IELTS Academic Reading Guide
Your complete guide to mastering the 8 question types, developing core reading skills, and managing your time effectively.
Test Overview
60 Minutes
No extra time to transfer answers.
40 Questions
Across a variety of question types.
3 Long Texts
Authentic texts from academic sources.
Types of Questions & Strategies
Core Reading Skills
Skimming: Quickly read to get the general idea of a passage.
Scanning: Search for specific keywords, names, or numbers.
Close Reading: Read a small section carefully to understand its precise meaning.
Paraphrase Recognition: Identify when the question uses different words to express the same idea as the text.
General Strategies
Questions First: Always read the questions before reading the passage in detail.
Time Management: Aim for 20 minutes per section. Don't get stuck on one question.
Underline Keywords: Highlight important words in both the questions and the passage.
Never Leave a Blank: There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always guess if you're unsure.
Practice Tests & Resources
IELTS Academic Reading Test
A complete guide to the test format, scoring, and essential tips to get you started on your preparation journey.
IELTS Academic Reading Test Set 2 (Practice+Timer)
Test your skills under exam conditions with a built-in timer. A great way to simulate the real test experience.
IELTS Reading Practice (1)
Work through a set of practice questions focusing on various skills and question types to build your confidence.
IELTS Reading Practice 2
Another full practice set to help you refine your strategies and improve your reading speed and accuracy.