Reading · Unit 1: Know the test
R02: How Reading is scored, and why GT needs more correct answers
Target band 5.5 to 6
Two students both get 30 out of 40 in Reading. One gets band 7. The other gets band 6. How is that fair? The answer is that they took different tests. One took Academic, the other took General Training. This lesson explains how Reading is scored, and how many answers you need for your target band.
Why this matters
If you know your target raw score, every practice test tells you exactly how close you are. It also stops you from panicking. You don't need 40 out of 40. You need a specific number, and it's probably lower than you think.
How it works
Each correct answer gets 1 mark. There's no negative marking, so never leave an answer empty. Your raw score out of 40 is changed into a band score. Here are the approximate numbers from the official IELTS website:
| Band | Academic Reading (out of 40) | General Training Reading (out of 40) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 15 | |
| 5 | 15 | 23 |
| 6 | 23 | 30 |
| 7 | 30 | 35 |
| 8 | 35 |
Scores between these points get half bands. The exact numbers change slightly between test versions.
Why General Training needs more correct answers
General Training texts are taken from everyday sources, like notices, adverts, job information and newspapers. They're generally easier to read than Academic texts. So to get the same band, you need more correct answers. It balances the difficulty.
This is important if you're switching tests. A student who gets 30 in GT practice and 30 in Academic practice is at different levels: about 6 in GT, but about 7 in Academic.
What this means for you
- For Academic band 7, you can get about 10 questions wrong.
- For Academic band 6.5, you can get about 13 wrong.
- For GT band 7, you can only get about 5 wrong.
So in Academic Reading, you don't need to answer every question perfectly. You need to protect easy marks and make smart guesses on the hard ones.
Try it yourself
- You got 31 in Academic Reading. Roughly what band is that?
- You got 31 in GT Reading. Roughly what band?
- You need 7.0 in Academic. About how many mistakes can you make?
Show the answers
1) About 7. 2) About 6. 3) About 10.
Honest note
These conversion numbers are a guide. When you use a Cambridge book, use the table printed inside that book. And remember, practice scores at home are often a little higher than real scores (see R44).
Your task today
Write your target Reading band and the raw score you need. Then write your last three practice scores next to it.