Understand exactly what to expect in the Reading test, then move on to tips, examples, and 200 practice questions.
The Reading test lasts 60 minutes with no extra transfer time, and is identical in length for both the Academic and General Training versions, though the passage content differs.
| Feature | Academic | General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Number of passages | 3 long passages | 3 sections (often several shorter texts) |
| Total questions | 40 | 40 |
| Text source | Academic journals, books, magazines | Notices, advertisements, workplace & general-interest texts |
| Difficulty progression | Passages generally get harder | Sections generally get harder |
| Answer sheet | Written directly on the answer sheet — no extra transfer time | Written directly on the answer sheet — no extra transfer time |
Choose one (or sometimes more than one) correct option from a list, based on detail, opinion, or overall meaning in the passage.
Decide whether a statement agrees with the passage (True), contradicts it (False), or isn't addressed at all (Not Given).
Similar to True/False/Not Given, but used for the writer's claims or opinions rather than factual information.
Match a list of headings to paragraphs or sections of the passage based on their main idea.
Fill gaps in sentences or a short summary using words taken directly from the passage, usually within a strict word limit.
Answer questions using no more than a specified number of words, taken directly from the text.
Each correct answer earns one mark, for a maximum raw score of 40. This raw score is then converted into a band score from 1 to 9 using a conversion table published by IELTS, which varies slightly between the Academic and General Training versions because General Training passages are considered somewhat easier — meaning you generally need to answer more questions correctly on General Training to achieve the same band score as on Academic.
There's no penalty for incorrect answers, so it's always worth writing down your best guess for every question rather than leaving any blank.