How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in Academic Reading?

Usually about 30 out of 40, though the conversion can vary slightly by test version.

Should I read the whole passage first?

No. Skim for structure in about 2 minutes, then scan for answers question by question.

IELTS Reading Tips: How to Finish 40 Questions in 60 Minutes

IELTS Reading tips for finishing on time: a 20-minute-per-passage plan, skimming and scanning, and strategies for each question type.

By IELTSora teaching team · Updated 4 November 2026 · 2 min read

The 20-minute rule

There is no extra transfer time in Reading, so plan 17 to 18 minutes per passage and 2 to 3 minutes to write answers. Passage 3 is usually hardest, so do not lose time on passage 1.

Skim first, then scan

Spend about 2 minutes reading the title, first paragraph and first line of each paragraph to understand the structure. Then read each question, pick a keyword (names, dates and numbers are easiest) and scan for it.

Question-type strategies

True/False/Not Given: Not Given means the text says nothing about it, not that it is unlikely.
Matching headings: read the paragraph's main idea, not just one detail.
Sentence completion: answers usually come in text order and must fit grammatically.
Multiple choice: eliminate options that are true but do not answer the question.

Never leave a blank

There is no negative marking, so guess every question you cannot answer before time runs out.

When you review a practice test, do not just count your score. For every wrong answer, find the sentence in the passage that contains the answer and underline the words that paraphrase the question. Note whether you lost the mark because of vocabulary, because you ran out of time, or because you misread the instructions. Most candidates find that one or two question types cause most of their errors, so spend your next week practising only those types. Reading English news or long articles for 20 minutes a day also builds the speed you need for passage 3.

Frequently asked questions

How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in Academic Reading?: Usually about 30 out of 40, though the conversion can vary slightly by test version.
Should I read the whole passage first?: No. Skim for structure in about 2 minutes, then scan for answers question by question.

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