Level B1 (approx. band 4-5) · Academic and General Training Many test takers know their target, for example "I need a 7", but they do not know how that number is built. They do not know how the overall band is calculated, why Writing Task 2 matters more, or what an examiner listens for. Without this, you cannot plan. In this episode: • The scale: 0 to 9, with half bands • How the overall band is rounded • Listening and reading: counting correct answers • Writing and speaking: four criteria each • Model • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key points: • one scale from 0 to 9, with whole and half bands. • .25 goes up to .5, .75 goes up to the next band, lower fractions go down. • approximately 30 out of 40 for band 7 in Listening and Academic Reading; General Training Reading needs more. • Writing and Speaking each have four equal criteria, and Task 2 is worth double. IELTS Complete Course: a self-study podcast from A1 to C2 for Academic and General Training. Listen, pause and answer, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair. Independent course, not affiliated with the IELTS test owners.