Overview – IELTS Reading Test

In this Blog post, it is time to take a look at the IELTS reading test:

A little often (from an early start) is better than cramming in practice time

Candidates should remember that there are two versions of the IELTS test; a General Training IELTS Reading exam or an Academic IELTS Reading exam.  The difference between the two versions is in the Reading and Writing modules only (the Listening and Speaking modules are the same for both versions of the test) and the main difference between the Academic and General Reading Modules of the IELTS test is the content of the reading passages. The General Module uses easier texts from social, academic, and work contexts whereas the Academic Module uses more advanced texts, at an undergraduate or graduate level, from academic sources. The skills and abilities that are tested are the same for both versions of the test

One mark is awarded for each correct answer and your total score (out of 40) is converted into a band score on the IELTS scale (from 0 to 9). Scores are reported as a whole band or as a half band so it is possible to score 6.5 or 5.5 but the top score is 9 (not 9.5)

The Academic and General Training Modules for the reading test however are similar:

Ø  Both last for one hour

Ø  Both contain 3 passages to read in one hour

Ø  Both have around 40 questions to answer

Ø  Both are scored in the same way

But there are some important differences (we will however go into more detail looking at the academic test)

IELTS General Training Reading Paper

This is divided into three sections of increasing difficulty and there are 40 questions in total, the sections are as follows:

Section 1 – two to three short texts - Notices, advertisements, publicity booklets, timetables, etc. (14 questions)

Section 2 – two texts - College catalogues, course descriptions, rules and regulations, library guides, etc. (13 questions)

Section 3 – one long text - Newspapers, magazines, journals, books, etc. (13 questions)

Don't get stressed out about the IELTS reading test

IELTS Academic Reading Paper

Candidates have 60 minutes to read the three passages and answer 40 questions (11-15 questions for each section). Candidates are advised to spend about 20 minutes on each passage. Do not waste time worrying about items that you can’t answer and pay special regard to the fact that the texts will probably get progressively more difficult. Therefore it can be a good idea of candidates to divide their time into three 20 minute segments as follows:

Ø  17 minutes on section 1

Ø  20 minutes on section 2

Ø  23 minutes on section 3

If you have a particularly difficult question, mark it so that you can return to it later and move onto the next question. If you finish early, you can use time at the end of the test to come back.

All answers must be entered on to the Answer Sheet during the 60-minutes allowed, while candidates may write their answers on the Question Paper first if they wish to, it should be heavily emphasised that no extra time is allowed to transfer answers to the Answer Sheet (this is a major different from the listening test where candidates do have 10 minutes after the audio finishes in which to transfer their answers).


The Academic Reading Module will use passages that are based on undergraduate or graduate level texts; they could be taken from books, newspapers or magazines. One passage usually has general academic content, one passage presents a logical argument, and one passage includes a diagram, graph or illustration. Candidates do not require any specialist or technical knowledge to understand the texts. Any   passages that contain technical vocabulary will be explained (in a glossary or footnote or in the text itself).

There are 10 basic task types, some with possible variations. A variety of task types will be used in all tests and more than one task type may be used for each passage. Candidates should remember that questions might appear before passage and after a reading passage.

The 10 types of questions are:

1.    Multiple choice

2.    Short-answer

3.    Sentence completion

4.    Tables, diagrams, flow charts

5.    Summary completion

6.    Paragraph headings

7.    Locating information

8.    Identifying writer's views or claims

9.    Classification

10. Matching

The test asks candidates to show their ability to identify main ideas, supporting ideas, writer’s opinions and specific information.

Pay special attention to the exam questions - when the instructions state that the candidate should answer in, for example, “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS” – do not exceed the word limit or it will be marked incorrect (that includes using articles “a” “an” “the”).

All words that candidates will need in order to answer the questions will be given in the passage, so they should be encouraged to transfer their answers to the Answer Sheet with care. Candidates should be aware that poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

The test is designed to ensure that Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they can:

Ø  Grasp the big picture as well as the minor points

Ø  Distinguish facts from opinions and attitudes

Ø  Identify the overall purpose of the passage

Ø  Follow the main arguments in a written text

Ø  Locate specific details and relevant information

Ø  Summarize any key points

Ø  Infer meaning

Ø  Use accurate spelling and correct grammar

In later posts we will examine some of the key skills needed to do well in the Reading Test.