IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks

What is IELTS? An Overview

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is used as an English language proficiency certificate in the countries where English is used as a native language. It is conducted by British Council, IDP and Cambridge Assessment English. IELTS has four sections- reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It is good for you to get mastery in these skills, but reading is bit tricky, so IELTS reading tips and tricks are there for you. But, before this, let us have further overview of IELTS.

There are two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both are acceptable in English speaking countries. But the purpose of both tests is different. IELTS Academic test is acceptable when you want to go abroad for higher studies while IELTS General Training purpose is used to go abroad for work, getting admission in under-graduation classes or to immigrate in any English-speaking country.

Reading section overview

Reading, a component of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, is designed to assess the English language proficiency of individuals who are not native speakers.

Reading section is comprised of three passages and the level of difficulty increases passage by passage. These passages are taken from books, journals, articles, newspapers, or magazines.

You know that the duration for the IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes. This is a time frame in which you are required to answer all questions and transfer all the answers on the separate answer sheet within this time. So, keep in mind that you have limited time to cover all the passages of Reading section. It means you have just 17 to 18 minutes for one passage. If you become the master in IELTS reading time management, you can easily get required bands.

Following are the most effective 22 IELTS Reading tips and tricks:

Read Instructions very carefully

Instructions of any test play a vital role to guide you to stay in a range of the test which is mentioned in the test. So, it is most important for you to read the instructions very carefully while attempting the question paper of IELTS Reading test.

The benefits of reading all instructions are very important. After reading the instructions carefully, you remain in the range of test. The word limit, time duration and question strategies that how to solve – all these will be done properly if you read instructions properly. This attention helps you to avoid errors, misunderstandings and unnecessary points. These guidelines for IELTS reading test will excel your reading skills.

Timing Management is the foundation of reading module

IELTS test is a time limited test, so IELTS reading test is also time limited test. The time duration for IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes in which you need to cover all three passages. I must recommend to spend just 17 to 18 minutes on each passage. After doing the first paragraph, transfer your answers written on the booklet to the separate answer sheet provided to you.

In case of any problem while transferring the answers will be very harmful for your bands, so do its practice and make it possible.

Be Master in each type of reading

It refers to the improving of all types of reading for Reading section in IELTS.

There are different types of reading such as,

• Skimming
• Scanning
• Extensive Reading
• Intensive Reading etc.

As there are different types of reading, so it is required for you to polish each of them. Developing each type of reading not only improves your reading skills but also improves your ability to perform better in the IELTS reading module.

Skimming and Scanning

Skimming and scanning are the two main skills in the IELTS reading test. These are used to find information and answer the questions quickly. Furthermore, by using skimming and scanning techniques, you can easily save your time and find information as quickly as possible.

Skimming means to lookout the passage faster to find main points and structure of the passage. It helps to save time and find the main points in a short time. In Scanning, reader quickly looks out on the text which is bit slower than skimming. In this type of reading, you do not need to read each word of the text, instead it is specifically used to find specific facts, dates, number of something etc.

By skimming and scanning you can

• Easily save your time to do better in the test.
• Find specific information as quickly as possible.
• Search main words and structure of the text to better understand in a limited time frame.
• Easily improve your speed of reading to answer the question.

Focus on the ideas, not on words

The phrase “focus on the ideas, not on words” is based on attention and focused reading. It aids to perform better in IELTS reading test. Focusing on ideas means you are reading a whole passage, but not reading each word, because your total focus is on the ideas of the text and main points which you need to pick out from the text.

The questions are mostly paraphrased text, so it is a trap to understand the whole passages to answer the questions. If you stuck in the trap of the text, it will lay you down to the performance and consume a lot of your precious time.

Sometime you will face the unfamiliar words, but do not lose your confidence and perform your best by analyzing sense of the entire sentence.

Develop your speed- reading skills

Speed reading mean reading in a limited fast mode through which you can easily understand the text and its main ideas as well as what the topic is about. Speed reading enhances your ability to perform fast in the exam. Because your test is time limited test, therefore it is required for you to enable your quick performance in the test. Speed reading helps to save your time in the test.

Do not panic over unknown words

It is a strategy that you can implement when you face any unfamiliar word or phrase in the module of IELTS reading. By this technique you cannot face distraction while understanding the passages of IELTS reading during the real test.

When you face any unknown word, it is important for you to avoid being panic during test. Because worry leads your mind to stress and on the way of confusion which will result in the improper answers and errors. Improve your guessing power and use the techniques of IELTS reading test, skimming and scanning to overcome unfamiliar words.

Develop your own Technique

Choosing your own technique is a unique method to cover the task. Most of the candidates of IELTS copy others, but making your own techniques is more powerful and helpful than others. In reading module, you can make your own techniques to perform better in the IELTS Reading test. These may be in skimming, scanning or in comprehension.

Do not try to understand the full passage

The term “do not try to understand the full passage” refers to the approach of IELTS reading. By this key point means you do not require to read whole passages, just need to pick up things which are asked in questions. Title of the passage and matching headings are just two questions which require detailed understanding of the whole passage.

By this technique of IELTS reading, you can save your time without wasting to read passage word by word. Because IELTS reading test has a limited time frame, so it is compulsory for you to attempt it within the available time. This method of IELTS reading test will boost your reading skills.

Develop Advance Vocabulary

It is important to develop your vocabulary. Vocabulary plays significant role in understanding the passage of the test. It not only helps in IELTS Reading section but also improves the performance in other sections of IELTS.

To improve your vocabulary, you must learn related words and word lists, because by this procedure you can be able to know the exact meaning of word and where and how you can use these words.

Developing vocabulary has several benefits:

• Advance or standard vocabulary helps you to understand the passage or text easily and in a short time without any struggle.
• Higher level vocabulary decreases the chances of confusion on unfamiliar words or sentences.
• With this technique of IELTS Reading test, the writing module will be improved a lot.
• With this trick, you can easily paraphrase the passages in a limited time without much difficulty to write.

There are many benefits to develop vocabulary and its strategies which will help a lot in your IELTS reading test as well as other sections of IELTS.

Following 3 techniques are quite helpful in enhancing your IELTS reading vocabulary:

• During practice, note down the difficult or unknown words along with examples in your notebook to understand context in a better way.
• Compare unfamiliar words with familiar words- memorize synonyms in English, not in your native language. e.g., cage means box or container.
• Revise these noted words on daily basis to make it as part of your active vocabulary.

Active reading

Active reading refers to focused reading. Focused reading does not mean to read each word of the passage during test. It may consume a lot of time if you read each word of the passage during test. Focused reading means when you are reading, your total focus will be on the question and related parts of the passage because at that time you have to find out the key words and main points of the text to answer the question.

You must practice this technique to improve your reading skills. And while preparation you have good time to perform these activities to gain confidence and speed in reading. Skimming and scanning, both skills will be helpful in this technique. You will improve your abilities of paraphrasing and summarizing the texts.

Pick key words/ key phrases

Picking up the keywords is the basic point regarding the IELTS Reading test. Picking key words saves your time to perform better in the test. As the answers will be in series of the passage, be careful while reading and picking the key words during reading test.

Don’t leave any Question Unanswered

It emphasizes the importance of answering all questions even you are unsure or there is issue of time limit. Leaving blank or not answering the question gives a bad impact in the test and on the examiner. On the other hand, attempting all questions increases the chances of getting more scores which can result in high bands.

Answering wrong questions has no penalties. So, focus on familiar words, improve your guessing power and practice to boost this strategy of IELTS reading. These types of strategies for IELTS reading will affect your IELTS bands.

Correct spellings guarantee higher bands

Accurate spellings play a significant role in achieving higher bands in IELTS reading module as well as other sections of IELTS i.e., Listening, Speaking and especially in Writing. Keep in mind that right answer with wrong spellings will result in the loss of bands.

Correct spellings enhance the clarity of words and make sentences effective. It is also important to note that accurate spellings contribute to higher bands not only in IELTS Reading but also in all others sections of IELTS.

In case of spelling memorization, division of words into different parts, especially syllables, is result oriented, as I have experienced it on many students in IELTS classes at Falcon Computer Academy (www.falconryk.com).

Grammar plays a key role in reading test

Grammar is the contributing factor of the English language. It plays a vital role not only in the section of IELTS Reading but also in Speaking, Writing, and Listening. The key role of Grammar is applicable in all aspects of English Language.

Grammar helps in sentence completion, error identification, and comprehension. It is obligatory for you to take a good command on the grammar, and you can do this by reading different types of text. It may be from books, articles, newspapers, journals, or magazines. All of these are helpful to increase your level of grammar which will ultimately improve your IELTS bands.

Practice makes you expert reader

The phrase “Practice makes you expert reader” refers that regular practice is crucial to develop the reading skills in IELTS. Practice with consistency improves the abilities of your IELTS reading test. Consistent practice of reading involves the reading of different types of texts such as newspapers, articles, journals, books etc.

Vocabulary does not just helpful to understand variety of passages but also enables to express your thoughts in writing. Regular practice helps you to encounter unfamiliar words and makes you confident to counter them.

Getting used to different passages

During preparation, it is important for you to become good in all aspects of test. You must read different types of books in English to crack the nut of IELTS test. The books which cover wide range of topics like science, fiction, economics, agriculture, information technology and artificial intelligence etc. will make you good reader, and you will understand the strategies of reading.

Reading different types of books are helpful to gain knowledge assisting you to perform better in exam to raise the bands. There are many useful websites for IELTS which will improve your reading to tackle different passages.

Practice previous IELTS reading tests

The focused preparation by working on past IELTS reading test papers is a part of the study approach of IELTS reading module. Practicing authentic past papers helps a lot to improve performance for time management and familiarity with the test format having different types of questions. You also come to know how to attempt a variety of passages.

I actually want to say that hands on practice is very much essential to give you confidence of time management, handling various types of questions by applying different techniques and reading module as a whole.

Resources for Practice

Various material and tools are available for you to prepare IELTS. These are specially designed to help you in different manners. Resources for practice include a wide range of materials available on different platforms.

Different platforms offer a wide range of materials like books, podcasts, past papers, lectures, recordings, and videos. Many websites provide material free of cost, and you can access it easily. Numerous local libraries, coaching classes and IELTS centers are also available to boost you in the world of IELTS. These resources can improve your IELTS reading test.

These resources can be valuable for preparation, guidance, and seeking feedback from experts or instructors.

Know your weaknesses and strengths

Self-awareness means to know all the aspects of your personality. Which types of weaknesses do you have, which abilities do you want to develop, what aspects do you like- all these are related to self-awareness. Nobody can know you better than you. So, it is required to find your own weaknesses and strengths for the sake of improvement.

Once weaknesses are identified, you can develop a plan to beat them. It can be possible only, when a teacher, mentor or any expert guide informs you about your mistakes. After it, you require to practice with zeal and zest to improve perfectly.

Be Realistic

It refers to adopt a practical approach. Being realistic means you need to realize about your strengths and weaknesses. Being realistic means always keep in mind that improving reading skills and strategies will definitely take time and consistent effort.

If you know that you are weak in English, do not expect 7 or 8 bands, because you know well about yourself.

Be careful while Transferring Answers

Make full concentration while transferring answers from question booklet to answer sheet in IELTS reading module. Because this is a time limited test and you have to cover all aspects of the test. If you make a mistake, it will affect your bands. So, be careful and focused while transferring answers to the IELTS reading answer sheet.

Golden rules for IELTS Reading module/ IELTS reading tips

 In a nutshell: IELTS Reading tips and tricks

All of these guidelines are very helpful and authentic to tackle the IELTS reading test. So, grab all these IELTS reading tips and move onto the next.