IELTS Reading Module Test Format
- A total of 40 questions come from 3 sections.
- The first section is the easiest one, as the texts are given from everyday topics such as notices, instructions, newspapers and advertisements. It tests how well you can deal with the most common types of texts.
- In the second section, you must deal with two short texts based on workplace contexts such as job application, wages, working conditions, work contracts and training materials.
- The third section is more difficult than the first two. It assesses your ability to understand the main idea, arguments and writer’s opinions. It features more often a complex article or an essay on a general interest topic from a magazine, newspaper or online source.
- A total of 60 minutes is given to solve this part.
- It consists of 3 sections with total 40 questions in total.
- There are from 10 to 17 questions in each section.
- The test duration is 60 minutes.
- There are different types of questions such as: Multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching paragraphs, short answer questions, sentence completion, classification and notes, summary, diagram, plan and chart completion
- The paragraphs or texts are taken from journals, newspapers, magazines, or from websites. The nature of the texts is academic, and suitable for students entering university.
Marking Scheme:
In IELTS, you get marks from 0 to 9 band scale. You get one mark for each correct answer i.e 10 marks for 10 correct answers.
There are the following conversion tables, which are followed to give you score in the IELTS exam:
Academic Reading Table | |
Raw Score (out of 40) | Band Score (from 0 to 9-band scale) |
39-40 | 9 |
37-38 | 8.5 |
35-36 | 8 |
33-34 | 7.5 |
30-32 | 7 |
27-29 | 6.5 |
23-26 | 6 |
19-22 | 5.5 |
15-18 | 5 |
13-14 | 4.5 |
10-12 | 4 |
8-9 | 3.5 |
6-7 | 3 |
4-5 | 2.5 |
GT Reading Table | |
Raw Score (out of 40) | Band Score (from 0 to 9-band scale) |
40 | 9 |
39 | 8.5 |
37-38 | 8 |
36 | 7.5 |
34-35 | 7 |
32-33 | 6.5 |
30-31 | 6 |
27-29 | 5.5 |
23-26 | 5 |
19-22 | 4.5 |
15-18 | 4 |
12-14 | 3.5 |
9-11 | 3 |
6-8 | 2.5 |
You should follow the below hacks to ace this section:
Reading Tips:
- Practice makes a man perfect, therefore, practice reading various academic texts to enhance your reading and analytical skills.
- Master reading and solving texts within allotted time. Do time yourself to improve speed.
- Develop your skimming and scanning techniques.
- Enhance your academic vocabulary for quick and better comprehension of the given paragraphs.
- Before answering, make sure you have recognized the main idea, implied meaning, arguments and writer’s opinions in the passage.