The Time Problem
IELTS Reading has 40 questions in 60 minutes across 3 passages of increasing difficulty. Most candidates spend too long on difficult questions early and run out of time later. Time management is a skill that requires deliberate practice.
Passage Timing
- Passage 1: 18 minutes (easiest)
- Passage 2: 20 minutes
- Passage 3: 22 minutes (hardest — most candidates under-perform here due to time pressure)
Question-Type Strategies
- Matching headings: Read paragraph efficiently by focusing on topic sentence (first or last sentence of each paragraph). Don't read every word.
- True/False/Not Given: The most difficult question type. "Not Given" means the information is simply absent from the text — don't infer. The answer must be explicitly stated.
- Short answer: Use skimming and scanning. Find the keyword in the text, read the surrounding 2–3 sentences.
The Underlining Method
Before reading each passage, underline the keywords in each question. These are your "search terms." Scan the passage for these keywords (or synonyms), then read carefully only the surrounding context. Do not read the full passage from start to finish — it wastes precious time.
Practice Resources
- Cambridge IELTS Official Test Practice Books (1–18) — only use authentic material
- IELTS.org practice materials (free)
- IELTS Advantage Reading practice (free on their website)
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