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IELTS Reading Band Score Chart: Academic and General Training
IELTS Reading has 40 questions, one mark each, but Academic and General Training convert scores differently. In Academic Reading, about 30 correct answers gives Band 7. In General Training Reading, you need about 34 for the same band. Choose your test in the calculator below, or check the full charts.
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- Questions
- 40 in 60 minutes
- Marks
- 1 per correct answer; no negative marking
- Band 7
- About 30 correct (Academic); about 34 (General Training)
- Band 8
- About 35 correct (Academic); about 37–38 (General Training)
- Canada PR
- General Training only
IELTS Reading score calculator
Choose your test, then enter how many answers you got right (out of 40).
Approximate. IELTS adjusts the conversion slightly for each test version.
IELTS Reading band score chart: Academic and General Training
| Band score | Academic Reading (correct out of 40) | General Training Reading (correct out of 40) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 39–40 | 40 |
| 8.5 | 37–38 | 39 |
| 8.0 | 35–36 | 37–38 |
| 7.5 | 33–34 | 36 |
| 7.0 | 30–32 | 34–35 |
| 6.5 | 27–29 | 32–33 |
| 6.0 | 23–26 | 30–31 |
| 5.5 | 19–22 | 27–29 |
| 5.0 | 15–18 | 23–26 |
| 4.5 | 13–14 | 19–22 |
| 4.0 | 10–12 | 15–18 |
Below the bottom row, the band is under 4.0.
What the official IELTS website says
IELTS publishes the average marks needed for a few bands:
- Academic Reading: 15 for Band 5, 23 for Band 6, 30 for Band 7 and 35 for Band 8.
- General Training Reading: 15 for Band 4, 23 for Band 5, 30 for Band 6, 34 for Band 7 and 38 for Band 8.
The full chart above comes from IDP's published conversion. It matches these figures, except that IDP starts General Training Band 8 at 37 correct answers, while the IELTS figure is 38. IELTS says the marks needed vary slightly from one test version to another, so aim one or two answers above the line.
Why does General Training need more correct answers?
Both tests use the same 0–9 band scale, but IELTS states that you need more correct answers in General Training Reading for the same band. The General Training texts are everyday and workplace material, such as notices, adverts and handbooks, with one longer general-interest text. Academic texts come from books, journals and newspapers.
The difference is large in the middle of the scale. 30 correct answers is about Band 7.0 in Academic, but about Band 6.0 in General Training.
How many Reading questions can you get wrong?
| Target band | Academic: questions you can miss | General Training: questions you can miss |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 8.5 | 3 | 1 |
| 8.0 | 5 | 3 |
| 7.5 | 7 | 4 |
| 7.0 | 10 | 6 |
| 6.5 | 13 | 8 |
| 6.0 | 17 | 10 |
| 5.5 | 21 | 13 |
| 5.0 | 25 | 17 |
What Reading score do you need for Canada PR?
Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training, not Academic. Each skill converts to a CLB level on its own, and Reading has its own scale.
| CLB level | Reading band | Correct answers (about) |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 8.0 or higher | 37 or more |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 or 7.5 | 34–36 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 32–33 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 30–31 |
| CLB 6 | 5.0 or 5.5 | 23–29 |
| CLB 5 | 4.0 or 4.5 | 15–22 |
CLB 9 in Reading needs about 34 correct answers out of 40, so you can miss around six. What CLB 9 needs in each skill · IELTS to CLB calculator · General vs Academic for Canada PR.
How IELTS Reading is marked
- 40 questions in 60 minutes, one mark each.
- No negative marking. A wrong answer scores the same as a blank, so answer every question.
- No extra transfer time on paper. The 60 minutes include writing your answers on the answer sheet.
- Use the words the question asks for. If it asks for TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN, writing YES or NO is marked wrong, and the other way round.
- Spelling and word limits count. A misspelt word, or more words than the instruction allows, makes the answer wrong.
Where Reading marks usually go
- NOT GIVEN vs FALSE. FALSE means the text says the opposite. NOT GIVEN means the text does not say.
- Matching headings. Picking a heading because it shares a word with the paragraph, not because it matches the main idea.
- Time. Spending too long on the first passage and rushing the last one, which is usually the hardest.
- Word form. Copying the right word from the text in the wrong form for the sentence.
More strategy in the IELTS Reading guide and how to score 8 in IELTS Reading.
Frequently asked questions
How many correct answers do I need for Band 7 in IELTS Reading?
What band is 30 out of 40 in General Training Reading?
Is there negative marking in IELTS Reading?
Why does General Training Reading need more correct answers?
Which Reading test do I need for Canada PR?
How many correct answers do I need for CLB 9 in Reading?
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