IELTS Reading Score Calculator - Reading Band Calculation

Q: Is the Academic Reading band chart different from General Training?

Yes. The IELTS Academic and General Training Reading sections use different band score conversion scales. This is because the difficulty level and content of the two Reading tests are different, so the number of correct answers required for the same band score may vary.

Q: How many correct answers are needed for band 7 in IELTS Reading?

For IELTS Academic Reading, a band 7 generally requires around 30 to 31 correct answers out of 40. For General Training Reading, the requirement is usually higher, at around 34 to 35 correct answers, although the exact conversion can vary slightly between test versions.

Q: Are half bands possible in the IELTS Reading section?

Yes. IELTS Reading scores can be reported in whole or half bands, such as 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, or 7.5. However, your raw score out of 40 is first converted into the corresponding band score.

Use our IELTS Reading Score Calculator to convert your correct answers out of 40 into an estimated band score. The IELTS Reading Band Calculator helps you quickly check your performance and understand how close you are to your target IELTS Reading band.

IELTS Reading Score Calculator

Enter the number of questions you answered correctly and select your test type to see the IELTS Reading band score it converts to.

Number of Correct Answers (Raw Score)

Test Type

How IELTS Reading Band Scores Are Calculated

Understand the scoring process of the reading section

See How Correct Answers are Translated to IELTS Reading Score

See how your correct answers translate into an IELTS Reading band score.

IELTS Reading has 40 questions, with 1 mark for each correct answer. Your raw score out of 40 is converted into an IELTS band score from 1 to 9.

Academic and General Training Reading use different score conversions.
There is no negative marking, so attempting every question is recommended.

An IELTS Reading Calculator helps you quickly convert your correct answers into an estimated band score.

IELTS Academic Reading Score Chart

See how your Academic IELTS Reading score converts from the number of correct answers to a band score.

Number of correct answers (Raw Score)	IELTS Reading Band Score
40-39	9.0
38-37	8.5
36-35	8.0
34-33	7.5
32-30	7.0
29-27	6.5
26-23	6.0
22-19	5.5
18-15	5.0
14-13	4.5
12-10	4.0
9-8	3.5
7-6	3.0
5-4	2.5

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IELTS General Training Reading Score Chart

See how the number of correct answers in General Training Reading translates into your IELTS band score.

Number of correct answers (Raw Score)	IELTS Reading Band Score
40	9.0
39	8.5
37-38	8.0
36	7.5
34-35	7.0
32-33	6.5
30-31	6.0
27-29	5.5
23-26	5.0
19-22	4.5
15-18	4.0
12-14	3.5
9-11	3.0

Tips To Score 7+ Bands In IELTS Reading

Use effective reading strategies to improve accuracy, manage time, and confidently target a 7+ IELTS Reading band score.

1. Use Skimming and Scanning

Quickly skim each passage to understand its main idea, then scan for specific details such as names, dates, numbers, and key information. This helps you find answers faster and manage your time effectively.

2. Focus on Keywords and Synonyms

Identify important words in each question and look for their synonyms or paraphrased forms in the passage. IELTS often changes the wording, so focus on the meaning rather than searching for exact matches.

3. Know the Question Types

Practice common IELTS Reading questions such as Matching Headings, True/False/Not Given, Multiple Choice, and Sentence Completion. Understanding each format helps you choose the right approach for different questions.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

With 40 questions to complete in 60 minutes, avoid spending too long on a single question. Move ahead when necessary and return to difficult questions later to maximize your chances of answering all questions.

5. Check the Context Carefully

Do not select an answer simply because it contains words from the question. Read the relevant part of the passage carefully and confirm that the information matches the meaning before choosing your answer.

6. Practice and Review Your Mistakes

Use Gurully to practice IELTS-style Reading tests and become familiar with different question patterns. After each test, review your incorrect answers to identify mistakes and improve your weaker areas.

FAQs

How is the IELTS Reading band score calculated from 40 questions?

The IELTS Reading score is based on the number of correct answers out of 40. Each correct answer earns one mark, and your total score is converted into an IELTS band score using the official conversion scale.

Is the Academic Reading band chart different from General Training?

How many correct answers are needed for band 7 in IELTS Reading?

Are half bands possible in the IELTS Reading section?

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