IELTS Reading: read smarter, not harder
You do not need to understand every word to score well in Reading. You need to find specific information quickly and answer with precision. Technique and timing matter more than raw reading speed.
Skim before you dive in
Spend a minute getting the gist of the passage — the topic, the structure, and where the main ideas sit. This map makes it far faster to locate answers later.
Scan for the answer, not the whole text
Most questions point to one place in the passage. Take the key word from the question and scan for it, or for a synonym of it, rather than re-reading everything.
True / False / Not Given
This question type causes the most trouble. 'False' means the passage actively contradicts the statement. 'Not Given' means the passage does not provide the information at all. When in doubt, ask whether the text really says the opposite, or simply stays silent.
Guard your time
There is no extra time to transfer answers, so write them straight onto the answer sheet. Hold to about 20 minutes per passage; a hard question is worth the same one mark as an easy one, so never let it swallow your time.
Frequently asked questions
Is General Training Reading easier than Academic?
The texts are more everyday in style, but the conversion scale is stricter, so you generally need more correct answers for the same band.