Reading Tips for IELTS

To improve the IELTS reading, one can follow the below mentioned startegies:

• Word Chunking: Instead of reading each word individually, practice reading three to five words at a time to improve speed and comprehension.

• Minimize Rereading: Avoid backtracking by using your finger to guide you through sentences, training your mind to absorb information quickly.

• Skimming and Scanning: Skim passages to grasp the main points, focusing on titles, questions, and nouns to understand the subject matter and organization.

• Vocabulary Improvement: Expand your vocabulary by reading diverse sources like news articles and noting unfamiliar words.

• Familiarize Yourself with Various Texts: Read a variety of texts similar to those in the IELTS exam, starting with easier topics and progressing to more challenging ones.

• Develop Skills for Each Question Type: Familiarize yourself with the different types of questions and create strategies to tackle each one.

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice with timed tests helps in improving reading skills.

Reading section on IELTS Academic can be challenging because there are just 60 minutes to comprehend three passages and answer 40 questions. But with a lot of timed practice, applicants can ace this section easily. The Reading section can be difficult if the applicants do not:

• Practice multiple passages 
• Not time their speed for the section
• Also not practice on different types of passages
• Approach different question types on the passages tested
• Finally, give enough attention to reading newspapers and build vocabulary.

Applicants should ideally begin preparing for the Reading section earlier and give regular time to reading and building vocabulary. 

The IELTS Reading test consists of 40 questions of different types, such as multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching, and sentence completion. Your IELTS Reading score is based on how many of the 40 questions you answer correctly. Each correct answer is worth one point. Your total number of correct answers is your "raw score." This raw score is then converted into a band score. It is important to try to answer every question, even if you are not sure of the answer. A blank answer will get you no points. The tables below show the average number of marks required to achieve a particular band score in Academic Reading and General Training Reading.

IELTS Academic Reading

IELTS General Reading