IELTS Computer Delivered Tests + Band Score

How can I manage my time in the IELTS Reading Test?

by Hala Aldari
(Jordan)

The Reading Skill is very difficult???

And the time is not enough to cover or finish all the 3 topic ...

please advise me how to control or balance my time with the 40 questions of it ...


thanks,

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Sep 25, 2014
 How can I manage my time in the IELTS Reading Test?
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

You should make sure that you only spend 20 minutes on each reading. If you have not finished one reading you should still move on to the next (you can return to it if you have time at the end).

Also, do not spend too much time on one question. If you cannot work out the answer then guess.

Other strategies for improving your time come from knowing the tips of answering specific types of reading question. Take a look at the reading lessons for tips on answering specific question types:

IELTS Reading Lessons
Nov 30, 2018
 Time spending in reading
by: Anonymous

Hello,it might be a weird question. Actually, I am thinking to shift to TOEFL because of IELTS reading since it's hard. Can you please guide me well before taking this decision
Dec 01, 2018
 Time spending in reading
by: IELTS buddy

Sorry but I don't have much experience of the TOEFL test. Try some TOEFL reading practice tests online. You also of course have to check the the place your are applying to do to will accept TOEFL.

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How much time can we spend on each passage in the IELTS Reading Test?

by Azutrum

Hi,

For the reading section, there are three passages that we have to read.

Are we limited to 20 min/per passage?

Or can we spend 15 one one, 25 on another and 20 on another?

thanks

Comments for How much time can we spend on each passage in the IELTS Reading Test?

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Mar 06, 2015
 IELTS Reading Test - Time Per Section
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Azutrum,

It's recommended to spend 20 minutes on each passage as there are 3 and you have 60 minutes, but you can split your time up exactly as you like. There are no rules so it is ultimately up to you.

Thanks
Mar 21, 2017
 Time in the IELTS Reading Test
by: Anonymous

I do not understand the time division procedure.
Do I get only 20 minutes for reading the passage as well as answering the questions or do I get some extra minutes for answering the questions?
Mar 24, 2017
 How much time for IELTS Reading
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

No you don't get extra time for answering the questions.

The total time is 60 minutes and you get three readings.

So you should get to the point after practice that you can do each one in 20 minutes. That is reading it and answering the questions.
Feb 16, 2018
 ielts reading
by: Anonymous

hello, i can't finish my reading exam in 1 hour. what should i do?
Aug 20, 2020
 Reading Test
by: Anonymous

Hi, What is your comments if we start reading test from passage 3 instead of 1 and 2 . As 3 passage have more weightage in marks.

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My reading is very bad

by shani shah
(pakistan)


hi,

Can you plz help me with my academic reading. I can't manage my time.

One hour is too short for 3 passages. The third passage always remains untouched and in this fear of time shortage the first two passages are not even rightly attempted.

True false and not given questions are really confusing. Fill in the blanks questions questions are tough too. I wanna score at least 6.5 bands in it.

How can I improve my reading score? Sometimes I can't even get what the context means. :/

Comments for My reading is very bad

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Jul 12, 2016
 My reading is very bad
by: IELTS buddy

Really there is not much more to say to you other than that you need to keep practicing.

It sounds like you really don't fully understand the readings which means your English level is too low at the moment.

It is a slow process to improve and there are not just a few tips that you can be given to suddenly make you a great reader. It takes time and practice.

You need to make sure you improve your knowledge of vocabulary so start working through the Academic Word List.

Also check out these IELTS Reading Tips as they will point you in the general direction of how to approach your study.
Jan 12, 2017
 For your questions type
by: Anonymous

Hey friend do you know that the question like TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN (YES, NO or NOT GIVEN) or Fill in the blanks or Short answer questions. This type of questions is always in the sequence order of paragraph.

For example if your Q1 answer is 'Yes' and it mentions it in paragraph 1 then quickly look down from that paragraph and you will find the answer for 2.

Remember that these question pattern answers mostly come in sequence order.

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Skimming Speed

by Rana

How fast are you supposed to skim read a reading passage? I can't manage to read faster than 200 words per minute and I need to score at least 6.5.

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Sep 04, 2016
 Skimming Quickly
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Rana,

There is no specific time, everybody may be a bit different.

But of course you need to have enough time to answer the questions.

200 words a minute sounds ok. Most texts are around 600-900 words, which means you will have skimmed it in around 4 minutes.

If you are finding that is enough time to have understood the reading and start finding the answers to the questions then you should be ok.

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Time Management in IELTS Reading

by Oluchi
(Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria)

How can I meet up with the 1 hour time under exam and personal practice examination with answers correct for the reading module?

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Nov 22, 2023
 Time Management in IELTS Reading
by: IELTS buddy

This is really about practising and practising the different question types so you get better at finding the answers quickly.

Check out the IELTS reading lessons as they have advice and practice for the different types of reading question.

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