IELTS Reading Test | Getting At Least 26 Answers Correct

Zilpah D'Souza Published:
October 01, 2024

For many IELTS test takers, scoring high in the reading section is crucial. One common benchmark is scoring 26 right answers out of the total 40 questions. But how does this affect your overall band score, and what steps can you take to make sure you meet or perhaps exceed the objective? Let us look at the details of your reading score and techniques to improve your performance.

There are 40 questions on the IELTS reading test, and the number of correct answers you give is your basic score. However, the initial score is converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. This is an overview of how initial results translate into IELTS band scores.

Correct Answers - Band Score
39-40 - 9.0
37-38 - 8.5
35-36 - 8
33-34 - 7.5
30-32 - 7
26-29 - 6.5
23-25 - 6

Moreover, 26 correct answers match a 6.5 band score. This is a solid beginning point for many training and professional requirements. However, aiming higher can lead to more chances and stronger language expertise.

How to secure 26 or more correct answers?

Understand question types: familiarize yourself with several question forms, including multiple-choice, matching headers, True/False/Not Given, and sentence completion. Each category involves a distinct strategy.
Time Management: with only 60 minutes to complete 40 questions, time is your greatest obstacle. Allow roughly 20 minutes for each of the three passages. If you are stuck on a question, move on and return to it later if you have extra time.

Skimming and scanning: learn these essential skills for swiftly identifying pertinent information. When answering questions, skim the passage for basic understanding before focusing on detailed facts.

Active reading: do not read the text passively. Engage with it by underlining important ideas, taking brief notes, or mentally summarizing each paragraph.
Boost your reading speed: the faster you can read while maintaining understanding, the more time you have to respond to questions. Consistently practice speed reading skills.
Vocabulary development: a strong vocabulary is crucial. To enhance your vocabulary, read various English literature, including academic texts, newspapers, and scientific articles.
Concentrate on keywords: identifying keywords in both the questions and the passage will allow you to uncover relevant information effortlessly.

Observe the qualifying words: particularly in True/False/Not Given questions, terms like "always," "never," "sometimes," or "often" can be quite important in figuring out the right response.
Carefully read the instructions: make sure you understand what each question is asking. Misinterpreting instructions is a common problem.
Eliminate incorrect responses: when answering multiple-choice questions, employ the elimination method to maximize your chances of selecting the correct answer.