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Practice IELTS Reading with authentic exam style passages, realistic question types, and for Academic and General Training. Get an instant estimated IELTS band score based on the official IELTS raw to band score conversion and identify areas for improvement in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and time management.
16 tests · Test 1 is free
The IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes long and contains 40 questions across three passages. Academic candidates read three long texts taken from journals, magazines, and books - typically academic in tone but accessible to non-specialists. General Training candidates read everyday-life material in section 1 (advertisements, notices), workplace texts in section 2, and one longer general-interest passage in section 3. The conversion table is different for each module, and we apply the right one automatically based on which test you choose.
Multiple choice, true/false/not given, yes/no/not given, matching headings, matching information, matching features, sentence completion, summary completion, note/table/flow-chart/diagram-label completion, and short-answer questions. Matching headings and T/F/NG eat the most candidate time - practice these specifically rather than burning attempts on whole tests.
Same 40 questions, different scaling. Academic Reading: 39–40 = band 9.0, 37–38 = 8.5, 35–36 = 8.0, 33–34 = 7.5, 30–32 = 7.0, 27–29 = 6.5, 23–26 = 6.0. General Training is more lenient - you need 40 for 9.0, 38–39 for 8.5, and 34–35 for 7.0. The two modules are not interchangeable - pick the one that matches your test booking.
Roughly 20 minutes per passage including transferring answers. The trap: passage 3 is the hardest and most time-pressured. Either 1) skim each passage for 2–3 minutes before reading questions, or 2) skip straight to questions and scan back. Most band-7+ candidates use method 2 for passages 1–2 and method 1 for passage 3. Don't leave answers blank - there's no negative marking.
True = the passage explicitly states this. False = the passage explicitly contradicts this. Not Given = the passage neither confirms nor denies. The most common error is marking 'False' when the answer is 'Not Given' - candidates infer beyond the text. Train this by, after each wrong answer, copy-pasting the exact passage sentence and asking: does it actually contradict the question, or just stay silent?
Each Reading mock on this site has authentic length (~2,500 to 2,800 words across three passages), authentic question distribution, and authentic difficulty calibration. Test 1 is free; you only pay to unlock more tests (Weekly $8, Monthly $20, or 60 Days $30), and every plan covers all 88 tests with AI examiner feedback on every Writing and Speaking submission. After every attempt, you'll see a per-question breakdown so you know exactly which question types are costing you bands.
The IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes long with 40 questions across three passages. IELTS Academic Reading uses three long passages from journals, magazines and books on academic topics; IELTS General Training Reading uses everyday material in section 1 (notices, advertisements), workplace texts in section 2, and one longer general-interest passage in section 3. Both modules use 11 question formats and the same 60-minute timing, but they use different raw-to-band conversion tables.
Yes. IELTS Reading Test 1 is free for both Academic and General Training, with no sign-up required. The test auto-grades the moment you click submit and you see a per-question breakdown with the correct answer and the official 2026 raw-to-band conversion. You get the same auto-scoring and answer review on free attempts as paid subscribers.
Academic and General Training Reading use different raw-to-band tables because GT passages are shorter and less complex. IELTS Academic Reading: 39 to 40 correct = band 9.0, 37 to 38 = 8.5, 35 to 36 = 8.0, 33 to 34 = 7.5, 30 to 32 = 7.0, 27 to 29 = 6.5, 23 to 26 = 6.0. IELTS General Training Reading is more demanding: 40 = 9.0, 39 = 8.5, 37 to 38 = 8.0, 36 = 7.5, 34 to 35 = 7.0, 32 to 33 = 6.5. Plug your raw score into the IELTS score calculator for an instant band.
Academic Reading is for university admission and professional registration; General Training Reading is for work, secondary education, training and immigration to Australia, Canada, the UK or New Zealand. Academic uses three long passages from academic-style sources; General Training uses everyday texts (advertisements, workplace notices) in sections 1 and 2 and one longer passage in section 3. The Listening and Speaking sections are identical for both modules.
Most universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ask for at least IELTS Academic Reading 6.0 at undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate. Russell Group, Ivy League, U15 Canada and Group of Eight institutions frequently require Reading 7.0 or higher; Medicine, Law and Nursing often require 7.0 to 7.5 in Reading specifically. See the IELTS score requirement by university for the verified Reading minimum at your target institution.
Canada's IRCC scores Reading via the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). CLB 7 (Canadian Experience Class floor) needs Reading 6.0. CLB 9 (competitive Federal Skilled Worker) needs Reading 7.0. UK work visas (Skilled Worker, Health & Care) require CEFR B1 (IELTS for UKVI Reading 4.0). Australia's Department of Home Affairs awards 0 visa points for Reading 6.0 (Competent), 10 for Reading 7.0 (Proficient) and 20 for Reading 8.0 (Superior).
