If you’re like me, you don’t believe that grades define people. How you choose to treat others does. Authenticity does. Loving animals too. Etcetera.
Still, exams are a huge part of the world we live in. And they do need to be passed.
The (“How-on-earth-do-I-even-pronounce-this?”) IELTS language test is one of them. It stands for International English Language Testing System.
The Importance of the IELTS Exam
Why do you even need IELTS reading tips? What exactly does the IELTS exam do for you anyway?
Well, you gain university admission for one. Just like Gandalf couldn’t enter Moria in the absence of a magic password involving the word “friend,” university entry can’t be granted to international students without a good IELTS score.
Secondly, you need it for immigration purposes. Countries like Australia ask for your exam results before allowing you to live there. Ouch.
Finally – and unfairly –, you might have to prove how good your English is in an English-speaking country as someone not born there. If there’s one test result that’s accepted by employers everywhere, it’s IELTS. That’s why it’s taken by more than 3.5 million candidates every year since 2018.
You have 2 options when taking the exam: Academic and General Training. Go for the first one. It’s So. Much. More. Valuable than the latter.
The IELTS test has four components: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. After taking the exam, you have to wait up to 13 excruciating calendar days to get an overall Band (official score) that goes from 0 to 9. This is valid for all eternity.
Just kidding. After a mere 2 years, the IELTS test result stops being valid. Disheartening, I know.
In Reading, the worldwide average is Band 6 out of 9.
If you need or have struggled to get a 6+ Band in the Reading test in the past, don’t miss the IELTS Reading tips to follow. Also check out my post on study tips for college students and the best English grammar books one for fast improvement. The one about the IELTS exam fee as well!
What Does the IELTS Academic Reading Paper Consist of?
The Academic Reading test is made up of 3 sections that go from simple to complex. If Maths comes to mind, well done – that’s the right analogy.
Crucial Details
- The IELTS Reading exam needs to be completed in 1 hour.
- Each Reading section has corresponding tasks, for example sentence completion, multiple choice questions or match headings exercises.
Don’t let these terms scare you. First, you don’t even need to remember them. It’s not like you’ll be stopped in the middle of the exam, asked “So what’s the name of the task you’re doing?” and penalized if you don’t know. Also, the tasks are more manageable than you think.
- You get 1 mark for every correct answer, adding up to a total of 40.
All details matter, from small (capital letters) to big (identifying writer’s purpose). Got 1 letter wrong? Alas, that translates into zero points.
What Is an IELTS Reading Strategy?
This is the overall approach to attempting all Reading tasks so as to get the best result possible.
Reasons Why You Need IELTS Reading Tips
Warning: Dramatic comparison ahead.
Think of war. Strategy can make the difference between winning and losing. It certainly did in the case of the relentless Spartans who stopped a huge Persian army in ancient times. Numbers vary and are still being debated: 300 against 1,000,000 / 7,000 versus 300,000. They don’t matter though. It was all about strategy.
Do you feel like you just don’t know what to do in the IELTS Reading test? Or you find the tasks overwhelming?
Then what you need is a set of tactics – simple tips really – that you can switch between or apply simultaneously depending on: the available time, the specific Reading section, and the difficulty of the vocabulary in a Reading passage.
Without an IELTS Reading exam strategy, you run the risk of making mistakes – big no-nos – that will impact your IELTS Reading score:
- Getting distracted by what you already know about the topic
- Trying to understand every word / sentence in the Reading passages (time-waster)
- Missing crucial details such as instructions or diagrams
- Working out specialized vocabulary (unnecessary)
- Spending more time and energy on earlier reading questions, thinking they matter more (they don’t)
- Writing answers in full when instructions say “Write a letter” (never do more than what you’re asked for)
- Keeping the Answer Sheet pristine until the end of the Reading test (use it from the start)
- Reading texts from the beginning over and over (counter-productive)
- Not moving on fast enough (never get stuck)
- Using “unique” (= not dictionary-approved) spelling.
What Are the Essential IELTS Reading Tips That Will Boost Your Score?
There are many IELTS Reading tips out there, and the usefulness of some is undeniable.
What makes mine different?
The fact that they emerged from extensive practical experience, gained from the source (British Council). I’ve worked with IELTS students since 2015, which has given me insights into what exam takers struggle with and what test designers have in mind when creating typical reading tasks.
This is valuable inside knowledge, and knowledge is power.
My IELTS course on Udemy offers such knowledge.
Zooming in on reading skills specifically, here are my top suggestions for the IELTS Reading test.
- Know what types of reading there are and which apply to the IELTS Reading test.
- Use scanning techniques.
- Find out the answers to common IELTS Reading test Frequently Asked Questions.
- Be aware of the strategy for each reading question type.
- Focus on practicing more challenging task types.
These might be just 5 tips, but they are really big ones.
IELTS Reading Tip 1. Know What Types of Reading There Are and Which Apply to the IELTS Reading Test.
There are 3 types of reading. Only 2 apply to IELTS.
First, you should read for the general idea of a text. Even the main ideas can be skipped at this point. This is called skimming – highly recommended in IELTS.
Second, you should scan for the information required by an IELTS Reading test task.
Skimming and scanning are done quickly.
Although an organic approach is recommended (moving from skimming to scanning), realistically scanning can be done straight away to save time.
The only type of reading that doesn’t apply to IELTS is reading in detail. Why? Far too time consuming.
Extra Tip
Always read the task first. Then the text.
This stops you from getting distracted by irrelevant details.
IELTS Reading Tip 2. Use Scanning Techniques.
Fellow fans of the wonderfully weird might remember a strange show called “The Outer Limits.” Every episode began with the message “There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture.”
Step-by-Step Scanning Instructions
Look at the picture below and don’t dismiss what you see in an instant. Don’t say “This is not for me.” The picture doesn’t need adjusting – you actually have to read like this in IELTS. Is it natural? No. Is it worth it to save time and focus on the task alone? Weirdly so.
- Choose 1 technique and use it on a page from your favorite book.
- Then apply the same technique to an IELTS scanning task (Remember to read the task first). Scroll down to see what practice book you could use for this.
- Check your score at the back of the book to see how effective the technique was.
- If the experiment was successful, keep using the technique. If your score wasn’t great, try another one. Keep experimenting until you find your groove. You can also combine 2 techniques or come up with your very own Reading exam strategy!
IELTS Reading Tip 3. Find Out the Answers to Common IELTS Reading Test Frequently Asked Questions.
Why does this matter? It sounds about as boring as being stuck in traffic with nothing to do but focus on being stuck in traffic.
The simple answer is that there’s a lot to learn from what others have mistakenly done.
Remember those scenes in the “Indiana Jones” movies where people try to get to some priceless artifact but step on the wrong stone, don’t pull the right lever or fail to bend down on time and *SPOILER ALERT* die as a result? Wasn’t it smart of Indiana to… ahem, basically not do what they did? He not only survived, but also got the highly sought-after piece of antiquity.
If a high IELTS Band is what you seek, why not do the same?
The questions below have been asked by test takers who didn’t get the result they needed and wanted to avoid making the same costly errors again.
- Can I write on the Question Paper?
Yes. This is taken at the end of the test but not checked by anyone. Rest assured, the invigilator couldn’t care less about your messy stress-induced scribbles!
- Can I change my answer after I’ve written it on the Answer Sheet?
Yes. That’s why a pencil is used in the test.
- Are there penalties for the wrong answers in the test?
No, there aren’t – this isn’t football. Always attempt all the questions. And if you’re not sure, guess!
- Should I answer the questions in sequence: Section 1, then 2, then 3?
Yup, because the texts get progressively longer and the questions more difficult. It’s easier for the brain to do things this way.
- Should I write the answers in the Question Booklet first and transfer them to the Answer Sheet at the end?
No. Another huge time waster.
- How long should I spend on each question?
I find Maths questions scary, but I’ll do my best. Given that there are 40 questions, you should spend about 1.5 minutes per question.
- If there are only 10 minutes left, but I still have 10 questions to answer, what should I do?
Continue answering the questions strategically. But if you really run out of time, guess what… Guess!
- What should I do if I can’t find the answer to a question?
Don’t waste a great deal of time looking for that 1 answer. The concept of “The One” doesn’t apply to IELTS. Keep an eye on the time. If necessary, leave it and come back to it later.
- Is it important to spell the answers correctly?
Any spelling errors will get your answer marked as incorrect. The same goes for Listening.
- If the instruction says to write a letter of the alphabet on the Answer Sheet, but instead I write the answer in full, is that okay?
The answer will probably be marked correct, but you have wasted your time and, most importantly, not followed the instructions.
- What’s the difference between a task statement that is False or No and a Not Given one?
Tricky question. If an answer is False or No, you must be able to find that the opposite is true in the text. If it’s Not Given, then there’s simply not enough information in the text for you to decide.
IELTS Reading Tip 4. Be Aware of the Strategy for Each Reading Question Type.
I’m about to – annoyingly – emphasize strategy again. What you’re going to see is one of the secrets I reveal in my Udemy course.
This has to do with the location of an answer in the text. If you look for it in the wrong place, you’ll waste time, and time management is a key skill associated with the IELTS Reading test.
So before trying an IELTS Reading task, find its name below and look at the strategies you need to use for it.
Repeat for every new type of task.
You do not need to read all of this at once. Or remember it straight away for that matter. It’s using each strategy as you practice that will help this knowledge sink in.
IELTS Reading Tip 5. Focus on Practicing More Challenging Task Types.
The last of my 5 IELTS reading tips is not the least important one. It’s in fact vital.
Statistically, there are tasks that Reading test takers struggle with more than others.
Take another look at Tip 4 and identify the tasks you personally find problematic. Then practice these more. It’s the only way to do well in the exam while coping with the time pressure too.
The video below (a fragment from my Udemy course) will give you practice with a True, False, Not Given task from a real IELTS Reading test. Have a go at the pre-reading activities too. When you’re done, check your answers and read their justification as well. Then calculate your Reading score out of 20.
Key Considerations for IELTS Reading Skills Development
- The IELTS Reading exam is not like reading something for pleasure.
If you’re imagining yourself joyfully poring over a text and dwelling on ideas or vocabulary you like (“Ooh… I wonder what the word ‘high-minded’ means in this enchanting Jane Austen novel?”), please don’t go there.
Speed is part of the assessment. You need to demonstrate the ability to work fast and effectively.
- The IELTS Reading test is not a general knowledge test.
No previous knowledge of a topic is required.
If you do have this, don’t let it interfere with you doing the task well. Students have told me that stopping to agree (or disagree!) with the info in 1 Reading section cost them precious marks.
- Few are aware of this, but the IELTS Reading paper is also a vocabulary test, in the same way the IELTS Listening test is a (hidden) spelling one as well. Yikes!
So you do need a wide range of vocabulary to understand as many words in the Reading sections as possible. Unknown words will slow down your reading and prevent you from achieving the IELTS score you want.
- To develop your speed reading skills before taking the IELTS Reading test, try graded readers.
In my “Favorite Books” post I mention these books that have simpler language and can give you the frequent reading practice you need. One such book per week is recommended.
Taking It to the Next Level
To succeed in IELTS, you need to keep developing all IELTS skills: Listening, Writing, and Speaking too.
To this end, nothing can replace doing IELTS practice tests and going over the answers to truly understand what you’re doing well and what you need to work on.
In the video above, I talk about not going for expensive official practice materials (no one rat me out to Cambridge IELTS test designers please). Cheap ones will do as they are equally good, if not better.
Simone Braverman’s collection is a great one. And very affordable.
Still, the biggest mistake worldwide IELTS candidates make is not getting enough training before the exam.
By that I mean learning from an actual teacher, either face-to-face or online. A lot of money can be lost as a result.
My online IELTS course has been specifically designed to be done at everyone’s pace. If you’re looking to learn (A LOT) in your pajamas whilst enjoying a cup of herbal tea at 11 p.m. and to make REAL progress without interacting with a nagging teacher, then this is the course for you. It will help you develop Reading and Listening skills and also teach you how to approach Speaking and Writing tasks in the right way.
The four skills of English go hand in hand so working on them all couldn’t make more sense.
Wrapping Up
Multiple digressions aside, I hope you find my Reading test tips useful. If you’re a uni student, you might also want to learn more about Turnitin and ChatGPT or overcoming learning limiting beliefs.
The IELTS Reading paper might be one of the most stressful experiences of your life.
But it can also be one of the most rewarding.
Provided you are consistent, using a tried and tested strategy will do the trick in terms of helping improve your IELTS Reading exam skills.
Grades may not define people, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t aim for and be proud of a high IELTS Reading score which, in turn, will contribute to a high overall IELTS Band.
About Rebeca Duriga
Well-versed teacher, passionate writer with Googleable work, Udemy instructor, and someone who can’t resist a good story. I’m here to infuse joy into your learning journey, be it improving English, tackling IELTS, overcoming limiting beliefs, or conquering uni assignments with a sprinkle of AI support. Need motivation and inspiration as a student, adult learner, wordsmith in the making? Look no further.
