Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
How each answer is scored
Listening and Reading each have 40 questions, and every correct answer receives one mark; the total out of 40 is converted to a band (ielts.org). IDP's score pages add that a blank answer gets no marks, so you should try to answer every question (IDP Listening, IDP Reading).
| What you write | Mark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Correct answer within the word limit | 1 | ielts.org |
| Wrong answer | 0, nothing deducted | IDP |
| Blank | 0 | IDP |
| Correct words but over the word limit | 0 | ielts.org |
| Misspelt answer | 0 | IDP |
Why guessing makes sense
IDP's Reading advice is direct: if you are running out of time, you will not lose a mark for a wrong answer, so make an educated guess (IDP). Its Listening advice says the same: because there is no negative marking, any attempt has an upside and no downside, and the recording is played only once (IDP).
For a multiple-choice or matching question, a guess has a real chance of being right. For a gap-fill, a guess built from words you heard or read near the gap is better than nothing.
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What still loses the mark
No negative marking does not mean every attempt is safe. ielts.org says you lose the mark for writing more than the word limit (ielts.org). IDP says misspelt answers in Listening and Reading are marked incorrect, and that repeating a word already in the question can make an answer wrong (IDP).
Writing and Speaking are different: IDP says certified examiners award bands against four assessment criteria, so answers are not counted right or wrong and negative marking does not apply (IDP).
Frequently asked questions
Do wrong answers reduce my IELTS score?+
No. A wrong answer earns no mark, but nothing is subtracted from your correct answers.
Should I leave a question blank in IELTS Reading?+
No. IDP says a blank gets no marks and recommends an educated guess instead.
Is there negative marking in IELTS Listening?+
No. IDP says there is no negative marking, so any attempt can only help.
Does a guess over the word limit count?+
No. ielts.org says you lose the mark for writing more than the word limit, even if the words are right.
Keep reading
Related
- How the IELTS score is calculated
- What does 'no more than two words and/or a number' mean?
- Does spelling count in IELTS Listening and Reading?
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 3112 guides
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