The IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes long and contains three sections with 40 questions in total. Every question is worth one mark, with the raw score converted to a band between 1 and 9. The test differs significantly between Academic and General Training, Academic uses three long academic passages while General Training uses shorter, everyday texts.
Reading at a glance
Reading is a time-pressure test as much as it is a language test. Most candidates can answer correctly given unlimited time, the challenge is doing it in 60 minutes while transferring answers to the answer sheet. On the paper-based test, there is no extra time at the end to transfer answers. On computer-based you type directly into the answer field, which saves time.
The 14 question types you will see
IELTS Reading uses 14 different question types across the test. Knowing each format in advance is the single biggest preparation advantage you can give yourself. The most common types are:
Matching headings
You match a heading from a list to each paragraph in the passage. Appears in over 70% of Academic tests. Easy to get wrong because two headings often seem to fit.
True / False / Not Given
You decide whether a statement matches information in the passage, contradicts it, or is not mentioned at all. The Not Given option trips up most candidates.
Sentence completion
You fill in a gap in a sentence using words from the passage. Word limit matters, exceeding it loses the mark.
Multiple choice
You select one or more correct answers from a list. The wrong options are often deliberately tempting but technically incorrect.
Each question type has its own optimal strategy. Our Reading preparation guide covers the technique for each one in detail.
Academic vs General Training, the key differences
The Reading test format is identical in length and timing, but the content differs significantly.
Three academic passages
Long passages taken from journals, magazines, books and newspapers. Topics chosen to be of general interest, you do not need specialist knowledge.
- Passage length: 700-1,000 words each
- Total reading: 2,150-2,750 words
- Difficulty increases through the test
- Vocabulary is more academic in tone
Section-based content
Three sections of different text types reflecting situations you might encounter in an English-speaking country.
- Section 1: 2-3 short texts (notices, ads)
- Section 2: 1-2 work-related texts
- Section 3: One long general interest text
- Generally easier vocabulary than Academic
How Reading is scored
Your raw score out of 40 converts to a band score on a fixed scale that differs slightly between Academic and General Training versions. General Training requires more correct answers for the same band because the texts are easier overall.
For band 7, Academic candidates need 30-32 correct answers. General Training candidates need 34-35 correct for the same band. This is why universities often accept Academic 6.5 as equivalent to General Training 7.0.
The full conversion table is on our Reading band scores page, including the specific raw-to-band mapping for both test types.
The mistakes we see most often
After marking thousands of practice tests, these patterns appear repeatedly in candidates who underperform their natural reading ability.
Spending too long on individual questions
Reading is a time-management test. If you spend three minutes on one tough question, you lose time for four easier questions later. The strategy that lifts most candidates by half a band is: flag any question taking more than 90 seconds, move on, return at the end.
Reading the entire passage before looking at questions
The passages are too long to read carefully in the time available. The efficient approach is to skim the passage for structure, then read each question and scan back to find the answer location. You never need to understand every sentence.
Confusing False with Not Given
"False" means the passage contradicts the statement. "Not Given" means the passage neither confirms nor contradicts. If you cannot find anything in the passage about the statement, the answer is Not Given, not False.
Exceeding the word limit
"No more than three words" means three words maximum. "Two words and/or a number" means up to two words and optionally one number. Exceeding the limit means the answer is marked wrong even if the words are correct.
The last 10 minutes of Reading are when most candidates lose marks. They rush through the final section, leaving questions blank or guessing wildly. Reserve the easier-looking Section 1 questions for late in the test, they take less time and shore up your score.
Band 6 vs Band 7, the real difference
Many candidates plateau at band 6.5 and cannot understand why they are not scoring 7.0. The difference is rarely about vocabulary or grammar comprehension. It is almost always about reading strategy under time pressure.
Reads each passage carefully top to bottom. Understands the text well but runs out of time, leaving 3-5 questions unanswered or guessed.
Skims for structure first, then targets each question. May not understand every sentence in detail but finds all answer locations within the time limit.
The band 7.5 reader is not necessarily better at English than the band 6.5 reader. They are better at reading strategically.
Choose your preparation path
What to expect on test day
Skim each passage
2-3 minutes per passage to identify structure
Read questions first
Know what you are looking for before scanning
Locate and answer
Scan back to the relevant section, then answer
Transfer answers
Allow 5 min for the answer sheet (paper test only)
Frequently asked questions
Is there extra time to transfer answers in IELTS Reading?
No. Unlike the Listening test, there is no extra time at the end of Reading to transfer answers from the question booklet to the answer sheet. The 60 minutes includes everything. On computer-based IELTS this is not an issue because you type directly into the answer fields.
What is the difference in difficulty between Academic and General Training Reading?
Academic passages use more sophisticated vocabulary and longer sentence structures from academic sources. General Training texts are taken from everyday materials and are easier to read. To compensate, the band conversion is harder for General Training, you need to answer more questions correctly for the same band score.
Can I write answers in capital letters?
Yes. Many examiners actually prefer capital letters because they are easier to read. There is no penalty either way. What matters is that your answer is legible and spelled correctly.
Are spelling mistakes penalised?
Yes. If the word is misspelled, the answer is marked wrong even if the meaning is clear. This is one of the most common reasons candidates lose marks on questions they actually answered correctly. Both British and American spellings are accepted.
How many questions do I need correct for band 7 in Academic Reading?
You typically need 30-32 correct answers out of 40 for band 7 in Academic Reading. For band 6.5 you need 26-29, and for band 7.5 you need 33-34. The exact threshold varies slightly between tests.