How are my IELTS Listening and Reading band scores calculated from correct answers?
16 Oct 2026 · Answered by Honnappa Chandrannavar · 2 min read
Quick Answer
verified
Listening and Reading are each scored from 40 questions, with 1 mark per correct answer and no negative marking. Listening is the same for all, while Reading differs between Academic and General Training. Band tables usually shift slightly, so verify official conversions.
Your IELTS Listening and Reading band depends on how many of the 40 questions you answer correctly. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and a wrong answer does not cost you marks, so never leave a blank.
Approximate Band Conversion Tables
| Listening correct answers | Listening band | Academic Reading correct answers | Academic Reading band |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 to 40 | 9.0 | 39 to 40 | 9.0 |
| 37 to 38 | 8.5 | 37 to 38 | 8.5 |
| 35 to 36 | 8.0 | 35 to 36 | 8.0 |
| 32 to 34 | 7.5 | 33 to 34 | 7.5 |
| 30 to 31 | 7.0 | 30 to 32 | 7.0 |
| 26 to 29 | 6.5 | 27 to 29 | 6.5 |
| 23 to 25 | 6.0 | 23 to 26 | 6.0 |
| 18 to 22 | 5.5 | 19 to 22 | 5.5 |
| 16 to 17 | 5.0 | 15 to 18 | 5.0 |
| 13 to 15 | 4.5 | 13 to 14 | 4.5 |
| 11 to 12 | 4.0 | 10 to 12 | 4.0 |
Key Rules
- There are 40 questions in total, with 1 mark for each correct answer.
- There is no negative marking, so attempt every question.
- Listening is the same for Academic and General Training.
- Reading is different: General Training Reading is easier, so it needs more correct answers for the same band as Academic.
My Advice
Use these tables only as a guide and mark your mock tests the same way. Conversion tables can vary between test versions, so check the official IELTS information for the latest scoring.
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