Learn how raw marks out of 40 convert to IELTS band scores, compare Academic vs General Reading conversions, and unlock scores.
Both the IELTS Listening and Reading sections consist of exactly 40 questions. For every question you answer correctly, you are awarded 1 mark (known as a raw score). Your raw score out of 40 is then converted into the official IELTS 9-band scale.
👉 No Negative Marking: You will not lose points for incorrect answers. Your score is based solely on the total number of correct answers. Never leave a question blank on the test sheet!
The Listening section uses the exact same conversion model for both Academic and General Training modules, as the recordings and booklets are identical:
| Raw Score (correct / 40) | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39 - 40 | 9.0 |
| 37 - 38 | 8.5 |
| 35 - 36 | 8.0 |
| 33 - 34 | 7.5 |
| 30 - 32 | 7.0 |
| 29 | 6.5 |
| 23 - 26 | 6.0 |
| 19 - 22 | 5.5 |
| 16 - 18 | 5.0 |
| 13 - 15 | 4.5 |
| 10 - 12 | 4.0 |
The Reading section grade boundaries differ significantly between modules because General Training contains shorter texts written in everyday English, while Academic contains longer, complex passages:
| Band Score | Academic Reading (correct / 40) | General Training Reading (correct / 40) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 39 - 40 | 40 |
| 8.5 | 37 - 38 | 39 |
| 8.0 | 35 - 36 | 38 |
| 7.5 | 33 - 34 | 36 - 37 |
| 7.0 | 30 - 32 | 34 - 35 |
| 6.5 | 29 | 32 - 33 |
| 6.0 | 23 - 26 | 30 - 31 |
| 5.5 | 19 - 22 | 27 - 29 |
| 5.0 | 15 - 18 | 23 - 26 |
| 4.5 | N/A | 19 - 22 |
| 4.0 | N/A | 15 - 18 |
Keep these important notes and parameters in mind when practicing and checking your practice test conversions:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exact conversions vary | The precise number of correct answers needed for each band varies slightly from test version to test version to keep evaluations fair across test difficulty levels. |
| Academic is harder | Academic Reading contains more complex academic journals and abstract vocabulary, which is why it requires fewer correct answers for a given band. |
| More answers needed | On General Training Reading, you must secure more correct answers to gain a specific band score due to the everyday nature of the texts. |
| No negative marking | Every correct answer counts. There is absolutely no penalty or negative score impact for a wrong answer. |
| Whole and half bands | All IELTS component and overall scores are reported as whole or half bands (e.g., 6.0, 6.5, 7.0). |
Unlock higher raw scores with these strategic guidelines during practice:
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS, writing three words results in an automatic wrong answer, even if the information is correct.💡 Key Strategy: For Reading, spend exactly ~20 minutes per passage. For Listening, stay highly focused during the audio playback—remember, you will hear the recording only once!
This guide is compiled for educational and informational purposes only. While every attempt is made to verify these raw-to-band conversions against current test guidelines, conversions fluctuate slightly between test sheets depending on calculated difficulty. For official details, please visit ielts.org.
* IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. IELTS Vocabs is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any of these official organizations.