Academic Reading How to determine band score for IELTS

 Understanding the IELTS Academic Reading score criteria before you start preparation can help you achieve a higher band score.

Most IELTS trainers believe that a IELTS Academic Reading Score of 7 or 8 band will contribute to a good overall band score.

Since the reading section has multiple choice questions and the scoring criteria are not subjective, you can score well and raise your overall IELTS band score with proper preparation and planning.

Time management is key in this section. Finding the correct solutions in limited time calls for your comprehension abilities. This blog will highlight IELTS Academic reading score criteria, calculation, conversion and ways to crack the IELTS reading section with 7+ band score

Did you know if you answer 30 out of 40 questions correctly on the IELTS Reading test, you get an IELTS Academic Reading score of 7.

IELTS Academic Reading Score: What do they mean?

The IELTS academic reading score gives insight into your reading abilities to immigration officials and institutions. The section has three long passages with 40 questions from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. The three passages are structured in an increasing difficulty pattern.

The reading section consists of various questions like multiple choices, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, summary completion, and sentence completion questions. The questions are designed to test a wide range of reading skills, including skimming, understanding logical arguments, reading for gist, and writers’ purposes.

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How to Calculate IELTS Academic Reading Score?

The IELTS Academic Reading score is graded on a scale of 1-9. The IELTS Academic reading score is calculated based on the total number of correct answers out of 40. The raw scores obtained from 40 will be further converted to the 1-9 bands. 

Depending on the number of correct answers, the IELTS Academic Reading score can be whole bands like 4 or 5 or half bands like 5.5 or 7.5. Also, if the decimal part exceeds 0.5, the score will be rounded off to the next upper value, i.e. 6.75 will be rounded as 7. And if the decimal point is below, the grade will be rounded off to the lower value, i.e. 7.2 will be rounded as 7.

For example:

1. Number of correct answers- 33

Raw score- 33

IELTS reading band score-7.5

2. Number of correct answers – 27

Raw score- 27

IELTS band score- 6.5

IELTS Academic Reading Score: Criteria & Band Descriptors

The scoring criteria for the IELTS reading module are quite simple. Each question is awarded 1 mark and 0 marks for incorrect answers. Hence there is no negative marking. Thus, you get a raw score for all the right answers that will be converted into a final IELTS Academic Reading score.

The IELTS Academic Reading score descriptors will reveal your English reading skills level. The band score you receive depends on the number of questions you have attempted.

With reference to the IELTS band descriptors, scoring a 7 and above in the reading section will contribute to the final IELTS Academic reading score. You can check your competency level from the below-given academic reading band score descriptor table

Band score	Level	Descriptor
9	Expert user	Depicts that you have a complete hold of the language and can use it fluently and accurately without any grammatical errors.
8	Very good user	Having a good command over the language but a little behind in a few unfamiliar situations. Capable of handling complex arguments.
7	Good user	Having an operational command over the language with some misunderstandings in some situations. Able to understand detailed reasoning passages and can handle complex language.
6	Competent user	Appropriate command of the language is exhibited, along with a few inaccuracies, misunderstandings, and inappropriate word usage at times.
5	Moderate user	A partial command over the language. Mistakes are likely to happen, and the candidate can understand the overall meaning in different situations.
4	Limited user	Basic competency level only in a familiar situation. Cannot handle complex language and faces difficulty in understanding different concepts.
3	Extremely limited user	Communicates with many breakdowns. Can understand and convey only in familiar situations with only general meaning.
2	Intermittent user	High difficulty level in understanding and expressing spoken and written English. Knows only a few selected words or phrases.
1	Non-user	No ability to use the English language at all. Knows only a very limited number of words or phrases used in familiar situations.