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IELTS Reading

IELTS Reading

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IELTS Exam Date:04 Dec' 25 - 04 Dec' 25

#IELTS
M AnushaUpdated on 29 Aug 2023, 03:40 PM IST

IELTS Reading - The IELTS reading test is one of the components of the IELTS exam. The IELTS reading section is different in both IELTS general training reading and IELTS Academic. The duration of the IELTS reading task section is 60 minutes. The IELTS reading assesses the candidates skills like detailed reading, skimming, understanding arguments that are logical, and recognizing the writer's view, purpose, opinion, and attitude., etc. for a given written data or information. The general reading tests the candidates using reading passages from newspapers and magazines while the IELTS academic reading tests the candidate in academic concepts. Read the article to know more about the IELTS reading in terms of reading syllabus for IELTS exam, reading section pattern, scoring, sample questions, and reading passages, etc.

This Story also Contains

  1. The IELTS Reading Test format
  2. IELTS Academic Reading Question Types
  3. IELTS Reading Academic score
IELTS Reading
IELTS Reading

IELTS Reading Module Overview

Section Duration

60 minutes

Number of Question Types

11

No. of questions

40

Number of Long Passages

3

The IELTS Reading Test format

The IELTS syllabus and the IELTS test pattern for the reading section of the IELTS academic reading and IELTS general are different. The detailed information of the test format for General and academic are provided below.

IELTS Academic Reading - The reading section in academic consists o f 3 long passages extracted from books, magazines and newspapers. These IELTS reading texts would be appropriate for the candidates in academic backgrounds like university students and students who are registering for professional courses. The IELTS reading online passages are given in a variety of styles like narrative passage, descriptive passages, discursive passage and argumentative passage, etc. One of the three reading passage texts is logical type argument. The IELTS reading passages are not only written but also non verbal in the form of graphs, diagrams, tables, etc.

IELTS General Reading - The general reading test consists of 3 sections. The section 1 contains 2 to 3 short texts or several short texts, section 2 consists, section 3 consists of 1 long text. The three sections details are -

  • Section 1 - Focus on the texts related to social survival. Examples - notices, time tables, notices etc,

  • Section 2 - Focus on “workplace survival” concepts. For example -job descriptions, contracts, training materials and staff development etc.

  • Section 3 - Consists of text which are descriptive or narrative with general context from newspapers , books, magazines, etc.

IELTS Academic Reading Question Types

  • Multiple choice - There are 3 types in MCQ’s depending on the number of options test takers need to select the best one, two and three answers. The MCQ’s involve completing a sentence and answering the paragraph questions types.
  • Identifying information - From a given number of statements, the candidates have to identify whether the given statements which refer the passage are “true” or “false” or not given”
  • Identifying writer’s views/claims - From the given statement referring the passage, the candidate has to identify whether the statements agree with the writers views or claims by answering “Yes” or “No” or “ not given”
  • Matching information - The candidate has to scan the for the asked information from the reading passages. Rather than just headings, here candidates have to focus on the main information.
  • Matching headings - The candidate has to match the given headings to the given paragraphs.
  • Matching features - The given statements have to be matched with the given options but here there can be extra options which do not match any statement or else there can be options which match with more than one statement. In this IELTS reading question type the candidate ability to recognise relationships, opinions, theories and connection between facts
  • Matching Sentence Endings - The first half sentence in the question will be based on the text of the passage and options will be given to complete the statement. In this question type, the main idea understanding skills are assessed.
  • Sentence completion - Sentence must be completed as instructed. For example if the test takers are instructed“ no more than three words” then the candidate has to complete the sentence in three words. If more than 3 words are written then the candidate will lose the marks
  • Summary, note, table, flow chart completion - In this IELTS reading question type, the given summary texts or tables and flow charts which are incomplete must be completed.
  • Diagram Label Completion - The given labels of a diagram which relate to the text of the passage, must be completed as instructed.
  • Short-answer questions - The candidates have to answer the given questions related to paragraph in short length of word count instructed.
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IELTS Reading Academic score

The IELTS scores for reading are calculated in the form of bands 0 to 9. IELTS reading section consists of 40 questions, and each question carries 1 mark. These raw scores of IELTS Academic reading, out of the 40 marks are converted into IELTS reading bands of 0 to 9. The scoring for the IELTS academic and general training are graded on a same scale of 0 to 9 bands but the conversion rates from raw score to band score gets deferred.

Converted Raw scores to IELTS Reading bands for Academic

Raw score

Band score

2.3

4-5

3

6-7

3.5

9-8

4

12-10

4.5

14-13

5

15-18

5.5

19-22

6

26-23

6.5

29-27

7

30-32

7.5

34-33

8

36-35

8.5

38-37

9

40 -39

Converted Raw scores to IELTS Reading bands for General Training

Raw score

Band score

4

15

5

23

6

30

7

34

8

38


IELTS Reading Practice Test - One of the essential steps in preparing for the IELTS reading test is the IELTS speaking practice. Especially for the IELTS reading practice test, the official IELTS has provided the sample papers for the IELTS reading test online at https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/sample-test-questions#tab-2. In the IELTS reading mock test includes the IELTS general reading practice test as well as the IELTS academic reading practice test with answers in the form of PDF.

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Questions related to IELTS

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to IELTS ?
can someone get admission in German private university with 52% in bachelor's and 6.0 band score in IELTS with 1 year gap with no experience

Hello,

Yes, admission to a German private university with 52% in bachelors, 6.0 IELTS band, and a 1-year gap is possible, but options are limited.

Private universities in Germany are more flexible than public ones. You can apply for courses in management, business, or IT fields. However, you must justify the gap year and ensure a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP).

It’s better to contact universities directly, as some may ask for additional documents or foundation courses before admission.

Hope you understand.



Read Complete Answer
S
Sankalp Agrawal
31 Oct'25
Which is the Best IELTS coaching center in Hyderabad?

Hello,

Here I have list out some best IELTS coaching in Hyderabad.

Manhattan Review – Experienced trainers, online & offline classes, realistic practice tests.

Manya – The Princeton Review – Tailored lessons, progress tracking, classroom & online programs.

First Academy – Cambridge-certified trainers, interactive sessions, personalized feedback.

IELTSguru – One-on-one guidance, focus on test strategies and language skills.

Abhyaas & Novus Education – Affordable, small batches, full coverage of all IELTS modules.

Choose based on batch size, demo classes, fees, and reviews before enrolling.

All the best.

Read Complete Answer
S
Sankalp Agrawal
25 Oct'25
can i get ielts test study material and mock test??

Hello,

Here are the links where you can get study material for IELTS :

1. IELTS Mock Test 2025

2. IELTS Preparation books and study materials 2025

Hope it helps !

Read Complete Answer
P
Prachi Kumari
9 Oct'25
Need to have address and date of paper based ielts academic exam in the month of September 2025

The national test dates are September 6, 13, 18, and 27 for ielts academic exam.

Test centers and their addresses are decided by IDP Education and are available in major cities across the country.

You can get address here IELTS TEST CENTRES

You are running short of time usually the ideal time would be 2–3 months prior,i advice that you start with your applications that you can quicky begin with your study abroad procedure.

good luck..

Read Complete Answer
A
Afreen
23 Aug'25
I have decided to do my masters in biotech from germany i had a question that along with ielts and german proficiency test do we have to also give gate or gre test

Hello,

It depends on the university you are applying to. Most German universities do not require GATE for admission to a Master's in Biotechnology. However, some universities may ask for the GRE , especially if you are applying to a highly competitive program.

You should check the specific admission requirements of the universities you are interested in. Generally, having IELTS (or TOEFL) and a German language proficiency certificate (if the course is in German) is enough.

Hope it helps !

Read Complete Answer
P
Prachi Kumari
20 Mar'25
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