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The Academic Reading test assesses a wide range of reading skills including your ability to follow an argument, recognise a writer’s opinion, attitude or purpose. It looks at how well you can read to understand main ideas, details, opinions and implied meanings. Your reading comprehension skills are tested, covering skimming, scanning and reading for detail.
The Academic Reading test is made up of 3 long texts which are taken from current books, journals, magazines and newspapers. The texts are related to topics you might face if you were to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level or apply for professional registration in an English-speaking environment.
You will have to answer 40 questions in the Academic Reading test. These questions can range from multiple choice to identifying information or a writer’s view, matching headings, features and sentence endings, as well as sentence, summary, note, table and flow-chart completions, and short-answer questions.
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Ask IELTS
If you take an IELTS on computer test, the Reading, Writing and Listening parts of the IELTS test are completed on a computer, but the Speaking test is completed face-to-face with an IELTS examiner.
Yes. IELTS on computer provides a note-taking and highlight function. You can try these functions on the familiarisation tests here. You can also write notes on the login details sheet you receive at the beginning of the test.
Every IELTS test is carefully produced and tested to ensure a consistent level of difficulty across all the test versions. We want every IELTS test taker to have their true English-language ability reflected in their result, which is why we offer so many free and paid tools to help you practise and prepare.
Check out our preparation tools for tips and advice so that you can be as prepared as possible for your test date.
Can you give us some practical tips to help read quicker and save time during the Reading test?
One of our IELTS Experts takes us through some quick tips to help you skim and save time in your IELTS Reading test.
What is your best strategy for tackling the Reading test?
Find out how to tackle the Reading test in IELTS. Hear tips from our IELTS Expert, Don.
What to expect in an IELTS on computer test
Taking IELTS on a computer is a little different. Find out what your test day might look like, from the check-in process to each of the test parts.
Strategies for matching headings question type
Do you find the matching headings questions in IELTS Reading to be tricky? Here are some strategies for answering these questions more effectively.
A quick tour of IDP's computer-delivered IELTS test venue, Gaushala, Kathmandu
Find out how a computer-delivered IELTS test centre looks like and the arrangements and facilities available.
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Progress Check for IELTS Academic
Prepare for IELTS with Progress Check, an official IELTS Academic practice test. Get a feedback report with indicative band scores.