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IELTS Reading Band Score

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Updated on Nov 30, 2024, 10:25

Before you read IELTS Reading prep in detail, it’s crucial to understand the scoring system. Knowing how your answers translate into a final band score helps you approach each question with a clear strategy, boosting your chances of achieving a high score.
 

The IELTS Reading section uses a straightforward 0-9 band scale, with no complex band descriptors as found in other modules. Here’s what you need to know. 

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1. IELTS Band Score Calculator

IELTS Academic Reading consists of passages sourced from textbooks, journals, magazines, articles and other academic materials. 

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2. IELTS Reading Band Score Chart for Academic Test

What Does IELTS Academic Reading Include?

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3. IELTS Reading Band Score Chart for General Training Test

IELTS Reading for the General Training test comprises general passages sourced from company handbooks, magazines, newspapers, and advertisements.

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4. What Does Your IELTS Reading Band Score Mean?

Each band you get in IELTS indicates a level of proficiency. 

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1.

IELTS Band Score Calculator

Enter your IELTS sectional score to get overall score

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2.

IELTS Reading Band Score Chart for Academic Test

What Does IELTS Academic Reading Include? The Academic Reading test includes three long passages from authentic academic sources like textbooks, journals, and articles. With 40 questions to complete within a 60-minute time frame, this section assesses your comprehension of complex texts.

 

How is the IELTS Reading Score Calculated? Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, making the calculation process simple:

 

  • You’ll answer 40 questions in total.
  • Each correct response earns 1 point, resulting in a final “raw score.”
  • This raw score is then converted to your official IELTS Reading band score using a standardised score chart.

 

Using the IELTS Reading Band Score Chart to interpret your score will help you measure progress as you prepare and set clear goals. Let’s delve into the details of this scoring system and how you can make it work to your advantage.

 

You can use the following table to reduce your raw score to your IELTS Reading band score.

IELTS Reading Band Score Chart (Academic)

The Academic Reading Band Score Chart provides a quick reference to understand how raw scores in the IELTS Reading section convert to official band scores. This chart helps you gauge where your reading performance stands, allowing you to set clear goals and track your progress as you prepare.

 

Raw Score out of 40 Band Score
39 - 40 9
37 - 38 8.5
35 - 36 8
33 - 34 7.5
30 - 32 7
27 - 29 6.5
23 - 26 6
19 - 22 5.5
15 - 18 5
13 - 14 4.5
10 - 12 4
8 - 9 3.5
6 - 7 3
4 - 5 2.5
3.

IELTS Reading Band Score Chart for General Training Test

As the name implies, the IELTS Reading for the General Training test comprises general passages sourced from company handbooks, magazines, newspapers, and advertisements. These excerpts are simpler and often in the form of instructions or short descriptions.
 

The marks criteria are the same as the IELTS Academic Reading score, which means you will receive 1 mark for each right answer. The correct answers will be combined and converted to an IELTS band score.

 

Use the table below to convert your scores! This chart is slightly different than the Academic version. 

IELTS Reading Band Score Chart (General Training)
Raw Score out of 40 Band Score
40 9
39 8.5
37-38 8
36 7.5
34-35 7
32-33 6.5
30-31 6
27-29 5.5
23-26 5
19-22 4.5
15-18 4
4.

What Does Your IELTS Reading Band Score Mean?

Each band you get in IELTS indicates a level of proficiency. While 0 means you have probably not attempted the test, 9 indicates you are a highly proficient English speaker! 
 

Here is what each of the band scores means.
 

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IELTS Band Score Descriptors

Band Skill Level Description
9 Expert User Fully commands the language fluently, accurately, and appropriately with complete understanding.
8 Very Good User Fully commands the language with occasional minor errors. May misunderstand in unfamiliar situations but handles detailed arguments well.
7 Good User Commands the language well, with occasional errors and misunderstandings. Handles complex language and detailed reasoning
6 Competent User Generally communicates effectively, with some errors and misunderstandings. Can understand fairly complex language, especially in familiar situations.
5 Modest User Can grasp overall meaning in most situations despite making many mistakes. Can manage basic communication within their field
4 Limited User Basic competence in familiar situations but often struggles with understanding and expression. Difficulty using complex language.
3 Extremely Limited User Understands general meaning in very familiar situations, with frequent communication breakdowns.
2 Intermittent User Can communicate basic information using simple words or phrases in familiar situations. Struggles with understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non-user Unable to use the language except for isolated words
0 Did not attempt the test No information available about the user
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FAQs

Q. How is the IELTS Reading band score determined?

A. Your IELTS Reading band score depends on your performance in the reading section, scored on a scale of 0 to 9. You have 40 IELTS Reading questions, each earning you one mark. The sum of your scores will be called raw scores, which will be converted to an IELTS band score.

Q. What are the different levels of the IELTS Reading band score?

A. The IELTS Reading band score ranges from 0 to 9, with each band representing a distinct level of reading proficiency. A score of 0 indicates that user probably did not write the test, while a score of 9 reflects an expert reading comprehension level. Most universities often consider a score between 6.0 and above good enough. 

Q. How can I improve my IELTS Reading band score?

A. Improving your IELTS Reading band score requires consistent practice and targeted preparation. Here are a few things you can do: 

 

  • Practising reading comprehension skills
  • Developing effective reading strategies (such as skimming and scanning)
  • Expand your vocabulary and familiarise yourself with different question types 
  • Reading various texts across different topics and genres can help enhance your reading proficiency
Q. What are the criteria for assessing the IELTS Reading band score?

A. IELTS Reading does not have any band descriptors associated with it. In this section, you will face various questions, such as MCQ, Sentence Completion, Matching Headings, and Matching features. Each correct answer will get you one mark. These questions help you identify main ideas, locate specific details, understand implied meanings, and recognise the writer's opinions.

Q. What are the various question types used in IELTS Reading?

A. The question types asked in IELTS Reading include: 

  • Multiple Choice
  • True/False/Not Given
  • Matching Headings
  • Matching Information
  • Sentence Completion
  • Summary Completion
  • Note/Summary/Flow-chart/Table Completion
  • Short Answer Questions
  • Diagram/Label/Map Completion
  • Matching Sentence Endings
Q. Is there a break between sections in the IELTS Reading test?

A. In the IELTS Reading section, there are no breaks. The entire section lasts for 60 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. The test consists of three sections, and ideally, you should allocate approximately 20 minutes to each section to answer all 40 questions effectively. However, if you finish a section faster, you can use any remaining time to review your answers before moving on to the next section.

Q. What is the difference between IELTS Academic Reading and IELTS General Reading?

A. The primary difference between IELTS Academic and General Reading lies in the source of the passages. Although the format, number of questions, and test duration remain consistent, both tests contain three sections containing three or more passages (for the General test). The Academic Test gets passages from academic textbooks, magazines, and newspapers, whereas the General Test includes excerpts from company handbooks, instruction manuals, newspapers, advertisements, and other similar materials.

Q. Is there a negative marking in IELTS Reading?

A. The IELTS Reading test does not deduct points for incorrect answers. Each correct answer earns a score of 1. Your raw score is the total of all correct answers. A conversion table converts This raw score into the IELTS 0-9 band scale. Below is the conversion chart. 

 

IELTS Academic Raw scoreIELTS General Raw ScoreIELTS Band Score
15155
23236
34307
38358

 

Note: The IELTS General Reading band score and the Academic band score both range on a scale of 0-9. 

Q. Can I write on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test?

A. you can write on the question paper during the IELTS Reading test. You can underline key points, circle important words, and make notes to help answer the questions. Remember to transfer the answers to your answer sheet before submitting your paper. Anything written on the question paper will not be considered.

Q. How do you improve your reading speed for the IELTS Reading Test?

A. Regularly reading different types of texts will undoubtedly enhance your reading speed. In IELTS, Reading preparation, skimming, and scanning are crucial skills. Scanning enables you to selectively locate and note essential information, while skimming aids in faster reading without delving into too many details. Use these techniques to speed-boost your reading skills! 

Q. How many questions are there in the IELTS Reading test?

A. The IELTS Reading has 40 questions and 3 passages. Each passage is considered one section containing 2-3 question types. You have 60 minutes to complete the reading section. Each correct answer will earn you 1 mark.