IELTS Reading Band Score Calculator [IDP/BC]
This user-friendly IELTS Reading band score calculator takes your raw scores/total marks (out of 40) and converts them into an estimated band score (out of 9).
| IELTS Reading Band Score Calculator (ACADEMIC) |
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| *Please note that this is an estimated band score as the grading may slightly vary based on the complexity of the exam. |
| IELTS Reading Band Scores Calculator (GENERAL TRAINING) |
|---|
| *Please note that this is an estimated band score as the grading may slightly vary based on the complexity of the exam. |
Resources to help you score better in IELTS Reading:
☑️ Read our IELTS Reading Beginners Guide to understand the exam pattern.
☑️ Practice from our largest collection of free reading practice tests. We’ve plenty!
☑️ Browse through our extremely useful tips and tricks to score band 9 in the Reading module.
IELTS Reading Marking Criteria
An important aspect of your IELTS Reading preparation is knowing how you will be marked for your answers. Here, both IDP Australia & British Council use similar criteria to calculate band scores. However, the IELTS Academic and General Training versions have distinctive exam formats and therefore, the marking criteria are slightly different.
In the Reading exam, you will have 40 questions based on three different passages presented to you in the question booklet.
You’ll get 01 mark for each correct answer and you will be happy to know that there is NO negative marking.
So, the total number of correct answers (out of 40) will determine your band scores in Reading.
It should also be noted that scores are reported in whole (for example; 9.0, 8.0, 7.0 etc) or half (for example; 8.5, 7.5, 6.5 etc) bands.
The score charts/tables used by our IELTS Reading Band Score Calculator are given below, they indicate the number of raw answers that should be correct in order to achieve a particular band score in IELTS Reading:
IELTS Academic Reading Band Score Chart
| Number of correct answers (out of 40) | Band scores |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 08 – 09 | 3.5 |
| 06 – 07 | 3.0 |
| 04 – 05 | 2.5 |
For instance, if
- You’ve scored 39/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘9.0′
- You’ve scored 37/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘8.5’
- You’ve scored 35/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘8.0′
- You’ve scored 33/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘7.5’
- You’ve scored 30/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘7.0’
- You’ve scored 27/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘6.5’
- You’ve scored 23/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘6.0’
- You’ve scored 21/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘5.5’
- You’ve scored 15/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘5.0’
- You’ve scored 13/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘4.5’
- You’ve scored 10/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘4.0’
- You’ve scored 08/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘3.5’
- You’ve scored 06/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘3.0’
- You’ve scored 04/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘2.5’
IELTS General Reading Band Score Chart
| Number of correct answers (out of 40) | Band scores |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 09 – 11 | 3.0 |
| 06 – 08 | 2.5 |
For instance, if
- You’ve scored 40/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘9.0′
- You’ve scored 39/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘8.5’
- You’ve scored 37/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘8.0′
- You’ve scored 36/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘7.5’
- You’ve scored 35/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘7.0’
- You’ve scored 32/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘6.5’
- You’ve scored 30/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘6.0’
- You’ve scored 27/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘5.5’
- You’ve scored 23/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘5.0’
- You’ve scored 19/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘4.5’
- You’ve scored 15/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘4.0’
- You’ve scored 12/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘3.5’
- You’ve scored 09/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘3.0’
- You’ve scored 06/40 marks, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Reading will be ‘2.5’
IELTS Reading Band Descriptors
In your IELTS journey, you must have wondered why band scores are so important? what they signify? why are they such a big deal for university admissions or immigration?
Well.. let me tell you, each Reading band score is rated against a particular English language skill level. As such, the band description will help the agencies or organisations where you’re applying, to gauge your English reading strengths and weaknesses.
The band descriptors used for Reading module remain same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. Both test versions employ a similar 9-Band scale to rate candidate’s performance in the Reading exam.
For better understanding, observe the table given below:
| Band Score | Skill Level | Band Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | ➡️ The test taker has full operational command over the language. ➡️ The test taker’s English reading demonstrate a complete understanding of the language. ➡️ The test taker understand and use the language appropriately, accurately and fluently. |
| 8 | Very good user | ➡️ The test taker has complete operational command of the language with rare mistakes and inappropriate grammar usage. ➡️ The test taker may not understand certain things in unfamiliar circumstances. ➡️ The test taker handles the detailed and complex argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good user | ➡️ The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional errors, inappropriate grammar and slight misunderstandings at some places. ➡️ The test taker can understand detailed reasoning and generally manage to read the complex language well. |
| 6 | Competent user | ➡️ The test taker has an effective grip over the reading part despite some mistakes, inappropriate grammar and slight misunderstandings. ➡️ The test taker can communicate in fairly complex language, particularly in well-known situations. |
| 5 | Modest user | ➡️ The test taker has partial command of the language and understands the overall meaning in different English readings. ➡️ The test taker is likely to make frequent reading misinterpretations. ➡️ The test taker can handle basic readings related to his domain. |
| 4 | Limited user | ➡️ The test taker has basic competency limited to familiar circumstances. ➡️ The test taker frequently demonstrate difficulty in understanding and expression. ➡️ The test taker is unable to read any complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | ➡️ The test taker understands and conveys only the general meaning of the language in very familiar situations. ➡️ Frequent breakdowns can be observed in communication. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | ➡️ The test taker has immense difficulty understanding written English. |
| 1 | Non-user | ➡️ The test taker has no ability to use the English language except a small list of isolated words. |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test | ➡️ The test taker did not answer any Reading questions. |
ALL THE BEST!
