How many questions are in IELTS Reading?

There are 40 questions. They are spread across three passages (Academic) or three sections (General Training). Each correct answer scores one mark. There is no negative marking — so always write an answer, even if you are not sure.

How long is IELTS Reading?

60 minutes. Unlike the Listening test, there is no extra transfer time. Write your answers directly on the answer sheet as you go. Do not wait until the end.

What band score is 30 out of 40?

In Academic Reading, 30 out of 40 is Band 7.0. In General Training, 30 out of 40 is Band 6.0. The two tests use different conversion scales because General Training passages are easier. Always check which version you are taking.

Is there negative marking in IELTS Reading?

No. A wrong answer scores zero. A blank also scores zero. So always write something — a guess gives you a chance of getting a mark. A blank gives you none.

What is the hardest part of IELTS Reading?

Most people say time pressure. You have 90 seconds per question on average. Spending four minutes on one hard question means you cannot finish the test. The second hardest part is True/False/Not Given — especially knowing when something is False versus Not Given.

Do I need specialist knowledge to pass IELTS Reading?

No. The passages cover topics like science, history, and sociology — but they are written for any educated reader. You do not need to know the subject beforehand. Everything you need to answer the questions is in the passage.

Can I write on the question paper?

Yes. You can underline, circle keywords, and make notes on the question paper. Only what you write on the official answer sheet is marked. Use the question paper freely to help yourself.

Should I read the passage first or the questions first?

Read the questions first for most question types. This tells you what information to look for, which makes your reading faster and more accurate. The only exception is Matching Headings — for that type, skim the passage first to get the main idea of each paragraph.

How do I improve my IELTS Reading score quickly?

Fix your time management first. Most mark loss comes from not finishing Passage 3, not from a lack of vocabulary. Apply the 17-20-23 rule, enforce a 90-second per question limit, and never leave a blank. After that, drill your weakest two question types specifically.

How is IELTS Reading scored?

Each correct answer scores one mark. Your total raw score (0–40) is then converted to an IELTS band using an official table. Academic and General Training use different tables. Use our score calculator to find your band from any raw score.

Reading14 min read·Updated June 5, 2026

The Ultimate IELTS Reading Blueprint: Master Academic & General Training (Band 9 Guide)

The definitive IELTS Reading guide: 11 question types, band score conversion tables, 17-20-23 time rule, and a 4-week preparation plan. Academic and General Training.

Start Now Mock Test →Free Diagnostic

IELTS Reading blueprint showing all 11 question types and band score conversion table

Written by mockDe Editorial Team· IELTS preparation specialists

Last Updated June 5, 2026

14 min read

Ask AI:

Key Takeaways

40 questions. 60 minutes. No extra transfer time. That is 90 seconds per question.
Three passages (Academic) or three sections (General Training). Passages get harder as you go.
11 question types. You need to know the strategy for each one.
No negative marking. Never leave a blank — always write something.
The 17-20-23 rule: 17 min on Passage 1, 20 on Passage 2, 23 on Passage 3.

What is IELTS Reading and how does it work?

IELTS Reading is a 60-minute test with 40 questions. You read three passages and answer questions that test whether you can find information, understand the writer's meaning, and follow an argument. Academic Reading uses journal-style texts. General Training uses everyday practical texts.

40 questions across 3 passages — each passage is harder than the last
No negative marking — guess if you are unsure
11 question types — each one needs a specific strategy
Band scores go from 0 to 9 in 0.5 steps

AI-ready answer · mockde.com

What is IELTS Reading?

A 60-minute test with 40 questions across three reading passages. It measures whether you can read accurately and quickly in English — finding facts, understanding arguments, and recognising a writer's opinion.

Your raw score (correct answers out of 40) is converted to a band score from 0 to 9. Academic and General Training use different conversion tables.

What Is IELTS Reading?

IELTS Reading tests one thing: can you read English well enough to work, study, or live in an English-speaking country?

The test gives you three texts. You answer 40 questions about them in 60 minutes. The questions check different reading skills — finding a specific fact, spotting the writer's opinion, following the logic of an argument.

Here is what makes IELTS Reading hard: the texts use different words from the questions. If the passage says "the temperature rose sharply," the question might say "there was a rapid increase in heat." You have to match ideas, not copy words.

This guide covers everything. Format, question types, the time strategy that works, band scores, and a study plan. Each section links to a deeper article if you want more detail.

How the Test Is Structured

Verified: IELTS.org — Official Format

What	Detail
Number of passages	3 (each one harder than the last)
Total questions	40
Time	60 minutes — no extra transfer time
Time per question	90 seconds on average
Negative marking	None — always write an answer
Answer format	Write directly on the answer sheet as you go
Question types	Up to 11 different types in one paper
Scores reported	Band 0–9 in 0.5 steps (e.g. 6.5, 7.0, 7.5)

The three passages follow a clear pattern. Passage 1 is the easiest. Passage 3 is the hardest. Most people who lose marks do so on Passage 3 — either because they run out of time or because the vocabulary is harder.

You read from a printed paper and write on a separate answer sheet. On computer-based IELTS, you read on screen and type your answers. The content is identical on both formats.

Academic vs General Training: What Is Different?

There are two versions of IELTS Reading. Both have 40 questions and 60 minutes. But the texts are very different.

Feature	Academic	General Training
Who takes it	University applicants, doctors, lawyers	Work visas, migration, vocational study
Text type	Academic journals and books	Ads, workplace guides, magazine articles
Language level	Harder — formal, abstract	Easier — practical, everyday
Band 7.0 requires	~30 out of 40 correct	~34 out of 40 correct
Matching Headings	Very common	Less common

Academic texts are harder to read. But you need fewer correct answers for the same band score. General Training texts are easier — but you need more correct answers. It balances out.

You cannot choose which version to take. Your purpose decides it. If you are applying to university, you take Academic. If you are applying for a visa or skilled worker programme, you take General Training. See the full Academic vs General Training comparison.

All 11 Question Types Explained

A single IELTS Reading paper uses 5–7 different question types. You need to know all 11 because you never know which ones will appear. Here is what each type asks you to do and the one thing you must know about each.

1. Matching Headings

Match a heading to each paragraph. The heading describes the paragraph's main idea.

Key:

Skim each paragraph — first and last sentence only. Do not read the full paragraph.

2. True / False / Not Given

Decide if a statement is confirmed, contradicted, or not mentioned in the passage.

Key:

False = directly contradicted. Not Given = passage is silent. Never use your own knowledge.

3. Yes / No / Not Given

Same format as T/F/NG — but tests the writer's opinions, not facts.

Key:

Look for the writer's own opinion, not what other people say in the text.

4. Sentence Completion

Fill a gap in a sentence using words from the passage.

Key:

Copy the exact words. Count them. Never exceed the word limit — it scores zero.

5. Summary Completion

Complete a paragraph summary using words from the passage or a word box.

Key:

Find the passage section that the summary covers first, then fill the gaps in order.

6. Multiple Choice

Pick the correct option (A, B, C, or D) for a question about the passage.

Key:

Find the evidence in the passage before you read the options. Never answer from memory.

7. Matching Information

Match a piece of information to the paragraph it appears in.

Key:

Answers are not in order. Scan the whole passage using keywords.

8. Matching Features

Match names, dates, or categories to characteristics listed in the passage.

Key:

The same answer can be used more than once. Do not cross options off.

9. Diagram / Flow-Chart Completion

Label a diagram or complete stages of a process using words from the text.

Key:

Find the passage section describing the diagram first. Then fill the gaps.

10. Short Answer Questions

Write a short answer using words from the passage.

Key:

Copy exact words. Never paraphrase. Respect the word limit.

11. Table / Note Completion

Fill gaps in a table or notes using words from the passage.

Key:

Use the table's structure to find the right passage section quickly.

The 4 Skills That Decide Your Score

Every IELTS Reading question tests one of these four skills. Build these and every question type becomes easier.

1. Skimming

Reading quickly to get the main idea — not every word.

Used for: Matching Headings, initial passage overview

2. Scanning

Searching for a specific word, name, or number.

Used for: Sentence completion, short answer, True/False/Not Given location

3. Paraphrase recognition

Spotting when a question uses different words for the same idea as the passage.

Used for: Every question type — this is the core IELTS Reading skill

4. Context vocabulary

Working out what an unfamiliar word means from the surrounding sentences.

Used for: Passage 3 comprehension, any passage with specialist vocabulary

Time Management: The 17-20-23 Rule

Here is the truth: most people lose marks because they run out of time, not because they cannot understand the passages.

If you spend too long on Passage 1, you rush Passage 3. You leave five questions blank. That is five automatic zeros — and that can cost you a full band score.

The fix is simple. At the start of the test, write your target end-time for each passage on your question paper. Then stick to it.

Passage	Time	Why
Passage 1	17 minutes	It's the easiest. Move fast and bank time for later.
Passage 2	20 minutes	Medium difficulty. Keep a steady pace.
Passage 3	23 minutes	The hardest. Use the time you saved on Passage 1 here.

The 90-second rule

If any single question takes more than 90 seconds, stop. Write your best guess. Circle the question number. Move on. Come back if you have time at the end. Never spend four minutes on one question — it is worth the same one mark as an easy question.

For the full time management breakdown, including question-type ordering strategy, see our IELTS Reading time management guide.

Band Score Conversion Tables

Your raw score (number of correct answers) maps to a band score. Academic and General Training use different tables.

Academic Reading
Band	Correct answers
9.0	39–40
8.5	37–38
8.0	35–36
7.5	33–34
7.0	30–32
6.5	27–29
6.0	23–26
5.5	19–22
5.0	15–18

General Training Reading
Band	Correct answers
9.0	40
8.5	39
8.0	37–38
7.5	36
7.0	34–35
6.5	32–33
6.0	30–31
5.5	27–29
5.0	23–26

Enter your score in our interactive score calculator for an instant result.

The 5 Mistakes That Drop Your Band

These mistakes are not about comprehension. They are about procedure. You lose marks even though you understood the passage.

Writing three words when the limit says two

Fix:

Read the word limit instruction before every sentence completion group. Count your words before writing.

Choosing True when the answer is Not Given

Fix:

Find the specific passage sentence. If it does not explicitly confirm the statement, write Not Given — not True.

Reading every word of the passage

Fix:

Use the question-first method. Skim for structure. Scan for your answer. Read carefully only the 2–3 sentences that matter.

Spending more than 2 minutes on one question

Fix:

Write your best guess, circle the number, move on. Every question is worth one mark. No question is worth four minutes.

Leaving questions blank

Fix:

There is no penalty for a wrong answer. Always write something. A guess has a chance of being right. A blank is always zero.

See all 10 mistakes in our full guide: IELTS Reading mistakes that cost you a band score.

4-Week Study Plan

This plan works for 1–2 hours of daily study. It gives you enough time to fix your weaknesses before the exam.

Week 1— Diagnose + Learn Question Types

•Take one full Reading test under real time conditions. Mark your answers.
•Count how many wrong answers came from each question type.
•Your two weakest types become your focus for weeks 2 and 3.
•Read the dedicated guide for each of your two weakest types.

Week 2— Skimming, Scanning & Paraphrasing

•Read one article from The Economist or BBC Future every day. Skim it in 90 seconds.
•Practise paraphrase recognition: for each IELTS question, identify what synonym the passage uses.
•Complete one timed passage per day from Cambridge IELTS Series 14–18.

Week 3— Timed Full Tests

•Take two full 60-minute Reading tests. Use the 17-20-23 rule strictly.
•After each test, categorise every wrong answer: time problem, technique problem, or vocabulary problem?
•Drill the category with the most errors.

Week 4— Exam Simulation

•Three full exam simulations. No pausing. Real time conditions.
•Rest 48 hours before your actual test.
•On exam day: write your target times on the question paper the moment you start.

Stuck at 6.5?

How to break through to 7.5+

Aiming for Band 9?

What 40/40 looks like

Best materials?

Ranked books and resources 2026

Start with a baseline test

Take a full 60-minute IELTS Reading test right now. See exactly where your marks go. Then use this guide to fix it.

Take a Practice Test