10 Must-know IELTS reading tips for band score above 8
- Ananya
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
Are you getting ready for the IELTS exam and aiming to enhance your reading skills? Excelling in the IELTS Reading section is important for obtaining a high score.
Contents
Before exploring tips, let us understand the format of IELTS Reading exam section!
Understanding the IELTS Reading Test Pattern
Reading Academic | 40 Questions (3 Sections) | 60 Minutes |
Reading General Training | 40 Questions (3 Sections) | 60 Minutes |
The IELTS Reading test includes 40 questions to be completed within 60 minutes. It is divided into three sections, with each passage becoming progressively more challenging. A variety of question types are used, such as multiple-choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. This section evaluates a broad range of reading skills, including the ability to grasp the main idea, locate specific details, and interpret the writer’s attitude or opinion.
The IELTS Academic Reading test features three lengthy texts sourced from books, journals, and newspapers, focusing on academic or scholarly topics of general interest.
In contrast, the IELTS General Training Reading test includes extracts from daily life materials such as advertisements, instruction manuals, newspapers, and workplace documents. It focuses more on everyday English and practical, work-related content.
1. Sharpen Your Skimming & Scanning Skills
Skimming gives you the gist, just scan titles, first and last sentences, and topic sentences. Scanning helps you zero in on keywords, dates, numbers, or names when answering questions. These techniques drastically improve speed and accuracy.
2.Practice Different IELTS Reading Question Types
To perform well, it’s important to become familiar with each type and understand how to approach them effectively.
Strategies for Each Question Type:
Multiple-Choice Questions: Read the question carefully before reviewing the answer options. Focus on eliminating obviously incorrect choices to narrow down your selection. Look for specific details or keywords in the passage that match the options.
True/False/Not Given Questions: Determine if the statement directly matches the passage (True), contradicts the passage (False), or is not mentioned at all (Not Given). To do this effectively, identify key phrases and pay close attention to paraphrasing.
Matching Headings: Understand the main idea of each paragraph before choosing a heading. Focus on the overall theme rather than specific details, and look for words in the passage that are synonyms or closely related to the wording in the headings.
Sentence Completion: Pay close attention to the required word count (e.g., “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS”) and the context of the sentence. Use the surrounding sentences to find clues that guide you to the correct answer.
3.Master Time Management
You have 1 hour for 40 questions, about 90 seconds each.
Divide time wisely: aim for 20 minutes per passage, and leave at least 5 minutes to review.
Skip tricky questions initially and revisit if time permits.
4.Focus on Building a Strong Vocabulary
To build your vocabulary effectively, expose yourself to a wide range of reading materials and actively learn new words.
Read a variety of sources such as newspapers, magazines, and academic journals to encounter new words in context.
Use vocabulary-building apps to learn, review, and test yourself on new words daily.
Create flashcards with definitions, example sentences, and synonyms. Review them regularly to reinforce retention.
5.Follow Instructions Carefully and Guess Smartly When Needed
Many candidates lose valuable marks by overlooking basic instructions, especially word limits like “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS” or formatting rules. Always read instructions thoroughly and follow them precisely.
Additionally, if you're unsure of an answer, don’t leave it blank. There’s no penalty for wrong answers on the IELTS, so make an educated guess by eliminating unlikely options and using logic. Being attentive to details and taking smart risks can help you maximize your score.
6.Understand How IELTS Reading Questions Are Designed
Understanding how IELTS Reading questions are crafted can give you a valuable advantage. Typically, questions follow the order of information in the passage, so answers usually appear in sequence.
Key ideas are often found in the first and last sentences of paragraphs, making these areas important to focus on.
Additionally, the test uses synonyms and paraphrasing, so you won’t always find exact wording in the text. Keeping these points in mind helps you navigate passages more efficiently and accurately.
7.Common IELTS General Reading Topics to Prepare For
The IELTS General Reading test lasts 60 minutes, during which you must answer 40 questions based on three different passages. These passages cover a wide range of everyday and workplace-related topics. Familiarizing yourself with common themes can help you prepare effectively. Some of the typical topics you may encounter include:
Space science
News
Pedagogy
Child growth and learning
Movies
Places of tourist attraction
Employee benefits
Organizational management
Domestic and international travel
Travel restrictions
Working hours
Employee-employer relation
Managerial theory
Clarity in HR policies
Job satisfaction Work-life balance
Business deals
Social issues
Economic status of the company
Risk management plan
Issues in leadership
8.Top IELTS Books for Reading Preparation
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic & General Training by Pauline Cullen, Amanda French, and Vanessa Jakeman
Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Student's Book with Answers with Audio by Cambridge University Press (various authors, official Cambridge release)(Note: Also available for General Training – e.g., Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training)
Barron's IELTS Super pack by Lin Lougheed
Collins English for IELTS – Reading by Els Van Geyte
IELTS Trainer Six Practice Tests with Answers and Audio CDs by Louise Hashemi and Barbara Thomas
Target Band 7: IELTS Academic Module - How to Maximize Your Score by Simone Braverman
15 Days’ Practice for IELTS Reading by Wang Hongyan
Road to IELTS (British Council)Developed by Clarity English and the British Council
9.Stay Calm and Focused
During the IELTS Reading test, it's essential to stay calm under pressure. If a question feels too difficult, don’t waste time, move on and return to it later if needed. Stress can slow down your reading speed and affect your focus.
To stay in control, practice under timed conditions and simulate real test environments regularly. Underline! When you skim over the text, underline the most important phrases, this will help you quickly locate key information when answering questions. A clear, focused mind and smart reading strategies like underlining can help you read faster, stay organized, and avoid simple mistakes.
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