IELTS Reading band score

Academic vs General Training Reading

Both tests last 60 minutes, have 40 questions in three sections, and use the same question types. The difference is the texts. Academic Reading has three long passages from books, journals and magazines, written for a general but educated reader. General Training starts with short everyday texts such as notices and adverts, moves to work-related texts such as job descriptions and staff guides, and ends with one longer text on a general topic.

Because the General Training texts are easier, its scale is stricter. At Band 7 the gap is 4 marks: 30 correct in Academic against 34 in General Training. At the top of the scale it narrows, and at Band 9 it is 1 mark.

Where most Reading marks are lost

• Running out of time. The passages get harder, so a candidate who spends 25 minutes on Passage 1 has too little left for Passage 3. Aim for about 17, 20 and 23 minutes.
• False vs Not Given. "False" means the text says the opposite; "Not Given" means the text does not say. Answering from your own knowledge is the usual mistake.
• Word limits and copying. Completion answers must use words from the text, spelled as in the text, within the word limit.
• Matching headings. Headings sum up a whole paragraph, so a heading that matches one sentence is often a trap.
• Forgetting to transfer. On paper there is no extra time, so write answers on the answer sheet as you go.