There’s a big misunderstanding out there about the IELTS Reading test — and it’s costing people time, energy, and even money. (Hint: This post is about an IELTS Reading strategy)
So let’s clear this up today. 💬
A lot of test-takers believe they need to read every single word in the text and spend the majority of their time doing that… just to answer the questions.
Sounds familiar? 😅
Well, it makes sense why our brain would think that way. I mean, if there’s a big chunk of reading in front of us, our natural instinct is to dive in and start reading everything, right?
But here’s the truth bomb 💥: IELTS Reading is not about how much you read. It’s about what you read.
You Only Have 60 Minutes. Use It Wisely! ⏰
Let’s not forget — you have just one hour to answer 40 questions across three passages. That’s not a lot of time if you’re reading everything from top to bottom. 😵💫
So what should you do instead? – Have an IELTS Reading strategy.
Let’s break it down into simple steps ⬇️
🔍 Step 1: Look at the Questions First
Yes, before you even touch the reading passage, look at the questions.
And no, you don’t have to read or understand them deeply right away.
Just look at them. Why?
Because the type of question will tell you a lot about what you need to do next. Depending on the question, you might:
Read the text first
Or read the questions first
Also, you will know how many questions you should remember at a time.
🎯 It’s all about strategy and time management.
🎯 Step 2: Know What You’re Looking For
Don’t read without a purpose.
When you go back to the passage, you need to have a clear target in mind.
Ask yourself:
What specific information do I need?
What kind of details should I be looking for?
This helps your brain filter the information — so you’re not wasting time on things that don’t matter.
Think of it like going into a supermarket 🛒 with a shopping list. You don’t check every aisle. You just go straight to what you need.
🚀 Bonus Tip: Ignore the Irrelevant Stuff
When you’re reading, not everything in the passage is important. You can ignore the parts that don’t relate to the question.
👉 Just scan quickly until you find the section that likely contains the answer.
👉 Focus only on that part.
This is the key to answering accurately and saving time.
Want More Strategies Like This? 😎
Different question types need different strategies — and I go through all of them in my guide:
✨ Everything IELTS: The Comprehensive Guide to IELTS
The best part? It’s FREE for all members of my Everything IELTS Preparation plans!
Ready to take control of your reading time?
👉 Apply this tip and start practicing for free here: Free practice tests
Have fun learning and see you there! 💪💬
— Huyen 🧡
Responses