How is IELTS Reading band score calculated?

Your raw score (number of correct answers out of 40) is converted to an IELTS band score on the 0–9 scale using an official conversion table published by Cambridge ESOL. Each correct answer scores one mark. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Academic and General Training use different conversion tables because the difficulty of the passages differs.

Why do Academic and General Training use different conversion scales?

Academic Reading passages are more linguistically demanding than General Training passages, so fewer correct answers are required to achieve the same band score in Academic Reading. This normalises for difficulty: a Band 7.0 in Academic Reading and a Band 7.0 in General Training represent equivalent English proficiency levels, even though the Academic version requires fewer raw marks (approximately 30–32 vs 34–35 for General Training).

Are band score conversions published officially by IELTS?

Cambridge ESOL publishes indicative conversion ranges, but the exact conversion can vary slightly between individual test versions — each paper is slightly different in difficulty, and scores are equated accordingly. The conversion tables shown here are the widely accepted standard ranges and are accurate for the vast majority of papers. For your actual test score, Cambridge's own marking system determines the final conversion.

If I score 30/40, what band score is that?

In Academic Reading, 30 correct answers corresponds to approximately Band 7.0. In General Training Reading, 30 correct answers corresponds to approximately Band 6.0. This illustrates why it matters which version you take: the same raw accuracy produces a different band score depending on the test type.

What is 0.5 band scores — can I score Band 6.5?

Yes. IELTS reports scores in 0.5 increments: 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0. The overall IELTS band score (averaging all four modules) can also be a 0.5 increment. Band 6.5 in Reading is achievable at a specific raw score range — for Academic, approximately 27–29 correct.

Does my IELTS Reading score expire?

IELTS test results are valid for two years from the test date. After two years, most institutions and immigration authorities will not accept the score. If your test date is approaching the two-year limit, you should retake the test if you need to submit scores for a new application.

Reading8 min read·Updated June 5, 2026

IELTS Reading Score Calculator: Academic & GT Band Scores Mapped

Interactive IELTS Reading score calculator. Enter your raw score (0–40) for Academic or General Training and get your band score instantly. Full conversion tables included.

Start Now Mock Test →Free Diagnostic

IELTS Reading score calculator showing band score conversion for Academic and General Training

Written by mockDe Editorial Team· IELTS preparation specialists

Last Updated June 5, 2026

8 min read

Ask AI:

Reading guide series

IELTS Reading Practice

Key Takeaways

Each correct answer = 1 mark. 40 questions total. No negative marking.
Academic and General Training use different conversion scales — same raw score gives different band scores.
Band 7.0 Academic ≈ 30–32 correct. Band 7.0 General Training ≈ 34–35 correct.
IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.
Use the calculator above to find your band score from any raw score instantly.

How do I calculate my IELTS Reading band score?

Count your correct answers out of 40 and look up that number in the appropriate conversion table — Academic or General Training. Each version uses a different scale because the difficulty differs. Band scores are reported in 0.5 increments from 0 to 9.

Academic: 30–32 correct ≈ Band 7.0; 35–36 ≈ Band 8.0
General Training: 34–35 correct ≈ Band 7.0; 37–38 ≈ Band 8.0
No negative marking — always attempt every question
Scores valid for 2 years from test date

AI-ready answer · mockde.com

Part of the IELTS Reading cluster

IELTS Reading: The Complete Blueprint

Interactive Score Calculator

IELTS Reading Score Calculator

Enter your correct answers to find your band score

Test type

Correct answers (out of 40)

010203040

Your band score

7.0

Academic Reading — 30/40 correct

Conversion based on indicative Cambridge ESOL band score tables. Actual test scores may vary slightly between individual paper versions.

How Band Score Conversion Works

Verified: Cambridge ESOL — Band Score Information

Your raw score (number of correct answers out of 40) is mapped to a band score using Cambridge ESOL's official conversion table. The mapping is not linear — moving from Band 6.5 to 7.0 requires fewer additional correct answers than moving from Band 5.0 to 5.5.

The conversion tables represent typical score ranges. The exact boundary between adjacent bands can shift slightly between individual test versions because each paper undergoes statistical equating to account for difficulty variation between papers. The ranges shown here are the standard indicative ranges used by preparation providers.

Academic and General Training use separate conversion tables. Academic passages are harder, so fewer raw marks are needed for an equivalent band score. A Band 7.0 in Academic Reading requires approximately 30–32 correct answers; Band 7.0 in General Training requires approximately 34–35. This represents an approximately equal level of English proficiency — the different raw thresholds reflect the difficulty difference between the two test versions.

Full Academic Reading Conversion Table

Band Score	Raw Score (correct/40)	Accuracy
9.0	39–40	98–100%
8.5	37–38	93–95%
8.0	35–36	88–90%
7.5	33–34	83–85%
7.0	30–32	75–80%
6.5	27–29	68–73%
6.0	23–26	57–65%
5.5	19–22	48–55%
5.0	15–18	38–45%
4.5	13–14	33–35%
4.0	10–12	25–30%
3.5	8–9	20–23%
3.0	6–7	15–18%
2.5	4–5	10–13%

Full General Training Conversion Table

Band Score	Raw Score (correct/40)	Accuracy
9.0	40	100%
8.5	39	98%
8.0	37–38	93–95%
7.5	36	90%
7.0	34–35	85–88%
6.5	32–33	80–83%
6.0	30–31	75–78%
5.5	27–29	68–73%
5.0	23–26	57–65%
4.5	19–22	48–55%
4.0	15–18	38–45%
3.5	12–14	30–35%
3.0	9–11	23–28%
2.5	6–8	15–20%

What Your Score Means

Band 8.0–9.0

Expert reader. Full comprehension of dense academic texts under time pressure. Appropriate for all university programmes and professional registration in any field.

Band 7.0–7.5

Good user. Occasional comprehension errors in unfamiliar contexts. Meets requirements for most universities and skilled migration visas. Competitive for postgraduate admission.

Band 6.0–6.5

Competent user. Adequate comprehension of general academic texts. Meets minimum requirements for many undergraduate programmes and some migration pathways. May not meet requirements for Medicine, Law, or competitive postgraduate admission.

Band 5.0–5.5

Modest user. Partial comprehension with significant errors in complex passages. Usually does not meet requirements for university admission or skilled migration. Further preparation recommended.

For band-specific improvement strategies, see our guides on breaking through Band 6.5 and achieving Band 9.

Know your target — now go get it

Take a full timed IELTS Reading practice test, count your correct answers, and use the calculator above to find your current band score. Your next step is to close the gap.

Take a Practice Test