IELTS Reading Test
In IELTS, there are two types of IELTS Reading Tests: Academic and General Training. On this page, you will learn how the two IELTS reading tests differ from each other.
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IELTS Reading Test Format – Academic vs General Training?
Both IELTS Academic and General reading tests require you to answer 40 reading questions and you have 60 minutes to complete the task. Therefore, there is no difference in that regard.
Both tests have a similar structure; however, 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 complex; reading texts range from descriptive and factual to 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 usually a bit easier and related to everyday life, which you may encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
For a more detailed overview of the IELTS Test Format, see here.
IELTS Reading Test Scoring – Academic vs General Training?
You will get 1 point for each correct answer. After your reading test is marked and converted to the IELTS 9-band scale, your 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 take 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 |