If you’re reading this guide, chances are you’re either preparing for IELTS yourself, or supporting someone who is going to sit the test.

You know that preparation is the key to success in IELTS and you’re ready to put the time and effort into improving your English and perfecting your test technique.

Whether your goal is to study, work or live in an English-speaking environment, this list of examiner approved test tips will help you to understand what examiners are looking for and provide helpful insights and reminders to help you do your best in the IELTS Reading test.

1.Academic (60 minutes)
There are three sections, each containing one long text. The texts are all real and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They are on academic topics of general interest which means you do not need any specialist knowledge to do well. The texts are appropriate to, and accessible to, candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.

Texts range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. They may contain nonverbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms, then a simple glossary is provided.

2.General Training (60 minutes)
There are three sections.

Section 1: contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements). Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country.

Section 2: contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues (e.g. applying for jobs, company policies, pay and conditions, workplace facilities, staff development and training).

Section 3: contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest. You’ll be reading real passages taken from notices, adverts, company handbooks, official documents, books, magazines and newspapers.

1.To improve your performance in the Reading test you need to
practise reading a variety of English texts. This will help you develop
the ability to read quickly, as is required under test conditions.

2.Read every question carefully first before reading the passages.
This will make it easier for you to find the answers. Underline
possible answers as you go.

3.When you come to reading the passage, read it quickly the first
time in order to get a general idea of what it’s about. Don’t worry
about words you do not understand. Then read each question again
to remind yourself which parts of the passage you will need to read
again in detail.

4. If you are copying words from a
question or reading passage to use
in your answer, remember that your
spelling must be accurate.

7.Use the correct verb tense when answering questions in
the Speaking test. Listen carefully to the question and notice which verb tense is used. For example, if the question is ‘What kind of music do you like?’ (in the present tense) your answer should also be in the present tense (e.g. ‘I like pop music best’). You can go on to use other tenses as you extend your response, e.g. ‘I haven’t always enjoyed that kind of music…’.

5.The Reading test may sometimes include questions which test your overall
understanding of a passage. For example, the question may ask what the topic of a
particular passage is. Try underlining key words and ideas in each paragraph as you
read to help you understand the key message of each passage.

6.If you are asked to label a diagram, you will find the words you need in the
text. Be sure to copy them carefully from the text with the correct spelling.

7.If there are questions you cannot answer, leave them and move on to the next
question. This will help you to stay calm and positive. Go back to those questions at the end, if you have time.