IELTS Academic Reading Score Guide 2023: Expert Tips & Sample Questions

Did you know if you answer 30 out of 40 questions correctly on the IELTS Reading test, you get an IELTS Academic Reading score of 7.

Understanding the IELTS academic reading score criteria before you start preparation can help you achieve a higher band score.

Most IELTS trainers believe that a IELTS Academic Reading Score of 7 or 8 band will contribute to a good overall band score.

Since the reading section has multiple choice questions and the scoring criteria are not subjective, you can score well and raise your overall IELTS band score with proper preparation and planning.

Time management is key in this section. Even if you’re a voracious reader, the reading section can make you nervous. This blog will highlight IELTS Academic Reading score criteria, calculation, conversion and ways to crack the IELTS reading section with 7+ band score.

Go through these expert approved tips and bring out your best comprehension abilities on the exam day.

IELTS Academic Reading Score: Everything You Need To Know

The IELTS academic reading score gives insight into your reading abilities to immigration officials and institutions. The section has three long passages with 40 questions from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. The three passages are structured in an increasing difficulty pattern.

Wait, before going further we’re revealing something you must be constantly thinking about.

Yes the question types, the reading section consists of various questions like multiple choices, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, summary completion, and sentence completion questions. The questions are designed to test a wide range of reading skills, including skimming, understanding logical arguments, reading for gist, and writers’ purposes.

To familiarise yourself with all the question types and passages, join the IELTS preparation journey with LeapScholar, India’s biggest study abroad platform.

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Let’s do Some Maths- Calculate the IELTS Academic Reading Score

The IELTS Academic Reading score is graded on a scale of 1-9. The IELTS Academic reading score is calculated based on the total number of correct answers out of 40. The raw scores obtained from 40 will be further converted to the 1-9 bands. 

Depending on the number of correct answers, the IELTS Academic Reading score can be whole bands like 4 or 5 or half bands like 5.5 or 7.5. Also, if the decimal part exceeds 0.5, the score will be rounded off to the next upper value, i.e. 6.75 will be rounded as 7. And if the decimal point is below, the grade will be rounded off to the lower value, i.e. 7.2 will be rounded as 7.

All the above equations might have blown your minds, let’s make things simple for you!

1. Number of correct answers- 33

Raw score- 33

IELTS reading band score-7.5

2. Number of correct answers – 27

Raw score- 27

IELTS band score- 6.5

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Understanding the logic of Scoring Criteria with Band Descriptors

The scoring criteria for the IELTS reading module are quite simple. Each question is awarded 1 mark and 0 marks for incorrect answers. Hence there is no negative marking. Thus, you get a raw score for all the right answers that will be converted into a final IELTS Academic Reading score.

The IELTS Academic Reading score descriptors will reveal your English reading skills level. The band score you receive depends on the number of questions you have attempted.

With reference to the IELTS band descriptors, scoring a 7 and above in the reading section will contribute to the final IELTS Academic reading score.

Do you have your IELTS score card in your hand, then let’s check your competency level with this exclusive academic reading band descriptor:

Band score	Level	Descriptor
9	Expert user	Depicts that you have a complete hold of the language and can use it fluently and accurately without any grammatical errors.
8	Very good user	Having a good command over the language but a little behind in a few unfamiliar situations. Capable of handling complex arguments.
7	Good user	Having an operational command over the language with some misunderstandings in some situations. Able to understand detailed reasoning passages and can handle complex language.
6	Competent user	Appropriate command of the language is exhibited, along with a few inaccuracies, misunderstandings, and inappropriate word usage at times.
5	Moderate user	A partial command over the language. Mistakes are likely to happen, and the candidate can understand the overall meaning in different situations.
4	Limited user	Basic competency level only in a familiar situation. Cannot handle complex language and faces difficulty in understanding different concepts.
3	Extremely limited user	Communicates with many breakdowns. Can understand and convey only in familiar situations with only general meaning.
2	Intermittent user	High difficulty level in understanding and expressing spoken and written English. Knows only a few selected words or phrases.
1	Non-user	No ability to use the English language at all. Knows only a very limited number of words or phrases used in familiar situations.

Fun fact: Native Speakers and Non-Native Speakers are of the same level in IELTS and both have the same chance of achieving IELTS Band 8 or 9.

It doesn’t matter from where you are, what matters is how you prepare. Your technique and consistency can get you to the top!

All in one Reading Score chart: Refer to Define Your Scores

Only have your raw scores? We’ll help you get the final score.

With this IELTS Academic Reading score calculator you can convert the raw scores obtained out of 40 into a band score of 1-9. With the analysis you will realize which topics to focus on and improve the necessary skills required.

Band	9	8.5	8	7.5	7	6.5	6	5.5	5	4.5	4	3.5	3	2.5
Total Raw Score	39-40	37-38	35-36	32-34	30-31	26-29	23-25	18-22	16-17	13-15	10-12	8-10	6-7	4-5

Master IELTS Reading with these Expert tips

A non-native English speaker can easily secure a high IELTS Academic Reading score with consistent practice. To make this possible, you must do some intense reading regularly to improve your reading stamina, vocabulary, grammar and time management skills.

For your reference, we have collated some exclusive preparation tips by experts to help you increase your IELTS Academic Reading score:

Build time management strategies

To make the best of the 60 minutes, you must complete your IELTS reading exam and improve your reading speed when preparing for the exam.

Focus on grammar and vocabulary

Improve your vocabulary knowledge by learning new words and focusing on your grammar. Your vocabulary and grammar contribute to 50% of your total IELTS reading score.

Develop the ability to analyse difficult language

Try ways to analyse complex language, and if you find unfamiliar words, note their meanings and usage. It will allow you to understand the jargon used in professional writing.

Learn synonyms

Keep learning the synonyms of commonly used words. Most of the true and false questions have been paraphrased. If you master synonyms, you can quickly find the keywords and answers.

Learn the art of logical deduction

Make it a habit of identifying the important points and keywords so you can use them to locate the answers easily. This is especially helpful when logical deduction and answering multiple-choice questions.

Also read: Dates of IELTS Exam 2023 – Check IELTS Test Dates & Locations in India!

Some Extra Tips for the Exam Day

These hacks will boost your confidence on the exam day:

Do not read everything

You don’t have the time to read everything. Read the tasks and questions first and think about the key points you need to find to answer those questions.

Skim through paragraphs

Skim-read the summary to get a general understanding of what it’s about. Quickly scan and glance through the material and try to find critical points.

Eventually, the words will pop out as you scan the passages. With practice, you will find this process becomes much easier.

Highlight the keywords 

Pick out a few keywords from the summary to scan for. Names, numbers, places or dates are ideal, as these will be easy to spot if there are any in summary.

Make use of paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is a key skill required to score well in IELTS reading. You can paraphrase by using synonyms, changing grammatical structures and phrasal verbs.

Focus on your writing skills too

Even though it is an IELTS Reading task, the examiner will evaluate how you have written the answer after reading the passages.

Make sure the grammar and writing style is appropriate.

Sample Questions & Answers to Ace your IELTS Academic Reading Score

Sample Question 1

MCQ type : Choose one correct answer

Only a tiny fraction of Newton’s work on alchemy has been published, but he wrote around a million words on the subject, including laboratory notes, indexes of alchemical substances and transcripts from other sources.

 On his death in 1727, Newton had over 100 manuscripts filled with alchemical material, sold by auctioneers Sotheby’s as part of a larger collection in 1936. This side of Newton was often an embarrassment to his admirers. His first biographer, John Conduitt, like many commentators who followed, played down the role of alchemy (and other pursuits) in Newton’s work, stating:

“When he was tired with his severe studies, his only relief and amusement were going to some other subjects such as History and Chronology or Divinity and Chymistry”. Just how important the study of alchemy was to Newton only began to be recognised in 1947, when John Maynard Keynes, who bought much of the work from Sotheby’s, declared in his essay, “Newton, the Man, “;” Newton was not the first of the age of reason. He was the last of the magicians.

1. Many thought Newton was what?

A. tired

B. an embarrassment

C. admired

Ans. B

2. What did Keynes call Newton?

A. old

B. reasonable

C. a magician 

ANS. C

Sample Question 2

Find a suitable heading for the paragraph 

Despite its bad reputation, stress historically had a vital role to play. Commonly referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ mode, the sudden release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol causes the heart to beat faster, airways to dilate and blood vessels to open up, all of which push the body towards optimal performance and, ultimately, survival.

In the rest of the animal kingdom, this is still often the difference between life and death. As he springs off to freedom, the lucky gazelle who escapes the lion can thank this primal evolutionary response.

1. Stress reduction in animals

2. Two types of stress

3. The fallout of cell death.

4. The best type of exercise

5. How stress can be useful

Ans. 5

The IELTS Academic Reading section is easy to score through proper planning, studying, revision and practising as many questions as possible.

Leap Experts suggest it’s best to practice reading from accurate resources to obtain a higher IELTS Academic Reading score. 

With a plethora of information on the internet on IELTS, it’s challenging to decipher credible courses and resources without wasting your time, money and energy.

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