IELTS

As of 2025, the IELTS Reading Test format remains consistent with previous years, designed to assess a range of reading skills, including skimming, understanding logical arguments, and recognizing writers' opinions, attitudes, and purposes.

Test Structure:

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Number of Questions: 40
• Sections: 3

IELTS Academic Reading:

• Content: Three long passages sourced from books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and online resources, written for a non-specialist audience. Topics are of general interest to students at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
• Question Types: Multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying writer's views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary/note/table/flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

IELTS General Training Reading:

• Content: Sections include everyday materials such as advertisements, official documents, brochures, and newspapers.
  • Section 1: Two or three short factual texts.
  • Section 2: Two work-related texts.
  • Section 3: One longer text on a topic of general interest.
• Question Types: Similar to the Academic module, including multiple choice, matching information, and sentence completion.

To get good band scores in IELTS Reading test, applicants should prepare well and practice a lot. Some tips to prepare for IELTS Reading module includes:

• Understand the pattern of the Reading module and take IELTS Reading mock test to understand where the applicant stands.
• Once applicants take the IELTS Reading mock test, create a schedule. 
• Read regularly - books, newspapers and magazines for academi purposes (like Outlook, Business Today).
• Learn new words maybe five each day with their meanings and using them in conversations.
• Attempt different types of passages with a mix of various question types. Try to solve 2-3 everyday.
• Ensure that IELTS Reading practice covers all topics that are tested on the module.
• Apply techniques of skimming and scanning and answer all questions when attempting IELTS Reading practice.
• Consider trying the new, 1-month free online IELTS course to aid students prepare for their IELTS Exam with certified British Council trainers.
• Finally, be consistent with IELTS Reading mock tests, and practice so that there is no break in the flow of preparation.

Want to try some IELTS Reading practice tests? Try and solve these IELTS Reading passages with answers:

With 8777 IELTS score; a candidate can reach CLB 9 level. This will give an additional 82-point advantage to the candidate as compared to the candidate who is on CLB 8 level.

• 32 points on the language ability

• 50 points on Skill Transferability and Foreign Work Experience (considering two or more post-secondary programme credentials and above 3 years of foreign work experience)

Although achieving an 8777 on the IELTS test is not a prerequisite because other variables are taken into account when determining your CRS score, doing well on the test will be beneficial. Moreover, you have control over your IELTS score. Your age cannot be changed, and getting another degree takes time. Therefore, your the greatest chance is to achieve a high IELTS score.