Myth 09 — An IELTS 5.5 Is “Too Low”

Myth #9: Is an IELTS 5.5 really “low”?

People love to say “5.5 is such a low score.” The better question is: does 5.5 meet your goal?

IELTS isn’t a beauty contest

• Treat it like a driver’s licence—proof you can operate at a certain level.
• Around band 4.0 covers tourist interactions; 5.5 for settlement or frontline jobs; 6.5 for university and office work; 8.0+ for ambitious academic or professional goals.

When 5.5 is “enough”

• Your daily life runs mostly in Vietnamese and you just need basic conversations with foreign clients.
• You’re applying for skilled-worker immigration or a closed work permit—many pathways only require 5.5.
• You want a snapshot of your current level so you can keep studying without burning extra time and budget right now.

When you need more

• University study or English-speaking workplaces? Aim for 6.5–7.5.
• Research, lecturing, or high-stakes professional roles? Target 8.0 or higher.

Skip the “credential inflation.” Let the band score serve your mission, not someone else’s expectations.