Imran in Indore finished his first Cambridge Academic Reading practice test, scored 28 out of 40, and felt uncertain about where he stood. That score equates to approximately Band 6.5.

Listening and Reading each have 40 one-mark questions, and as a rough guide about 30 correct answers give Band 7.0 in Listening and Academic Reading, while General Training Reading needs about 34. There is no negative marking, so never leave an answer blank.

Raw Score to Band Conversion Table

Because each test version is equated for difficulty, these figures are approximate and vary slightly between versions.

Band Listening (/40) Academic Reading (/40) GT Reading (/40)
9.0 39–40 39–40 40
8.5 37–38 37–38 39
8.0 35–36 35–36 37–38
7.5 32–34 33–34 36
7.0 30–31 30–32 34–35
6.5 26–29 27–29 32–33
6.0 23–25 23–26 30–31
5.5 18–22 19–22 27–29
5.0 16–17 15–18 23–26

Writing and Speaking have no raw score; they are marked against band descriptors. See how band scores are calculated.

Why General Training Reading Demands More Correct Answers

General Training Reading uses texts about everyday life and work, whereas Academic Reading uses three long texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

Because the texts are more everyday, the scale is stricter. For instance, 30 correct answers earn Band 7.0 in Academic Reading but Band 6.0 in General Training Reading. To check which version your application needs, see Academic vs General Training.

How to Turn the Conversion Chart into a Test Target

For Band 7.0 in Listening, you can miss about 10 questions. So when one question beats you, move on rather than panic.

You can lose marks even when you understood the answer. Common causes are spelling mistakes, wrong singular or plural forms and going over the word limit. British and American spellings are both accepted.

For listening technique, see our guide to IELTS Listening. For reading speed, try skimming and scanning methods.

Tracking Practice Test Scores Over Time

Score every official practice test, such as those in the official Cambridge IELTS practice books, and note the result in a simple tracker with three columns: Week, Listening /40 and Reading /40.

Over several weeks, the tracker shows whether you sit near the top or bottom of a band. For pacing in Reading, see our IELTS Reading strategy guide.

Common Scoring Misconceptions

Incorrect: “A wrong answer costs marks.”

Correct: No negative marking; guess rather than leave a blank.

Incorrect: “Same raw score, same band, in both Reading versions.”

Correct: GT needs more correct answers, so read the column for the version you are sitting.

Tip

After each practice test, write the cause beside every lost answer: spelling, singular or plural, word limit or missed content.

Quick Check

  1. You scored 28 in Academic Reading — what band is that?
  2. You need 7.5 in Listening — how many correct answers must you aim for?
  3. You scored 31 in General Training Reading — what band does that represent?
Show answers
  1. About Band 6.5 2. About 32 or more 3. About Band 6.0

Key Takeaways

  • Listening and Reading each contain 40 questions worth 1 mark each.
  • General Training Reading needs more correct answers for the same band.
  • There is no negative marking, so answer every question.
  • Writing and Speaking have no raw scores; they are marked against band descriptors.

The bottom line: Check each practice score against the right column, and answer every question, even when you are guessing.