IELTS Listening and Reading: how raw scores become bands
IELTS Listening and Reading each have 40 questions, and your raw score (the number correct) is converted to a band on the nine-point scale. There is no deduction for wrong answers, so you should answer every question, even if you have to guess.
How the conversion works
Each correct answer is worth one mark, out of 40. A conversion table maps the raw score to a band; roughly, about 30/40 is near Band 7 and about 35/40 is near Band 8, though exact boundaries vary by test version.
Academic Reading and General Training Reading use different conversion tables, because the texts differ in difficulty.
Practical implications
Because there is no negative marking, never leave a blank — a guess has a chance of being right.
Spelling and grammar must be correct in Listening and Reading answers; a misspelled word is marked wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in IELTS?
No. You lose no marks for wrong answers, so you should attempt every question.
How many questions do I need for Band 7 in Reading?
Roughly 30 out of 40 correct in Academic Reading is around Band 7, but the exact boundary varies slightly between test versions.
Does spelling matter in Listening and Reading?
Yes. An answer must be spelled correctly to be marked right, even if you clearly heard or read the word.
Related guides
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