Free tool
IELTS Reading band score chart & calculator
Choose your test type, then drag to your number of correct answers. General Training is marked on a stricter scale than Academic.
Band
7.0
Typical band for this raw score (varies slightly by test version).
Academic Reading scale
| Correct answers / 40 | 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 |
| 8–9 | 3.5 |
| 6–7 | 3.0 |
| 4–5 | 2.5 |
| 3 | 2.0 |
| 2 | 1.5 |
| 1 | 1.0 |
General Training Reading scale
| Correct answers / 40 | 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 |
| 12–14 | 3.5 |
| 9–11 | 3.0 |
| 6–8 | 2.5 |
Typical conversions. Actual boundaries vary by about a mark between test versions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Reading scale different for Academic and General Training?
Yes. General Training Reading is marked on a stricter scale — you usually need more correct answers for the same band. For example, band 7 is about 30/40 on Academic but about 34/40 on General Training.
How many do I need for band 7 in Academic Reading?
About 30 out of 40 on the typical scale, rising to roughly 35 for band 8 and 39–40 for band 9.
Are these boundaries exact?
No. The IELTS partners do not publish a fixed table and the marks needed shift slightly between test versions. Treat the result as a close estimate.
Source
Band anchor marks and the Academic/General difference: IELTS — Scoring in detail (ielts.org).
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