The General Training Reading test consists of three sections and 40 questions. It focuses on situations you might face in everyday life, work-related issues such as applying for a job, and topics of general interest. The extracts in each section are taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.
Section 1 looks at your social survival skills. The questions relate back to short texts that are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country. These might be notices, advertisements or timetables.
Section 2 takes a closer look at your workplace survival skills. The texts here are taken from job descriptions, contracts, staff development and training manuals, as well as pay and workplace condition documents.
Section 3 contains a long and more complex text on a topic of general interest. Texts could be taken from newspapers, magazine or books.
The reading part of the IELTS test looks at how well you can understand main ideas, details, inferences and implied meaning. It also assesses your ability to follow the development of an argument, recognise a writer's opinion, attitudes and purpose.
Ask IELTS
For both paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS, you will do the tests in the following order on the same day: Listening, Reading and Writing, with the Speaking test before or after this test session.
Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test can be done on the same day, or up to 7 days either before or after the test date.
The Listening, Reading, and Writing parts of the test are completed immediately after each other on the same day. In some test centres, you will sit the Speaking test on the same day, or up to 7 days before or after your test date.
If you take computer-delivered IELTS, the Speaking test will be taken on the same day, either before, or after the other three parts of the test.
It can depend on the question type, but also think about skimming and scanning. First, look at the headings, diagrams or glossary to get a quick idea of the article and its general meaning. Then look at the key words in the questions to help direct you to the right spot in the article. Also remember that if you know more words, it is easier to read.
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.
Strategies for matching headings question type
Do you find the matching headings questions in IELTS Reading to be tricky? Here is a look at strategies that can help you answer these question types in a more effective way.
Learn more
Matching headings strategies in IELTS Reading
IELTS Reading test: true, false and not given explained
IELTS Reading test: how to manage your time?
Prepare for IELTS with IELTS Progress Check
IELTS test day changes due to COVID-19
IELTS General Training Reading free practice questions
Question types in the General Training Reading test
How to write numbers in IELTS