Ace the IELTS exam: Reading Tips!!

All that you need to know for your IELTS journey: Reading Edition.

The IELTS Reading test will take about 60 minutes. It consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, and understanding logical argument, recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

IELTS Academic Reading Test:

The IELTS Academic Reading test includes three long texts which range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are recognizably appropriate for anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.

IELTS General Training Reading Test:

The IELTS General Training Reading test includes three passages with tasks. It requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter daily in an English-speaking environment.

READING TEST TIPS:

The main goal of IELTS Reading is to test the candidate’s ability to understand what they have read. So even if you don’t know some words, it’s OK, as you are required to get the correct answers and there is no negative marking. Most of the test-takers lose marks not because of lack of knowledge, but because of making very simple mistakes! Here are some tips for Band score improvement.

1. Skim over and watch for the answers:

Skimming refers to looking only for the main ideas. You don’t need to read attentively every word. Remember, you just need to answer the questions, nothing more. So skim over the text and then start looking for the answers.

2. Watch your time:

Don’t forget you have only 60 minutes to read three texts and answer 40 questions. You won’t get additional time for filling your answer sheet, so make sure manage your time properly.

3. Is your spelling correct?

Check your spelling before writing your answer on the answer blank. You will get zero points for the answer if it’s spelled incorrectly.

4. Keep the order:

Remember that the questions follow the order of the text in most cases. So the answer to question 5 will come after the answer to question 4 and so on.

5. Underline:

When you skim over the text, underline the most important phrases. It will help you to save some time when you will search for answers.

6. Cross out the wrong answers

If you saw answer that you’re sure is wrong, cross it out. This way you won’t get confused and save your time.

7. Pay attention to the details:

Look thoroughly through the text. Any special features such as capital letters, underlining, italics, figures, graphs and tables are likely to matter.

8. Lastly:

There is no ultimate advice which technique fits you the best. You should choose yourself how to search for right answers and what to do first: read questions or text. A lot successful candidates prefer to read the text first, and only then answer the questions. But some say it’s better to do the other way. Practice daily to determine which technique fits you more.

Never let the ‘What If’ get in the way of what you do. Best of Luck!!