A communication system and a noise predictive calibration method are disclosed. The communication system includes a decoder configured to decode an input signal, wherein the decoder produces one of: a converged data output when the decoder decodes the input signal successfully, and a non-converged data output when the decoder decodes the input signal unsuccessfully. The communication system also includes a convergence monitor configured to determine a calibration procedure based on at least one of: a number of times where the decoder decodes successfully, and a number of times where the decoder decodes unsuccessfully. A noise predictive calibration circuit is configured to utilize output produced by the decoder without qualification when the convergence monitor indicates utilization of a first calibration procedure. The noise predictive calibration circuit is further configured to utilize only the converged data output produced by the decoder when the convergence monitor indicates utilization of a second calibration procedure.