IELTS General Training Reading 23 out of 40: band 5.0

23 correct answers out of 40 in IELTS General Training Reading converts to band 5.0 (CEFR B1). Band 5.0 covers 23–26 correct answers on the standard conversion table. You are 4 answers away from band 5.5.

Band5.0

Raw scores for 5.023–26

Answers to band 5.54

How the IELTS General Training Reading score is converted

Each of the 40 questions is worth one mark and there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank. Your raw total is converted to a band from 0 to 9. IELTS publishes the average marks needed for the whole bands, and the precise cut-offs vary slightly from one test version to the next:

Band 4: 15/40
Band 5: 23/40
Band 6: 30/40
Band 7: 35/40

23 is the bottom edge of band 5.0, so a harder version can cost you half a band. Aim for 26 to keep band 5.0 safe.

The same 23/40 in Academic Reading

23 correct answers is band 5.0 in General Training Reading but band 6.0 in Academic Reading. General Training texts are everyday notices, adverts and workplace documents rather than academic articles, so the table asks for more correct answers at every band.

PTE equivalent

Pearson's July 2025 concordance puts IELTS reading band 5.0 at PTE Academic reading 36–41. See IELTS 5.0 to PTE for the overall and the other skills.

IELTS General Training Reading raw score table

40/40 9.0 39/40 8.5 38/40 8.0 37/40 8.0 36/40 7.5 35/40 7.0 34/40 7.0 33/40 6.5 32/40 6.5 31/40 6.0 30/40 6.0 29/40 5.5 28/40 5.5 27/40 5.5 26/40 5.0 25/40 5.0 24/40 5.0 23/40 5.0 22/40 4.5 21/40 4.5 20/40 4.5 19/40 4.5 18/40 4.0 17/40 4.0 16/40 4.0 15/40 4.0

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Frequently asked questions

What band is 23 out of 40 in IELTS General Training Reading?

23 correct answers out of 40 in IELTS General Training Reading is band 5.0 on the standard conversion table. Band 5.0 covers 23–26 correct answers. The exact cut-off can move by a mark between test versions.

How many correct answers do I need for band 5.0 in IELTS General Training Reading?

23 out of 40 is the usual minimum for band 5.0. Aim one or two marks above it, because the boundary varies slightly from test to test.

How many more answers do I need for band 5.5?

4 more correct answers. Band 5.5 usually starts at 27 out of 40.

Is 23/40 the same band in Academic and General Training Reading?

No. The same 23 correct answers is band 5.0 in General Training Reading but band 6.0 in Academic Reading. General Training texts are easier, so they need more correct answers for the same band.

IELTS Listening 23/40 IELTS Academic Reading 23/40 Overall band calculator

Source: IELTS, “IELTS scoring in detail” (ielts.org) for the whole-band averages; half-band rows follow the widely used indicative table. BandLadder is an independent practice platform, not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council or IDP.