IELTS Reading Practice
Sharpen your IELTS Reading with authentic, exam-style passages and every question type. Take a full test free — no sign-up — and see exactly how your raw score becomes a band score.
Test format at a glance
The IELTS Reading test lasts 60 minutes and contains three passages with 40 questions in total. There are no extra minutes to transfer answers, so managing the clock is part of the challenge.
Duration
60 minutes
Sections
3 passages
Questions
40 questions
Marking
1 mark each
How the band score is calculated
There is no pass or fail in IELTS Reading. Each of the 40 questions is worth one mark, and your total out of 40 is converted to a band from 0 to 9. Academic and General Training use different conversion tables — General Training needs more correct answers for the same band.
| Band | Approx. raw score |
|---|---|
| Band 8 | 35–36 / 40 |
| Band 7 | 30–32 / 40 |
| Band 6 | 23–26 / 40 |
| Band 5 | 15–18 / 40 |
| Band 4 | 10–12 / 40 |
These raw-score ranges are approximate — the exact boundaries vary slightly between test versions. Use them as a guide, not a guarantee.
Reading question types
IELTS Reading mixes many question formats in a single test. Knowing the strategy for each one — especially True/False/Not Given and Matching Headings — is often worth more than raw vocabulary.
Multiple choice
Choose the correct option or options from a list, testing both detail and main idea.
True / False / Not Given
Decide whether a statement agrees with, contradicts, or is simply not covered by the text.
Matching headings
Match a heading to each paragraph by identifying its main idea.
Matching information & features
Locate which paragraph contains a detail, or match items to the right category.
Sentence & summary completion
Fill gaps using words from the passage, within a strict word limit.
Short-answer questions
Answer factual questions in a few words taken directly from the text.
Practise now — free, no sign-up
Our free Reading test gives you a full, timed passage with instant marking and the correct answers — no account needed. Start there to benchmark your level, then create a free account to unlock the full library, band-by-band explanations and progress tracking.
Start a free Reading test- Full-length, timed passages that mirror the real test
- Instant scoring with the correct answers shown
- Every question type, from TFNG to matching headings
Tips to raise your band
Answer the easy questions first — every mark is worth the same, so never get stuck.
For True/False/Not Given, 'Not Given' means the text neither confirms nor denies it — don't rely on outside knowledge.
Skim for structure first, then scan for keywords to locate each answer fast.
Watch the word limit on completion questions — going over means the answer is marked wrong.
Practise under a strict 20-minutes-per-passage clock so timing becomes automatic.
Frequently asked questions
Is this IELTS Reading practice really free?
Yes. You can take a full, timed reading passage with instant scoring and answers without creating an account. A free account unlocks the complete library and progress tracking.
Is the test Academic or General Training?
The free passages are Academic-style, which is the more challenging module. The reading skills and question types overlap heavily with General Training.
How many questions are in IELTS Reading?
40 questions across three passages, to be answered in 60 minutes. Each question is worth one mark.
What raw score do I need for Band 7 in Reading?
Roughly 30–32 correct out of 40 in Academic Reading. General Training requires a few more correct answers for the same band.
How can I improve my reading speed?
Practise skimming for structure and scanning for keywords, and always work under the real 20-minutes-per-passage limit so timing becomes second nature.
Practise the other IELTS skills
Free, exam-style practice for every part of the test.
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