IELTS Reading Test
On this page you will learn about the IELTS Reading Test and how to best prepare for achieving a high score.

We have provided you with:
- IELTS reading test format
- How is IELTS reading test scored?
- How to prepare for IELTS reading test?
- IELTS reading preparation advice
- 5 Tips for IELTS reading
See also:
IELTS Reading Test Format – Academic vs General Training?
There are two types of IELTS Tests: Academic and General Training. Both test modules require you to answer 40 reading questions and you will be given 60 minutes to complete the task.
IELTS Academic and General reading test have a similar structure, but the main difference is the level of difficulty.
To gain a better understanding of the differences, see the following comparison:
IELTS Academic Reading
Duration: 60 minutes
40 questions in 3 sections
Texts are from:
- books
- journals
- magazines
- newspapers
Texts are scientific, technical, and more difficult, which range from descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.
IELTS General Reading
Duration: 60 minutes
40 questions in 3 sections
Texts are from:
- books
- magazines and newspapers
- notices and advertisements
- company handbooks and guidelines
Texts are easier and related to everyday life, which you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
For a more detailed overview of the IELTS Test Format, see the British Council website.
IELTS Reading Test Scoring – Academic vs General Training?
You are awarded 1 point for each correct answer. After your reading test has been marked, it will be then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. The final score is reported as a band or half a band (e.g. 6.0 or 6.5).
The scores are converted differently, depending on whether you are taking the IELTS Academic or General Training test module. For the comparison, see the following tables:
IELTS Academic Reading Score
Band Score | Correct Answers |
9 | 40 |
8.5 | 39 |
8 | 37–38 |
7.5 | 36 |
7 | 34–35 |
6.5 | 32–33 |
6 | 30–31 |
5.5 | 27–29 |
5 | 23–26 |
4.5 | 19–22 |
4 | 15–18 |
3.5 | 12–14 |
3 | 9–11 |
2.5 | 6–8 |
IELTS General Reading Score
Band Score | Correct Answers |
9 | 39-40 |
8.5 | 37-38 |
8 | 35–36 |
7.5 | 33-34 |
7 | 30-32 |
6.5 | 27-29 |
6 | 23-26 |
5.5 | 19-22 |
5 | 15-18 |
4.5 | 13-14 |
4 | 10-12 |
3.5 | 8-9 |
3 | 6-7 |
2.5 | 4-5 |
How to prepare for IELTS Reading Test?
Let us break it down to 5 simple steps for you:
- Obtain a good practice book
- For instance, we recommend you use one of the Cambridge IELTS practice books
- If you have obtained a Cambridge IELTS book then flick through the book and see what's there. These books will give you a very good idea about how the real exam looks like.
- Or why not take a Full IELTS General Reading Test (provided by IELTS.org) that we have prepared for you
- Prepare an answer sheet
- You can print out the official answer sheet or use our own custom answer sheet, where we have fit 4 tests in one page.
- Make yourself familiar with the IELTS reading test format
- There are 3 reading sections
- Sections 1 and 2 may have several texts
- Sections get increasingly difficult
- About 40 questions in total (never leave anything blank!)
- Take the first practice test
- Start practice with the first test without limiting your time to one hour
- Understand different types of exercises and questions
- Determine your weak spots, e.g. the toughest part is commonly the true-false-not given type of exercise
- Learn some tips (find some below!)
- Now, practice under exam conditions – at least 3 times!
- Use the printed answer sheet
- Allow only 1 hour to complete the practice test
- Analyse your mistakes
- Take at least 3 reading practice tests to feel confident and to find out your score
- And allow a bit of extra practice to improve your weak areas
These five steps are really enough to get started and repeating them all over again consolidates your knowledge and improves your skills.