Reading Marking in IELTS: Band Scores and Scoring Guide

Understanding reading marking in IELTS is important for anyone preparing for the IELTS examination. The Reading test contains 40 questions, and each correct answer receives one mark. Your total number of correct answers is then converted into an IELTS Reading band score.

The scoring system is different from simply calculating a percentage. Your raw score out of 40 is converted to a band score from 0 to 9. The number of correct answers generally required for a particular band can vary slightly between test versions.

How Does Reading Marking in IELTS Work?

IELTS Reading has 40 questions, and candidates receive one mark for each correct answer.

For example:

30 correct answers = 30/40 raw score
35 correct answers = 35/40 raw score
40 correct answers = 40/40 raw score

The raw score is then converted into an IELTS band score.

There are separate Reading scoring systems for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training because the difficulty and content of their Reading tests differ.

IELTS Academic Reading Marking

The Academic Reading test contains 40 questions. According to IELTS, approximately the following raw scores correspond to particular band levels, although the exact conversion can vary between test versions.

Correct Answers	Approximate Academic Reading Band
39–40	9.0
37–38	8.5
35–36	8.0
33–34	7.5
30–32	7.0
27–29	6.5
23–26	6.0
19–22	5.5
15–18	5.0
13–14	4.5
10–12	4.0

These figures are useful as a guide, but the exact number of correct answers needed for a particular band can differ slightly depending on the test version.

IELTS General Training Reading Marking

The General Training Reading test also contains 40 questions, but the score conversion is different from Academic Reading.

An approximate guide is:

Correct Answers	Approximate General Training Reading Band
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

The General Training conversion typically requires more correct answers than Academic Reading for some equivalent band scores because the Reading tests are designed differently.

Academic vs General Training Reading Marking

One of the most important things to understand about reading marking in IELTS is that Academic and General Training Reading are not scored using exactly the same raw-score conversion.

Both tests have:

40 questions
1 mark for each correct answer
A band score from 0 to 9

However, the texts and test difficulty differ, so the number of correct answers needed for a particular band can be different.

Example

A student targeting Band 7.0 may need approximately:

Academic Reading: 30–32 correct
General Training Reading: 34–35 correct

These are approximate figures, not guaranteed thresholds for every test version.

Is There Negative Marking in IELTS Reading?

No. IELTS Reading does not have negative marking.

If an answer is incorrect, you simply receive zero marks for that question.

This means you should answer every question, even if you are unsure.

For example, if you answer:

30 questions correctly
5 incorrectly
5 left blank

Your raw score is 30.

If you had attempted the five unanswered questions and some had been correct, your score could have been higher.

What Counts as a Correct Reading Answer?

A response must meet the requirements of the question.

Depending on the question type, this can involve:

Correct information
Correct spelling
Correct grammar
Correct number of words
Correct option
Correct matching

Spelling

Spelling can be important in completion questions. If the required answer is misspelled, it may be marked incorrect.

Word Limits

Always follow the instructions.

If the question says:

NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS

you must not write three words.

Singular and Plural Forms

Pay attention to grammar and the exact form required by the question.

For example, if the answer needs a plural noun, providing the singular form may be incorrect.

How Different IELTS Reading Questions Are Marked

Multiple Choice

You receive one mark for selecting the correct option.

There is no partial credit for choosing an incorrect option.

True/False/Not Given

You receive one mark for selecting the correct category.

You must distinguish between:

True: The statement agrees with the passage.
False: The statement contradicts the passage.
Not Given: The passage does not provide the required information.

Yes/No/Not Given

This works similarly, but it usually focuses on the writer’s views or claims.

Matching Headings

You receive one mark for each correctly matched heading.

Sentence Completion

Your answer must meet the question’s instructions and match the information in the passage.

Summary Completion

The correct answer must fit the summary and follow the specified word limit.

Short-Answer Questions

The answer must contain the required information and respect the stated word limit.

IELTS Reading Band Score 9

Band 9 represents an Expert User.

For Academic Reading, approximately 39–40 correct answers may be required for Band 9. For General Training Reading, 40 correct answers is typically associated with Band 9.

Aiming for Band 9 therefore requires extremely high accuracy.

IELTS Reading Band Score 8

Band 8 represents a Very Good User.

An Academic Reading score of approximately 35–36 correct answers can correspond to Band 8, while General Training Reading can require around 37–38 correct answers.

At this level, small mistakes can make a significant difference.

IELTS Reading Band Score 7

Band 7 is a common target for students applying to universities, professional programs, and other opportunities where English proficiency is important.

For Academic Reading, around 30–32 correct answers may correspond to Band 7. For General Training Reading, around 34–35 correct answers may be needed.

Because the conversion is approximate, candidates should not treat these numbers as fixed for every test.

IELTS Reading Band Score 6.5

For Academic Reading, approximately 27–29 correct answers can correspond to Band 6.5.

For General Training Reading, approximately 32–33 correct answers can correspond to Band 6.5.

Students targeting Band 6.5 should focus on reducing avoidable mistakes while improving vocabulary and reading speed.

IELTS Reading Band Score 6

For Academic Reading, approximately 23–26 correct answers may correspond to Band 6.

For General Training Reading, approximately 30–31 correct answers may correspond to Band 6.

At this level, improving question analysis and locating evidence in the passage can have a significant impact.

IELTS Reading Band Score 5.5

For Academic Reading, approximately 19–22 correct answers may correspond to Band 5.5.

For General Training Reading, approximately 27–29 correct answers may correspond to Band 5.5.

Candidates at this level can benefit from focusing on vocabulary, basic comprehension, and question-specific strategies.

Why Academic and General Training Scores Differ

Academic Reading and General Training Reading have different purposes and text types.

Academic Reading contains texts suitable for academic contexts, while General Training Reading focuses more on everyday, workplace, and general-interest material.

Because of these differences, the raw-score conversion is not identical.

Therefore, a candidate should always use the correct conversion table for the IELTS test they are taking.

How to Calculate Your IELTS Reading Score

Calculating your raw Reading score is straightforward.

Step 1: Count Correct Answers

Add the number of questions you answered correctly.

For example:

28 correct answers out of 40

Your raw score is:

28/40

Step 2: Identify Your Test Type

Determine whether you took:

IELTS Academic Reading
IELTS General Training Reading

Step 3: Compare With the Appropriate Conversion

Use the relevant Academic or General Training scoring guide.

Step 4: Remember That Conversion Can Vary

IELTS explains that the precise conversion between raw scores and band scores can vary slightly between test versions.

How to Improve Your IELTS Reading Marking

Understanding the scoring system is useful, but improving your actual Reading performance is even more important.

Build Vocabulary

Learn vocabulary in context rather than memorising isolated word lists.

Focus on:

Synonyms
Paraphrases
Academic vocabulary
Common collocations
Words frequently used in question statements

Improve Skimming

Skimming helps you understand the general purpose and structure of a passage quickly.

Pay attention to:

Titles
Headings
Opening sentences
Topic sentences
Repeated concepts

Improve Scanning

Scanning helps you locate specific information efficiently.

Look for:

Names
Dates
Numbers
Places
Technical terms
Distinctive phrases

Learn to Recognise Paraphrases

IELTS questions often use wording that differs from the passage.

For example:

Question: The number of international students increased.

Passage: More overseas learners enrolled during the period.

Recognising that these statements communicate similar information is an important Reading skill.

Practise Under Time Pressure

The IELTS Reading test gives you 60 minutes to answer 40 questions.

Practising under timed conditions can help you develop a realistic pace.

Common Reading Marking Mistakes

Leaving Questions Blank

There is no negative marking, so leaving a question unanswered gives up a potential mark.

Ignoring Word Limits

Writing too many words can make an otherwise relevant answer incorrect.

Spelling Answers Incorrectly

A spelling mistake can cost a mark in questions requiring written answers.

Using Personal Knowledge

Your answer must be based on the information in the passage.

Do not select an answer simply because it seems factually correct in the real world.

Confusing False With Not Given

A statement is False when the passage contradicts it.

It is Not Given when the necessary information is absent.

IELTS Reading Marking Strategy for a Higher Band

A strong strategy combines accuracy, speed, and careful question analysis.

For Band 6

Focus on:

Understanding the main idea
Finding specific information
Improving vocabulary
Avoiding careless mistakes

For Band 7

Focus on:

Paraphrase recognition
Difficult question types
Time management
Evidence-based answers
Reducing spelling mistakes

For Band 8+

Focus on:

High reading speed
Complex vocabulary
Subtle differences in meaning
Difficult distractors
Extremely high accuracy

At higher bands, losing just a few marks can affect the final score significantly.

Why Choose Banglay IELTS

Banglay IELTS is an IELTS preparation platform that helps learners develop the skills needed for the IELTS examination. Its IELTS-focused resources can support students working on Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

For Reading preparation, Banglay IELTS can help learners understand question types, develop effective reading strategies, and practise skills needed to work toward their target band score.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks is IELTS Reading?

The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer receives one mark, giving a maximum raw score of 40.

Is there negative marking in IELTS Reading?

No. IELTS Reading does not use negative marking. Incorrect answers receive zero marks, but they do not reduce marks earned elsewhere.

How many correct answers do I need for Band 7 in IELTS Reading?

Approximately 30–32 correct answers may correspond to Band 7 in Academic Reading, while around 34–35 may be required in General Training Reading. Exact conversions can vary by test version.

How many marks are needed for IELTS Reading 6.5?

Approximately 27–29 correct answers may correspond to Band 6.5 in Academic Reading, while around 32–33 may correspond to Band 6.5 in General Training Reading.