12 Dec
TIPS TO SUCCEED THE IELTS READING TEST
The IELTS reading test is different for general training and academics. The academic reading test is for students planning to study at a university or other academic institution where the primary language is English. The study-based transcripts used in the academic reading test assess a student’s ability to understand complex ideas and arguments presented in academic writing. The texts may come from newspapers, journals, or academic articles, and cover several topics of science, technology, social science, and art.
The general training reading test is for professionals planning to live, work, or study in an English-speaking country at a non-academic level. This test uses texts that are more general and include topics likely to be encountered in everyday life, such as job advertisements, travel guides, and newspaper articles. The design of the questions aims to test the student’s ability to understand the main ideas and details presented in the text. They may include tasks such as matching information, completing sentences, or identifying the writer’s views.
Here we talk about the academic IELTS reading test. As mentioned earlier, the IELTS reading test evaluates a student’s ability to read and understand academic texts in English. The test consists of three sections and a total of 40 questions. You get 60 minutes to complete the test.
The first section of the test contains one or two short texts, and students are required to answer a series of MCQs based on the information presented in the text. There are usually 13-14 questions in this section.
The second section contains two longer texts, which may include diagrams, graphs, or illustrations. The questions in this section are more complex, and you must identify the writer’s views, match information, or complete diagrams. There are usually 13-14 questions in this section as well.
The third section is the most challenging and consists of one long text, usually an academic article or research paper. The text may be up to 2500 to 2700 words long (including all 3 passages), and this test reflects the student’s ability to understand and analyze complex information and ideas. There are usually 13-14 questions in this section.
To know more about the IELTS reading test, check out https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/test-format
The IELTS reading test is used as a standardized measure of English
proficiency by many universities and colleges across the world. A good score on the IELTS reading test can demonstrate a student’s ability to understand and work with English-language texts at an advanced level, which can be an important factor in determining eligibility for academic programs and further opportunities. Hence, scoring a good band on the reading test can make a significant impact on your IELTS test score. Let’s discuss a few tips that will help you score better;
- Understand the IELTS test format
Before you begin your IELTS reading test preparation, know the format of the exams. This helps you strategize your strongest points and create an effective game plan.
- Create the habit of reading
The IELTS reading test is time-bound, and to succeed in this test, having a good reading speed is of necessity. Read every day. Build the habit of reading and practice it by reading various texts from newspapers, journals, magazines, and academic articles. This will improve focus, grasping power, and language proficiency, gradually increasing your reading speed.
- Practice
Success in the IELTS reading test is only achieved through practice. With every practice, you learn about your mistakes and make less of them during the main examinations. Practice helps you multitask by focusing, managing time, and making sure answers are transferred correctly. Thorough preparations always help you score better.
- Vocabulary
Reading, practicing, and learning new words is one way to build your vocab. In addition, you can also enhance your vocabulary by listening to content in the English language, whether it’s series, podcasts, or shows. However, it’s not important to memorize or learn words daily. Furthermore, it’s also not necessary that you understand all the words. One should learn to analyze and understand the context, from the lines above. Moreover, no one knows all the words, even the native speakers don’t know all of them. Hence, the main skill is understanding the context of the para.
- Read the instructions carefully
When it comes to the IELTS reading test & listening test, the main reason for errors is negligence towards instructions. Both these tests are practically based on following the instructions. Make 100% sure you are following the instructions.
- Skim the passage
Before attempting to answer the questions, it is essential to skim through the passage to get a general idea of the content. This will help you understand the main theme and identify the relevant information for each question. Skimming will also help you save time, as you will not have to read the entire passage in detail.
- Look for keywords
Keywords are important words that are essential to the meaning of the text. They can help you locate the information you need to answer the questions. Look for keywords in the questions and the text and use them to find the relevant information.
- Identify the question type
The IELTS reading test consists of different questions, such as multiple-choice, true/false/not given, and matching. Read the instructions carefully about what you are asked to do. It is essential to identify the question type before attempting to answer it, as each type requires a different approach.
- Stay calm and focused
It is essential to stay calm and focused during the IELTS reading test. Do not panic if you see a difficult question or do not know the answer to a particular question. Don’t stay stuck to one question, move on to the next question and come back to it later if you have time.
