IELTS Reading Score: Calculation, Band Descriptors, and Score Chart
IELTS reading score is marked by the number of correct answers the candidate gave out of 40 questions. Candidates will get 1 raw score for every correct answer in the reading section. IELTS band score for reading ranges on a scale of 0-9, and depends on the achieved raw score. The calculation of raw score to reading band score is different for IELTS academic and general tests.
IELTS reading syllabus contains various types of questions; multiple choice, true/false/not given, matching, and sentence completion. IELTS reading band calculation depends on the raw score achieved by the candidate. A 35-36 raw score is calculated as an 8-band academic, and IELTS reading band score of 8 in general training defines a 37-38 raw score.
IELTS reading score is valid for two years for both IELTS academic and general modules. Only for the Skilled Migration Process in Australia, IELTS general IELTS reading score is valid for 3 years. To get admission into the top universities in UK, USA, Canada, and New Zealand a 7 IELTS reading academic band score is required.
Band Score for Reading
IELTS reading band score proves a candidate's English language reading abilities. Band score for reading calculation is based on the raw score achieved by the aspirants. If a candidate got 7 reading score for IELTS in academic means, 30-32 correct answers are given. In the IELTS general training, the 7 reading band score describes 34-35 correct answers. The IELTS reading score chart is provided below for reference.
A better understanding of the calculation of the raw reading score for IELTS to band scores helps in preparation. The table mentioned below defines the calculation of the reading band score chart for general and IELTS academic reading scores.
IELTS Academic Reading
IELTS Academic Reading consists of passages sourced from textbooks, journals, magazines, articles and other academic materials. The test lasts 60 minutes, and you get 3 passages and 40 questions to answer. Calculating the IELTS Reading band score is fairly easier than the other sections. The scoring in the Reading section is straightforward, and no band descriptors are involved.
It works like this:
- You have 40 questions to answer
- Each correct answer is worth 1 mark
- The right answers are summed together to get a final score called the ‘raw score’
- Your raw score is converted to the IELTS Reading band score by using the score chart.
IELTS General Reading
As the name implies, the IELTS Reading for the General Training test comprises general passages sourced from company handbooks, magazines, newspapers, and advertisements. These excerpts are simpler and often in the form of instructions or short descriptions.
The marks criteria are the same as the IELTS Academic Reading score, which means you will receive 1 mark for each right answer. The correct answers will be combined and converted to an IELTS band score.
| IELTS Band Score | IELTS Academic Reading Raw Score | IELTS General Training Reading Raw Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 40-39 | 40 |
| 8.5 | 38-37 | 39 |
| 8 | 36-35 | 37-38 |
| 7.5 | 34-33 | 36 |
| 7 | 30-32 | 34-35 |
| 6.5 | 29-27 | 32-33 |
| 6 | 26-23 | 30-31 |
| 5.5 | 22-19 | 27-29 |
| 5 | 18-15 | 23-26 |
| 4.5 | 14-13 | 19-22 |
| 4 | 12-10 | 15-18 |
| 3.5 | 9-8 | 12-14 |
| 3 | 7-6 | 9-11 |
IELTS Reading Band Descriptors
The reading band score chart of IELTS results shows the candidate's capability of reading the English language. Every band score for reading has different skill levels. If a candidate receives a 7 IELTS reading band score, that defines a good skill level. That means the candidate is capable of handling complex language and has a better understanding of detailed reasoning. The IELTS academic reading band score description are:
| IELTS Band | Skill Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | Has full command of the English language. Have a complete understanding of appropriate, fluent, and accurate understanding in reading. |
| 8 | Very Good User | Describe that the candidate has excellent ability in the language and can use it effectively in all situations. Knows to use the English language in describing complex ideas and in arguments. |
| 7 | Good User | There might be some occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations. The candidate can handle complex languages as well as have the ability to understand detailed reasoning. |
| 6 | Competent user | The candidate has some inaccuracies but effectively reads the English language. Also, can understand and use complex language, especially in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest user | Has partial command in the language, and made many mistakes while describing overall meaning in most situations. Can handle basic situations in own field. |
| 4 | Limited user | Have basic language competency in familiar situations. Face problems in expressing and understanding. Can’t use complex languages. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | Can understand and communicate in only familiar situations with general meaning. Face frequent breakdowns while communicating. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | Communicate in only basic, familiar situations. The candidate have difficulties in understanding written and spoken English. |
| 1 | Non-user | Can’t able to use the English language, accept some selective words. |
IELTS Reading Score Calculation
The general and academic IELTS score reading is calculated on the number of correct answers. There are 40 questions in the section, and the reading band score ranges on a 0-9 scale. The reading band score academic and IELTS general reading shows the candidate’s English reading proficiency level. The IELTS reading score can be in full bands like; 5,6,7 and half bands; 5.5,6.5,7.5 etc. The reading score band calculation of academic and gt reading band score is different.
IELTS Academic Reading consists of passages sourced from textbooks, journals, magazines, articles and other academic materials. The test lasts 60 minutes, and you get 3 passages and 40 questions to answer. It is a hassle-free process to calculate IELTS reading score, as no band descriptors are involved.
It works like this:
- You have 40 questions to answer
- Each correct answer is worth 1 mark
- The right answers are summed together to get a final score called the ‘raw score’
- Your raw score is converted to the IELTS Reading band score by using the score chart.
For Example:
- No of correct answers in IELTS academic - 35
Raw score in IELTS academic reading - 35
Academic Reading band score - 8 - No of correct answers in IELTS general - 38
Reading score general IELTS - 38
IELTS general band - 8 - No of correct answers in IELTS academic - 29
Raw score in IELTS academic reading - 29
IELTS academic band - 6.5 - No of correct answers in IELTS general - 33
Raw score in IELTS general reading - 33
IELTS general band - 6.5
IELTS Score Requirement
IELTS score is accepted in all English-speaking countries like US, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia for education and also for visas. If you are required to obtain a visa for educational training or professional purposes, you need to submit IELTS general score. You can refer to the lists below to check the country-wise top university IELTS cut-off:
IELTS Score for UK Universities
To get admission in UK for UG or PG courses, you need to submit your English language proficiency scores. Check the table for IELTS Cutoff for UK Universities:
| University Name | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 7.0 |
| University of Cambridge | 7.0 |
| Imperial College London | 7.0 |
| University College London | 7.0 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 7.0 |
| University of Edinburgh | 6.5 |
| King’s College London | 7.0 |
| University of Manchester | 6.0 |
| University of Bristol | 6.0 |
| University of Warwick | 6.5 |
IELTS Score for USA Universities
Some of the top universities like MIT, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Universities IELTS scores range on a scale of 7.0 to 7.5 band. You can refer to the list below to check IELTS scores for USA universities:
| University Name | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 7.0 |
| California Institute of Technology | 6.5 |
| Harvard University | 7.0 |
| Princeton University | 7.0 |
| Yale University | 7.0 |
| University of Chicago | 6.5 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7.0 |
| University of California, Berkeley | 6.5 |
| Columbia University | 7.5 |
| Duke University | 6.5 |
IELTS Score for Australian Universities
To get admission to some of the top universities, you need to achieve a 6.5 or higher IELTS band score for Australia. Your IELTS results for Australia are generally valid for 2 years, and only for the Skilled Migration applications, your scores are valid for three years.
| University Name | Overall IELTS Score |
|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 6.5 |
| Australian National University | 6.5 |
| University of Queensland | 6.5 |
| Monash University | 6.5 |
| University of Sydney | 7 |
| The University of New South Wales | 7 |
| University of Adelaide | 6.5 |
| University of Western Australia | 6.5 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 6.5 |
| Macquarie University | 6.5 |
IELTS Score for Canadian Universities
You need to achieve a minimum of CLB 7, which is a minimum of 6.0 for each section of the IELTS score for Canada. You can refer to the table below to check the top universities IELTS exam results:
| University Name | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 6.5 |
| University of British Columbia | 6.5 |
| McGill University | 6.5 |
| McMaster University | 6.5 |
| University of Alberta | 6.5 |
| University of Ottawa | 6.5 |
| University of Calgary | 6.5 |
| Simon Fraser University | 6.5 |
| University of Waterloo | 6.5 |
| Western University | 6.5 |
IELTS Reading Samples
We have provided few IELTS Reading Samples here for reference.
- The forbidden City Reading Answers
- Rubber Reading Answers
- The Thylacines Reading Answers
- Clipper race Reading Answers
- Electric Cars Reading Answers
- The stars Reading Answers
- History of Earth Reading Answers
- Petronas Twin Towers Reading Answers
- The MIR Orbiter Reading Answers
- Glow-worms Reading Answers
- Agriculture Reading Answers
- Celestial Chinese Dragon Reading Answers
- International space station Reading Answers
- Koala Bear Reading Answers
- The French Revolution Reading Answers
- Inkjet Printing Reading Answers
- Pencil Reading Answers
- Entrepreneurship Reading Answers
- Marie Curie Reading Answers
- The Volcanoes Reading Answers
Candidates must know the calculation of raw scores for IELTS reading band score. The average IELTS reading score of 6.5-7 band is accepted by top countries and universities worldwide. Having a great understanding in skill level, calculation, and the differences in IELTS reading band score, can help the students in score report sending option.
FAQs
Ques - How much is 6.5 in IELTS reading?
Ans - A 6.5 IELTS reading band score means the candidate give 32-33 correct answers in general training and 34-35 in academic reading.
Ques - What is 30 out of 40 in IELTS reading?
Ans - A score of 30 out of 40 is calculated as 7 IELTS reading band score for academic and 6 in general reading.
Ques - What is a good IELTS score in reading?
Ans - A score of 7 is considered as a good IELTS reading band score. It proves that the candidate have.
Ques - How can I get 8.5 in IELTS reading?
Ans - To get 8.5 in IELTS reading band score, candidate need to follow a proper study plan and regular practice with samples. Preparation under expert mentors also help the candidates to achieve their desired band score for reading.
Ques - Can I retake IELTS reading only?
Ans - One can retake IELTS reading only, but candidates must remember to retake the sectional test within the IELTS result validity period.
Ques - Is 6.5 reading IELTS easy?
Ans - IT is easy to achieve 6.5 IELTS reading band score, candidates need an effective preparation with expert guidance and updated study materials.
Ques - What is the hardest part in IELTS?
Ans - According to most of the test-takers, the writing section is considered as the hardest part in IELTS. With proper preparation and guidance, candidates can achieve their desired IELTS score.
Ques - Is IELTS reading tricky?
Ans - Many candidates wondering that, IELTS reading is tricky, but the difficulty level of it varies and depends on Individual’s English abilities.
Ques - How can I improve my reading score?
Ans - To improve IELTS reading band score, candidates must remember to do not reread the words, skim during reading, and focus on vocabulary and grammatical skills.
Ques - Do questions repeat in IELTS reading?
Ans - Questions are not repeated in IELTS reading sections. Candidates must have a good skimming skills to pint out the important parts.
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