!!!!!! From July 1, 2007 new scoring system.........

[rim]

IELTS.org...........


From 1 July 2007, we’re making a small but important change which will make IELTS Band Scores more informative.
Scores for each part of the test will still be reported on the scale from 1 to 9, but now the Writing and Speaking modules will be reported in whole or half-bands in the same way as the Reading and Listening modules.
Why is the scoring being changed?
This is the latest in a series of enhancements to IELTS, based on continual consultation with test takers, teachers, Recognising Organisations and other stakeholders around the world.
This range of scores – using full and half-bands – is already used for Listening and Reading. We have consulted a large number of organisations that use IELTS scores, and their feedback tells us that they find the half band scores very helpful as they allow them to specify required language levels more precisely. Many teachers and test takers have also told us that they would like more detailed information on performance in each skill.
---------------------------------------------------------------

[vuvian]

I do not really get your notice. Does it tell us that our writing and speaking will be scored to 0.5? for example, Writing 6.5 rather than 6 or 7.
You know, i thought that Writing and Speaking were reported in half bands already. is it true?

[rim]

Correct!............. The Speaking and Writing sections were scored with whole numbers.......Now it will be 5; 5.5; 6; 6.5; 7; 7.5

It will be harder to get 7 because more detailed marking will put you easily to 6.5 instead of 7

In some cases however, it can help people who need 6.5

[vuvian]

Originally Posted by rim

Correct!............. The Speaking and Writing sections were scored with whole numbers.......Now it will be 5; 5.5; 6; 6.5; 7; 7.5

It will be harder to get 7 because more detailed marking will put you easily to 6.5 instead of 7

In some cases however, it can help people who need 6.5

Thanks rim for your precious information and enthusiasm of responding to my message!!!