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IELTS Reading Tips from Test Takers

by Sanath
(UK)


Advice to anyone about to do the IELTS: reading section


Preparation is key.

I would suggest using online resources like you-tube and the following website http://www.ielts-exam.net/ielts_reading/
(very useful as there are hundreds of writing and listening tasks too)

In the exam:

Avoid Skim Reading

I would strongly discourage "SKIM READING", although it sounds sensible and seems to work when you practice, when put under exam conditions, stress and time pressure cause you to easily miss otherwise obvious points.

Instead, I would suggest you read the complete passage fully but rapidly.

Then go on to each question and if the answer is not found in under thirty seconds, mark it with a pencil and move onto the next question.

Only visit the marked questions once you have completed all three passages.

Learn to Read Fast

I strongly recommend adapting to read fast prior to the exam.

Best methods include reading newspapers and books. Try to read a full A4 sheet in under 7-8 minutes. Don't worry about not remembering every word.

Check at the End

Although rarely the questions give exact names or dates, don't rush over them as they are meant to distract you from the actual gist of the question.

I personally find it best to answer all the questions and have about 20 minutes to spare. I use this crucial 20 minutes to scrutinise every question all over again and make adjustments.

I also revisit the answers that I was confident about, just in case.

Write on the Question Sheets

Don't be worried about writing on the paper (use pencil), it is very helpful if you could underline certain keywords that you think will crop up in the questions.

Monitor the Time

Constantly check the clock and make sure you are ahead of the schedule, this will boost your confidence and not stress you out about time.

Read the Questions Carefully

If you cannot interpret a question, read it over and over again, don't draw conclusions based on the style that the author has represented the story.

Practice

Finally, practice constantly and you will get your score.

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TIps for band 9 reading

by kushal
(Kolkata,India)

Hi guys,

just appeared for the test. Got 8.5

Overall:

Reading - 9
Listening - 9
Speaking - 7.5
Writing - 7.5.

Wanted to share some tips with u all.

Matching Headings Questions

In reading, during the exercise of writing the correct heading for each paragraph, its better to read each paragraph and then immediately go through the headings and write the correct one. This will allow you to read the whole reading material as well as answer the questions simultaneously. This will save you a lot of time.

Learn Vocab While Practicing

During practice reading tests, try to mark out each word you did not understand. These words should include the one's whose form of usage is known to you but not the precise meaning. Knowing the precise meaning of each word will give you a distinct edge in the reading test.

Hope these tips are of some help.

All the best

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Jan 09, 2017
Reading Band 9
by: Anonymous

Whoah! How to be like you:) scores 9 in reading so amazing! I find Reading section very hard. Thank you for sharing your tips on how to answer paragraph headings. How about the other Question in Reading like sentence completion, short answer and so on. Thank you. You are a legit!

Dec 07, 2017
Greatful
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your tips

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Does anyone have reading tips to speed up?

by Briniya Wijesinghe
(Srilanka)

i have problem with ielts reading. I can understand it but the time is very short. I dont get enough time to write the answers for reading questions. Can you please give me some tips to solve this problem

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Aug 27, 2013
tip
by: Anonymous

i know the time is very short. I think the best way to improve yourself is to read more and more such as different readings and collect vocabulary. I hope it help you.

Sep 13, 2013
readingvtips
by: elsy chaer

in ielts reading task you do not have to read word by word all the text you should scam the text and underline important information such as name of people places dates so that you can get the answers quickly

Nov 07, 2015
How can I read faster?
by: IELTS buddy

You can also check out this package:

Speed Reading

Aug 02, 2017
Reading tips
by: Douglas OConnor

It's advisable to read all thirteen questions first as then we would be focused in our search for the answer. This would save time. Underline key words in the question. Fill in the blanks questions have the habit of popping up from any where and may not be restricted to any para. Read in word groups not words. There is better understanding and you can also read faster. Concentrate on the whole sentence not just the word.

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Reading tip - speed is important

by Samuel
(London)

For the Reading test you strictly have to be EXTREMELY QUICK.

I think the Reading test is a race against time because you have a lot to read and a lot of questions to answer, so as soon as you are told "you can start" you have to HURRY UP.

Maybe this would lead you to make some mistakes, but that's fine. You only have to try to finish before time's up and therefore be able to double-check your answers, because trust me when I tell you that not everyone is able to complete the Reading test.

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Jan 08, 2015
thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you! very useful

Jan 08, 2015
Thanks
by: Farhan shekh

Thank you for tips

Mar 10, 2015
reading tips
by: Dr.Baber

I would like to suggest that Do 1st scanning and then Skimming.

That will help you to save your time.

T,F or NG - solve them in the end of the reading session. If you are overwhelm with the situation Just mark all True :)

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How can I improve my IELTS Reading?

by Robin
(Punjab)

Can u give me some tips for reading task because i am facing a problem in reading.

I spend a lot of time for reading but results are not in my favor. Each time I score around 15 to 23 but i need more that this, so can u suggest how i can solve my problem....

In the reading task i can not reach the exact answer. Like in fill in the blank and match the paragraph

So Please suggest some best tips to improve my reading...I will be very thankful to you..

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Apr 19, 2013
Improving IELTS Reading
by: IELTS buddy

I don't really have the time to give personal tips here, but maybe another person on the site can help you with some of their own tips.

Take a look at the link to the reading lessons:
Reading Lessons

They may help you.

Thanks

Jun 05, 2013
IELTS Reading Tips
by: Tiffany

Read more, practice more so that you will improve your chances of passing the IELTS reading section. Try using the skimming and scanning methods. You can read a very useful article on this blog post http://ieltsexamstips.blogspot.com/2013/02/excel-in-your-ielts-and-perfect-your.html. I hope you find it useful

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My experience and advice for the IELTS Reading Test

by Rafael
(SIngapore)

Hi guys,

I did the Academic Test last Saturday, 9/Jan/2016.

The most difficult part was the Reading test.

It was a nightmare, I tried to do the techniques but I could't manage the time and the stress of the clock in the white board.

My advice is, prepare yourselves for the reading. Time yourself, do a lot of mock tests with time, I mean, A LOT like 20 or more.

Other than that, the test was not very difficult.

Thanks, and good luck to everybody.

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Improving vocabulary for IELTS reading?

by Prakash Niraula
(Kathmandu, Nepal)

How should I improve vocabulary in IELTS reading Module? I found its very difficult to build up vocabularies. it is because i am busy in my office. I rarely get free time and in leisure time also i cannot concentrate on study. what should i do ?????

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Sep 25, 2014
improve my vocabulary knowledge for IELTS reading
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

You will need to find some time, but if you do not have much free time then just 10 minutes a day is better than nothing.

You can try learning the Academic Word List and I have developed short exercises so you can check which words you know and then test yourself on them.

They are in groups of 10 so you could practice 10 per day, or every couple of days. This will not take up much of your time.

Here is the link:

Academic Word List Exercises

There is also this package that you can purchase which allows you to organise your learning:

Ultimate Vocabulary Builder

Good luck

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