IELTS Reading Band Score Chart: What You Need to Know

IELTS Reading is one of the four core components of IELTS. It is important to understand the scoring breakdown of this section in order to get the best possible score.

By understanding the IELTS Reading Band Score Chart, you can better prepare for the exam and improve your chances of getting the score you need.

Decoding the IELTS Reading Band Score Chart

The IELTS Reading Band Score Chart is a valuable resource for anyone who is taking the IELTS. It provides information on how to interpret your score and what it means for your English language proficiency. IELTS Reading consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. One mark is awarded for each correct response. The scores are calculated on a nine-band scale, with half bands available.

The IELTS reading score chart is divided into nine bands, each of which represents a different level of English language ability. The grades for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Reading exams are the same. So, to achieve a certain band score, you will need to answer a certain number of questions correctly.

Preparing for IELTS and need a quick plan to improve your IELTS Reading band score? Check out this video! 

Understanding the Reading Scoring Criteria

The scoring criteria for the IELTS Reading test are based on four areas:

• Lexical Resource: This refers to the test-taker’s ability to understand and use a range of vocabulary.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This refers to the test-taker’s ability to use grammar correctly and effectively.
• Coherence and Cohesion: This refers to the test-taker’s ability to understand and write text that is well-organized and flows smoothly.
• Reading for Purpose: This refers to the test-taker’s ability to read for different purposes, such as to find specific information, to understand the main points of a passage, or to follow the writer’s argument.

IELTS Reading Band Scores: How Are They Determined?

The IELTS Reading Band Score Chart provides detailed information on how your score is calculated. To calculate the IELTS reading band score, the number of correct answers is converted to a raw score of 0 to 40.

This raw score is then converted to a band score of 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest and 0 being the lowest. The reading band score chart is shown below.

IELTS Academic Score Chart:

IELTS General Training Reading Score Chart:

Learn About Calculating your IELTS Band Score!

The overall IELTS band score is calculated by averaging the four individual scores, rounded to the nearest half or whole band. The individual scores are equally weighted.

• If the average of the four scores ends in 0.25, the overall band score is rounded up to the next half band.
• If the average of the four scores ends in 0.75, the overall band score is rounded up to the next whole band.
• If the average of the four scores is less than 0.25 or 0.75, the overall band score is rounded down

For example, if your individual scores are 6.5, 7.5, 8, and 8.5, the average of your scores is 7.25. This would be rounded up to 7.5, the nearest half band.

For example, for Listening 6, Reading 7, Writing 8, Speaking 7, the total score is (6+7+8+7) / 4 = 7.

The score is either 1-band or 1-band 1/2 (such as 7 or 7.5). Other fractions such as 7.25 and 7.75 are not allowed.

So what do they do if the total score is neither a full band nor a half band?

Calculating your IELTS Band Score: important Rule 

Round up to the nearest half score if it ends in 0.25 and round up to the nearest full band score if it ends in 0.75.

Let us understand the above rule with the help of some examples

• If you get 6 in IELTS Listening, 7 in Reading, 8 in Writing, 6 in Speaking, your total score is (6+7+8+6)/4 = 6.75 – the rules say round up – so you get 7. increase.
• If your score was IELTS Listening 6, IELTS Reading 7, IELTS Writing 8, IELTS Speaking 8, then your total score is (6+7+8+8)/4 = 7.25 – round up to 1/2 in the rules – then the actual band you received is 7.5.
• But if you get 6 for Listening, 6.5 for Reading, 6 for Writing, and 6 for IELTS Speaking, your total score is (6+6.5+6+6)/4 = 6.125. The rule is to round down to the nearest full band score. So you get 6.
• If you get 6.5 in listening, 6.5 in reading, 6.5 in writing, and 7 in speaking, your total score is (6.5 + 6.5 + 6.5 + 7) / 4 = 6.625 – the rules round down to the nearest half-band score – i.e. you get 6.5.

It’s not that burdensome if you get the hang of it. And, don’t forget to apply rounding rules when calculating your IELTS band score!

Top 10 Tips to Improve Your Reading Band Score

Achieving a higher IELTS Reading band score is a goal for many test-takers. With the right strategies and consistent practice, you can make significant improvements. So, here are top 10 tips to help you boost your Reading Band Score:

1. Practice reading different types of texts.
2. Learn new vocabulary and grammar.
3. Practice skimming and scanning techniques
4. Practice Time Management
5. Paraphrasing Skills
6. Improve Reading Speed
7. Take practice tests to evaluate yourself.
8. Get feedback on your performance.
9. Use context clues to help you understand unfamiliar words.
10. Stay calm and focused.

Conclusion

The IELTS Reading Band Score Chart is an essential tool for test-takers to assess their English reading skills. It can help you understand your current level, track your progress, and work towards your desired reading band score.

The IELTS reading score chart also provides guidance on how to prepare for the IELTS Reading test, emphasizing the importance of practice and understanding the scoring criteria.

Also Read:

• IELTS Average Score Trends: Across India and Worldwide 2024
• IELTS Reading recent actual tests
• IELTS Reading Tips And Techniques To Increase Your Reading Speed
• IELTS Reading Practice Tests
• 101 IELTS Academic Reading Past Test Papers with Answers PDF Download
• What is the IELTS Maximum Score? What does your IELTS Score mean?
• IELTS Band Calculator: Find Your Score in Minutes!