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IELTS Reading Score: Score Calculation, Score Band Descriptors, Score Calculator, Preparation Tips, and Samples

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Jan 31, 2023

The IELTS Reading Score is based on a scale of 0 to 9. There are 40 questions, the IELTS reading score for each is worth one mark. A higher number of questions must be answered correctly to attain a high IELTS academic reading band score. There are several different question types offered, including matching, multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, and sentence completion. The marking criteria for IELTS reading are a little different from the Speaking and Writing assessments since the responses can only be correct or incorrect. Each correct response will get you one mark, and the number of questions properly answered is used to calculate the IELTS reading band score.

Table of Contents

  1. IELTS Reading Band Score
    1.1 IELTS Academic Reading Score
    1.2 IELTS General Reading Score
  2. Reading Score Band Descriptors
    2.1 IELTS Reading Test Evaluation
  3. IELTS Reading Score Tips
  4. IELTS Reading Practice Test
  5. IELTS Reading Samples

IELTS Reading Band Score

IELTS Reading has three lengthy chapters that should take about 60 minutes to complete. The table given below shows the scoring for the IELTS General reading band score and IELTS Academic reading score. The provided reading band score list helps to calculate the reading band score.

IELTS Academic Reading Score

Reading academic score are graded out of 40, and the raw score is translated into a band score. Reading band score chart academic help to understand the score range. Here is the reading band score chart to calculate the academic reading score:

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

IELTS General Reading Score

GT reading score has 40 questions, each of which carries a single mark. Band scores are often provided in half-point and one-point increments. Here is the IELTS reading score chart for general reading band score:

Basic Score GT Reading Band Score
6- 8 range 2.5
9- 11 range 3
12- 14 range 3.5
15- 18 range 4
19- 22 range 4.5
23- 26 range 5
27- 29 range 5.5
30- 31 range 6
32- 33 range 6.5
34- 35 range 7
36 range 7.5
37- 38 range 8
39 range 8.5
40 range 9

IELTS Reading Score Band Descriptors

The following table includes IELTS reading score band descriptors which state the performance level of each candidate. IELTS band score calculation can be done following the below given band descriptors table:

BAND SCORE SKILL LEVEL DESCRIPTION
Band 9 Expert user You have a full operational order of the language. Your English usage is fitting, exact, and familiar you show total comprehension
Band 8 Very good user You have a completely operational order of the language with just intermittent unsystematic mistakes and wrong utilisation. You may misconstrue a few things in new circumstances. You handle complex itemised argumentation well.
Band 7 Good user You have an operational order of the language. Presence of intermittent errors, improper utilisation, and misconceptions in certain circumstances. You handle complex language well and comprehend point-by-point thinking.
Band 6 Competent user Usually, you have a powerful order of the language notwithstanding a few mistakes, improper utilisation, and false impressions. You can utilise and see genuinely complex language, especially in natural circumstances.
Band 5 Modest user You have a half order of the language and adapt to generally speaking importance as a rule, even though you are probably going to commit numerous errors. You ought to have the option to deal with essential interchanges in your field.
Band 4 Limited user Your fundamental ability is constrained to recognizable circumstances. You now and again show issues in comprehension and articulation. You can't utilise complex language.
Band 3 Extremely limited user You pass on and see just broad significance in natural circumstances. There are visit breakdowns in correspondence.
Band 2 Intermittent user You have incredible difficulty understanding spoken and composed English.
Band 1 Non-user Non-user You cannot utilise the language except a couple of separated words
Band 0 Did not attempt the test You didn't address the questions.

IELTS Reading Test Evaluation: How Does It Work? 

It is necessary to grasp the IELTS Reading pattern for both types- Academic and General Training, as they are fairly different. The categories of questions for both types of tests are the same, they are T/F/NG, gap fills, question/answer, MCQs, match the columns, list of headers, sentence completion, and so on. One right answer is assigned a single mark.

Reading answers should be sent concurrently because there is no time provided for transferring answers for the IELTS academic score listening. Raw scores are obtained after evaluating the answers for the reading modules. They are then matched with the relevant IELTS band score calculation ranging from 0 to 9. Certain slabs are noted for raw scores corresponding to IELTS Bands if both reading band score academic and General Training differ.

IELTS reading score calculator are attached below to calculate IELTS academic score band

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IELTS Reading Score Tips

A band score of 7 denotes a good language user who can manage complicated language and follow comprehensive reasoning. Candidates who are not totally fluent but are proficient enough to study, work, or live in a country where English is the primary language of communication. In order to have a higher academic reading score like IELTS reading band 9 candidates need to know certain IELTS Preparation tips for reading discussed below:

  • After scanning, answer questions by scanning the options. Filter for solutions in a text of more than 800 words is time-consuming.
  • Candidates must set aside time each day to practice reading and complete practice papers in order to enhance their reading abilities.
  • Candidates should devote some time to strengthening their reading abilities by reading newspapers and magazines.
  • Read from Cambridge IELTS books and previous IELTS examinations.
  • Candidates can learn new terms and expand their vocabulary. This would also assist them to improve their word pronunciation and fluency in the language.
  • Practice not just reading but also analyzing articles to better comprehend the concepts and ideas. This would aid in the improvement of reading abilities by providing accurate information.

IELTS Reading Practice Test

Candidates can make use of the following IELTS Reading practice question to improve their IELTS reading band.

IELTS Academic Reading Practice test

IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 1 IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 2
IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 3 IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 4
IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 5 IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 6
IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 7 IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test 8

IELTS General Reading Practice test

IELTS General Reading Practice Test 1 IELTS General Reading Practice Test 2
IELTS General Reading Practice Test 3 IELTS General Reading Practice Test 4
IELTS General Reading Practice Test 5 IELTS General Reading Practice Test 6
IELTS General Reading Practice Test 7 IELTS General Reading Practice Test 8

IELTS Reading Samples

Here is the reading passage for IELTS with solutions that will further help in understanding.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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