IELTS Reading
Sheik Mia, June 2026
Check Our Free IELTS Reading Practice Tests, Question Types, Marking Criteria and Preparation Tips
The IELTS Reading section is one of the four modules of the IELTS test and is designed to evaluate your ability to read, understand, and interpret written English accurately. IELTS Reading measures how effectively you can comprehend ideas, identify details, and recognize opinions or arguments within a text. IELTS reading has three sections, and you will have 60 minutes to respond to 40 questions. Each passage is followed by a series of question types that assess different reading skills, such as skimming, scanning, and understanding logical arguments.
Are the reading tests similar for both IELTS academic and general? The IELTS test content is the same for both modules, but the text styles are different.
To be proficient in the reading section, the IELTS reading practice test is a great way to prepare. The IELTS Reading practice test with answers helps candidates to get a better understanding of the questions. Candidates can consider preparing for their IELTS exam by undertaking the IELTS Reading Practice Tests given on our IELTS practice page.
The IELTS reading band score is credited based on the number of correct attempts made by the candidates. This section includes a total of 40 questions. Answering a total of 40 questions correctly can help score band 9. Candidates can use IELTS Reading score calculator to calculate their scores. Provided below is a table that highlights the IELTS Reading Band Score. A separate column for each test type of IELTS Reading score band has been denoted.
Candidates' IELTS reading scores are determined using a band scale ranging from 0 to 9, with points awarded for each correct answer provided. An IELTS Band Score of 9 indicates that all 40 questions were answered correctly, whereas a low score suggests a lower level of proficiency. The IELTS reading assessment assigns one mark per question. Generally, the IELTS academic reading test is considered more challenging than the IELTS general training reading test. By meeting the IELTS reading marking criteria, candidates can achieve a higher band score.
You must read newspapers and other publications daily and learn the meanings of new words. The next step is to secure a high IELTS reading score is applying the knowledge you acquire every day. Take IELTS practice speaking and IELTS practice reading tests online. Candidates can frame suitable study time followed by a proper schedule.Prepare from IELTS general training books available online. Account for a number of IELTS reading practice tests to check your time management skills. Improve and speed up your reading skills. Focus on vocabulary development.Devote a timeline of 6-8 weeks for IELTS preparation time.
| Correct Answers | IELTS Academic band score | Correct Answers | IELTS General Training Band score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-39 | 9 | 40 | 9 |
| 38-37 | 8.5 | 39 | 8.5 |
| 36-35 | 8 | 37-38 | 8 |
| 34-33 | 7.5 | 36 | 7.5 |
| 32-30 | 7 | 34-35 | 7 |
| 29-27 | 6.5 | 32-33 | 6.5 |
| 26-23 | 6 | 30-31 | 6 |
| 22-19 | 5.5 | 27-29 | 5.5 |
| 18-15 | 5 | 23-26 | 5 |
| 14-13 | 4.5 | 19-22 | 4.5 |
| 12-10 | 4 | 15-18 | 4 |
| 9-8 | 3.5 | 12-14 | 3.5 |
| 7-6 | 3 | 9-11 | 3 |
| 5-4 | 2.5 | 6-8 | 2.5 |
