For fluency and coherence, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy, band scores are given from 1 to 9. For pronunciation, only four band scores are used -2, 4, 6 and 8. Under this system, candidates must fully meet the criteria of, for example, band 6, in order to achieve that score. If they do not, they will receive band 4.

It is reported within the IELTS community that, from 1st August 2008, examiners will be permitted to give the band scores 3, 5 and 7. For example, where a candidate demonstrates some of the pronunciation features of a band 4 candidate but also some of the features of a band 6 candidate, examiners will be permitted to give band 5.

Band 4

• produces some acceptable features of English pronunciation but overall-control is limited and there can be severe strain for the listener

In the IELTS Speaking Module, pronunciation is scored 2, 4, 6 and 8, rather than 1-9. A band 4 is given when a candidate's pronunciation is difficult to understand, possibly because the candidate mumbles or because the candidate doesn't pronounce vowel sounds clearly. The phrase "severe strain" refers to this and also to the "flat" voice that some candidates produce because they do not make use of intonation.

Band 6

• can be understood throughout, though mispronunciation may occasionally cause momentary strain for the listener

This means that the candidate's pronunciation is clear enough throughout the speaking module, but a few isolated words may require the listener to wonder what was said for a few seconds. The examiner might even, indirectly, point this out to the candidate by asking "Did you say ... or ...?" or "Could you say that again, please?" Candidates in China may actually have a slight advantage with the pronunciation criteria because the examiners are used to the way Chinese people speak. Examiners working in places where there are candidates from a variety of countries might score Chinese candidates lower on this criteria. Intonation is quite important here. If a candidate's voice is too "flat", it can be very difficult for a native English speaker to understand, since it sounds boring and the native speaker loses concentration.

 Band 8

• is easy to understand throughout, with Ll accent having minimal effect on intelligibility

Ll means "first language". Therefore, this criteria is pointing out that a candidate's accent is of little importance as long as the speech is clear. Chinese candidates often worry needlessly about their accents.

• uses a wide range of phonological features to convey meaning effectively