IELTS Academic Reading band score chart
IELTS Academic Reading band score chart: correct answers out of 40 for every band. Band 6.5 is 27–29, band 7 is 30–32, band 8 is 35–36.
IELTS Academic Reading has 40 questions worth one mark each. Band 6 needs about 23–26 correct answers, band 6.5 needs 27–29, band 7 needs 30–32 and band 8 needs 35–36. General Training Reading uses a different, harder chart.
| Correct answers (out of 40) | Band |
|---|---|
| 39–40 | 9.0 |
| 37–38 | 8.5 |
| 35–36official point | 8.0 |
| 33–34 | 7.5 |
| 30–32official point | 7.0 |
| 27–29 | 6.5 |
| 23–26official point | 6.0 |
| 19–22 | 5.5 |
| 15–18official point | 5.0 |
| 13–14 | 4.5 |
| 10–12 | 4.0 |
| 8–9 | 3.5 |
| 6–7 | 3.0 |
| 4–5 | 2.5 |
Why the chart is an estimate
IELTS publishes four exact points for Academic Reading: 15 correct answers for band 5, 23 for band 6, 30 for band 7 and 35 for band 8. The other rows come from past papers, and because each test version is equated a cut-off can shift by about a mark.
Each question is one mark with no penalty for wrong answers. Answers must be spelled correctly and must respect the word limit in the instructions, or they score nothing.
Academic vs General Training Reading
The same raw score is worth more on Academic Reading: 30 correct answers is band 7 on Academic but band 6.0 on General Training, because General Training texts are easier and the chart compensates.
Sit a timed Academic Reading section and see your band on this chart.
Common questions
How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in Academic Reading?
Band 7 in Academic Reading needs 30–32 correct answers out of 40. 30 is one of the official anchor points.
What is 35 out of 40 in IELTS Academic Reading?
35 correct answers is band 8.0 in Academic Reading — one of the four points IELTS publishes.
Is Academic Reading marked more strictly than General Training?
No — the texts are harder, so the chart is more generous. Academic needs fewer correct answers than General Training for the same band.