IELTS Reading Tips: Skimming, Scanning & More

Master the IELTS Reading test by employing effective reading strategies. Learn how to read efficiently and tackle different question types within the strict time limit.

Essential Reading Techniques

Skimming: Reading for Gist

Skimming means reading quickly to get a general idea or overview of the text. Don't read every word. Focus on:

Title and any subheadings
First sentence (topic sentence) of each paragraph
Last sentence of each paragraph (often a summary)
Keywords that stand out

When to use: At the beginning to understand the passage's main topic, or for questions asking for main ideas (like Matching Headings).

Scanning: Reading for Specific Information

Scanning means looking quickly through the text to find specific pieces of information, such as names, dates, numbers, or specific keywords from a question.

Know exactly what you're looking for (e.g., a year, a name, a technical term).
Let your eyes move rapidly over the text.
Don't read every word; look for the shape or type of information you need.

When to use: For questions asking for specific details (e.g., sentence completion, short answers, finding specific examples).

Intensive Reading: Reading for Detail

Once scanning locates the relevant part of the text, you often need to read that specific section carefully (intensively) to fully understand the meaning and answer the question accurately.

When to use: After scanning, to answer detailed comprehension questions, True/False/Not Given, or questions about opinions/arguments.

Time Management (60 Minutes / 40 Questions)

Allocate Time: Aim to spend roughly 20 minutes on each of the three reading sections/passages.
Don't Get Stuck: If a question is too difficult or taking too long, make an educated guess (if possible), mark it, and move on. Come back at the end if you have time.
Transfer Answers Directly (Computer): On the computer test, type answers directly.
No Extra Transfer Time (Paper): On the paper test, write answers directly onto the answer sheet as you go. There is NO extra time at the end for transferring answers in the Reading test.
Check Answers: If you finish early, use the remaining time to review your answers, checking for spelling and grammar in completion tasks.

Remember: 60 minutes is for both reading AND writing your answers on the answer sheet (for paper-based).

Other Important Tips

Understand All Question Types: Familiarize yourself with every type of Reading question before the test. Practice strategies specific to each type.
Deal with Unknown Vocabulary: Don't panic if you see unfamiliar words. Try to guess the meaning from the surrounding context. Often, you don't need to understand every single word to answer the question. See Reading Vocabulary.
Follow Instructions Carefully: Pay close attention to word limits and specific instructions for each question set.
Develop Reading Speed: Practice reading academic articles or quality news sources regularly to improve your reading speed and comprehension naturally.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice with real IELTS Reading materials, the more familiar you will become with the format, question types, and required skills. Find Practice Tests.

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