The IELTS Reading section lasts 60 minutes and contains 40 questions. You will work with three texts of varying difficulty levels: academic articles, magazine or newspaper extracts, advertisements, letters, etc. The tasks are varied: from choosing the right answer to finding matches and filling in the blanks. It may sound daunting, but don't worry! We have prepared effective strategies to help you ace your IELTS reading test. Find out how to quickly and accurately identify key ideas while ignoring unnecessary information, how to work with unfamiliar words and what to do when it seems that the answer is hiding somewhere between the lines. By following our tips, you will be able to pass the test successfully and make the most of your time, even if you feel a little unsure at the moment.
How do I get the highest score in the Reading section?
To prevent the IELTS Reading section from becoming a real nightmare, it is important to take your preparation seriously and have a clear plan for completing the tasks.
Read the instructions carefully and evaluate the tasks in advance.
Start by quickly reviewing all the tasks before reading the text. This way, you will immediately understand what you need to find. If you know that the IELTS reading section will include tasks that involve finding specific facts or matches, make a note of the key words you need to find in the text. Do not ignore the instructions, especially if the task limits the length of your answer (e.g. ‘no more than two words’).
Use effective reading techniques.
The texts in the IELTS reading section contain a lot of information, but you don't have to read every word. It is better to try other approaches.
- Skimming. Skim through the article to get a sense of the overall content and structure. Pay attention to headings, subheadings and the first sentences of paragraphs - they usually contain the main idea.
- Scanning. If you need to find specific events or dates, don't read the whole text, but look for keywords and numbers. This will save you time on IELTS.
Pay attention to key words and synonyms.
IELTS often uses synonyms and paraphrases. If a word is used in a question, you will probably find its synonym in the text. Therefore, it is useful to study synonym tables when preparing for the reading section.
Learn to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Don't panic if you come across a word you don't know while reading. Try to guess its meaning from the context or just skip it. It's important not to waste a single minute on IELTS - you can catch up on the missing parts later if you have time.
Allocate your time properly.
Remember that you only have 1 hour for the IELTS reading section and you need to split this time between three texts. We recommend the following strategy:
- the first text - 15 minutes, as it is usually the easiest;
- the second text - 20 minutes, which is of medium difficulty;
- the third text - 25 minutes, the most difficult.
Practice as much as possible.
Always keep track of the time when doing IELTS practice tests. This will help you develop the habit of completing tasks quickly and not getting distracted by trivial things. After completing the test, be sure to analyse your work: think about why you answered a particular question and how it might affect your overall score.
Leave time for revision.
Even if you are confident in your answers, a quick check can save you from making embarrassing mistakes. See if you have missed a question, broken the word limit, etc.
Prepare for the reading wisely!
Save useful resources to help you prepare for the IELTS reading section.
- The official Cambridge IELTS books include real test examples from previous years.
- BBC News, The Guardian, National Geographic - articles on current topics that are similar in style to the IELTS test content.
- IELTS Liz and IELTS Advantage - popular YouTube channels with tips and test analysis.
- Vocabulary training apps, such as Quizlet or Anki, to help you memorise synonyms.
You can prepare not only for the reading section, but also for all IELTS tasks at an intensive course at the UP Democratic School. The course lasts for 3 months, and during this time you will significantly improve your level of knowledge. Join us, improve your language skills, analyse your mistakes, and then reading for IELTS will no longer be an obstacle for you!
