How the IELTS Reading test works
| Academic Reading | General Training Reading | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 60 minutes (no extra transfer time) | 60 minutes (no extra transfer time) |
| Questions | 40 | 40 |
| Texts | 3 long passages from books, journals, magazines and newspapers | Section 1: short everyday texts · Section 2: work-related texts · Section 3: one longer general text |
| Band 6 / 7 / 8 | about 23 / 30 / 35 correct | about 30 / 35 / 38 correct |
Every question is worth one mark, and there's no penalty for a wrong answer. The passages get harder as you go, so Passage 3 is usually the most difficult. See IELTS band scores explained for the full conversion.
12 IELTS Reading tips that actually move your score
1. Give each passage 20 minutes, and stick to it
Set a mental alarm at 20 and 40 minutes. If you're still on Passage 1 at 22 minutes, guess the rest and move on. Passage 3 has as many marks as Passage 1, and you need time for it.
2. Skim first, then read the questions
Spend about two minutes skimming: the title, the first sentence of each paragraph and any names, dates or numbers. You're building a map of the passage, not trying to understand every word.
3. Scan for key words and their synonyms
The question almost never uses the same words as the passage. If the question says "cost", look for price, expense, spending or afford. Underline the key word in the question, think of two or three paraphrases, then scan.
4. Answers usually come in order
For most question types (True/False/Not Given, completion, multiple choice), the answers appear in the same order as the passage. If you've found the answers to questions 3 and 5, the answer to question 4 is between them. Matching headings and matching information are the exceptions.
5. Learn the difference between False and Not Given
This is the most common reason people lose marks. False means the passage says the opposite. Not Given means the passage doesn't say either way. Read the full guide: True, False, Not Given.
6. Read paragraph openings for matching headings
A heading sums up the main idea of the whole paragraph, not one detail in it. Read the first and last sentences, decide the main idea in your own words, then choose. Full method: IELTS matching headings.
7. Obey the word limit exactly
"NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS" means one or two words. Three words is wrong, even if they're the right words. A number written in figures (like 1995) counts as one word, and hyphenated words (like well-known) count as one word.
8. Copy words from the passage, and spell them correctly
For completion questions, the answer is in the passage. Copy it exactly. Check that it fits the grammar of the sentence (singular or plural? a noun or a verb?).
9. Don't use your own knowledge
Even if you know a fact is true, the answer depends only on what the passage says. This matters most in True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given.
10. Never leave a blank
There's no penalty for wrong answers. If time runs out, guess: for True/False/Not Given, a guess still has a one-in-three chance.
11. Build reading speed outside the test
Read one article a day from a quality source (science magazines, the ABC, The Conversation) and summarise each paragraph in five words. This trains exactly the skill IELTS tests: finding the main idea fast.
12. Practise under real conditions
Take full 60-minute tests, not just single passages, so you learn your own timing. Our IELTS reading mock test generator gives you a new 40-question test every time, with an estimated band.
IELTS Reading question types (and how to answer each)
| Question type | What to do | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Decide if a statement agrees with the facts | Confusing False and Not Given |
| Yes / No / Not Given | Same, but about the writer's opinions | Answering with facts, not views |
| Matching headings | Choose the heading for each paragraph | Headings that match one detail |
| Matching information | Find which paragraph contains a piece of information | Answers are not in order |
| Matching features | Match statements to people, places or dates | Names mentioned more than once |
| Sentence endings | Choose the ending that completes a sentence | Endings that are grammatically fine but untrue |
| Multiple choice | Choose the correct option | Options that repeat words from the passage |
| Sentence / summary / note completion | Fill gaps with words from the passage | The word limit and spelling |
| Diagram / flow-chart / table completion | Label a diagram or complete a table | Follow the order of the process |
| Short-answer questions | Answer in a few words | The word limit |
How to practise IELTS Reading with our free tests
- Take a full test first: Academic Reading full test 1 or the General Training reading full test. You'll get an estimated band.
- Check the results table. It shows your score for each question type. Your two weakest types are your priority.
- Practise those types with single passages from the IELTS practice tests page. The passage stays beside the questions, as in the computer-delivered test.
- Track your progress with My progress, then take a new mock test every week or two.
Unofficial practice. We wrote these questions to match the official IELTS question types and timings. They are not real exam questions, and points shown are practice feedback, not a band score. For official sample tests, visit ielts.org.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions do I need to get right for band 7 in IELTS Reading?
On average, about 30 out of 40 in Academic Reading and about 35 out of 40 in General Training Reading. IELTS adjusts the exact number slightly for each test version, so treat these as guides.
Is there extra time to transfer answers in IELTS Reading?
No. Unlike Listening, there's no extra transfer time in Reading. On paper, write your answers on the answer sheet as you go. On computer, you type answers straight in.
Does spelling count in IELTS Reading?
Yes. A misspelled answer is marked wrong. British and American spellings are both accepted, and capital letters don't matter.
Should I read the whole passage first?
Not in detail. Skim it in about two minutes to understand what each paragraph is about, then read the questions and scan for the parts you need. Reading every word carefully first usually leaves you short of time.
Is IELTS General Training Reading easier than Academic?
The texts are more everyday (notices, adverts, workplace documents and one longer general text), but you need more correct answers for the same band. For example, band 6 needs about 23/40 in Academic but about 30/40 in General Training.