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Reading skills are often not mentioned in IELTS test preparation knowledge, however, this is an extremely important part of the test and requires serious practice to achieve a high score. If you are not equipped with enough basic knowledge and do not have enough time to practice, it will be difficult for you to achieve your score goal.

The following article will share test-taking tips to help you save time and confidently achieve a high score in the IELTS Reading test.

Why IELTS Reading Skills Matter

Reading often receives less attention in IELTS preparation, yet it is a crucial section requiring disciplined practice. Without strong foundations and sustained training, achieving your target band score becomes difficult.

Overview of IELTS Reading

In IELTS Reading, examiners assess your ability to grasp main ideas, remember details, use skimming and scanning, understand logical arguments, and detect author tone, perspective and purpose.

You have 60 minutes to read three reading passages and answer 40 questions.

Common Question Types in IELTS Reading

  • Sentence completion

  • True / False / Not Given or Yes / No / Not Given

  • Summary, note, table or flow‑chart completion

  • Multiple choice

  • Short answer questions

  • Matching sentence endings

  • Diagram label completion

  • Matching information

  • Matching headings

Key Strategies to Improve IELTS Reading Skills

1. Master Paraphrasing

Paraphrase is essential in IELTS Reading because answers rarely appear verbatim. Understanding synonyms or rephrased expressions helps you locate answers quickly and accurately.

2. Use Skimming to Get the Big Picture

If your reading speed is slow, you must learn to skim.

  • Read the first paragraph carefully to understand overall topic.

  • Read the first few sentences of each paragraph to capture main ideas.

  • Read the final paragraph carefully—it often summarizes or concludes the passage.

3. Use Scanning to Find Specific Details

In IELTS Reading questions you will look for dates, names, numbers or data. Scanning lets you locate precise information quickly.

Scanning tips:

  • Underline or note important names, dates, statistics.

  • Identify keywords in the question and scan the passage for synonyms.

  • Spend no more than 3 minutes skimming a passage before beginning scanning.

4. Focus on Ideas, Not Every Word

Initially skim passages and paraphrase key ideas in your own words. Avoid fixating on individual words, since the matching answer is often paraphrased.

5. Choose a Strategy That Suits You

Some learners prefer to read questions first, others read the text first. Try both methods in practice and adopt the approach that improves your accuracy and speed.

6. Underline or Highlight Key Information

Once you locate potential answer spots, underline matching ideas or note where keywords appear. Remember, each question has only one correct answer.

7. Infer Context When Encountering New Vocabulary

If you see an unfamiliar word, consider its surrounding context. Use prefixes like un‑ (to negate), re‑ (again), and suffixes like ‑wise (referencing something). Grammar can also help define meaning. Build your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to infer meaning quickly.

8. Never Leave Answers Blank

It is better to guess than to leave an item blank. You lose nothing for a wrong answer, but you may gain points if you guess correctly.

9. Improve Reading Speed

Speed matters in the 60‑minute test. Practice expanding your field of vision to read several words at once. Use a pointer (like your finger or cursor) to guide faster reading. Balance speed with comprehension.

10. Use Tools and Reading Platforms

Web tools such as ZapReader let you upload text and read in manageable word blocks. Amazon Kindle helps you mark and review unknown words using flashcards. Audiobooks (like Audible) expose you to deeper content and varied language.

11. Choose Engaging Practice Materials

Avoid burnout by mixing IELTS sample papers with interesting articles or books on topics you enjoy. This helps sustain motivation and build language skills beyond test format.

12. Maintain Skimming Practice Habit

When skimming, ask yourself who, what, when, where, why, how questions. Also ask: “What do I want to learn from this passage?” These questions guide your reading and aid comprehension even at high speed.

13. Manage Time and Concentration

Avoid distractions by setting a timer for reading sessions. Limit practice to defined periods, turn off notifications and create a disciplined environment. Use noise cancelling headphones or ambient sounds to help stay focused.

14. Practice Reading Comprehension Routinely

Regular practice using exam style materials is key. Work through free online IELTS reading tests and official Cambridge IELTS books to ensure high quality input. A useful method is to open any book page, read, then write a summary of it.

15. Take Notes and Mark Key Ideas While You Read

On paper tests, underline important phrases and circle keywords. Use margin notes or asterisks to mark question‑relevant sections. This note‑taking helps locate answers quickly during real exams.

Final Thoughts

Effective reading strategies, consistent practice, and using materials you enjoy will dramatically boost your IELTS Reading performance.

Explore more IELTS preparation resources including seminars, courses and expert tips from IDP. When you’re ready, register for IELTS through IDP today to gain access to exclusive study guides, videos on common mistakes and online training developed by Macquarie University experts!

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About this Article

Published on 10 July, 2023

About this Author

One Skill Retake - IELTS Australia
Quynh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm kinh nghiệm về lĩnh vực giáo dục