IELTS Reading: format & strategy
Three passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes — and no extra time to copy answers. The trick isn't reading faster, it's skimming and scanning so you find answers without reading every word.
How IELTS Reading works
You read three passages and answer 40 questions in 60 minutes. Each correct answer is one mark; your raw score out of 40 is converted to a band. Crucially, there's no extra transfer time (unlike Listening) — so write answers straight onto the sheet as you work.
About 30/40 ≈ band 7 and 23/40 ≈ band 6 in Academic Reading. Exact marks vary by version, and General Training usually needs a few more correct for the same band. See band scores →
Academic vs General Training texts
📘 Academic Reading
Three longer texts taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers — written for a non-specialist but academically-ready audience. They range from descriptive to analytical and may include diagrams or graphs.
📗 General Training Reading
Everyday and workplace texts first — notices, adverts, timetables, company handbooks and guidelines — then one longer general-interest passage at the end.
The question types
A single passage can mix several of these. Knowing each one's trick saves time:
Multiple choice
Pick the best option — watch for answers that are true but don't answer the question.
True / False / Not Given
Tests facts. "Not Given" = the info isn't in the text at all.
Yes / No / Not Given
Tests the writer's views/claims — not facts. Same "Not Given" logic.
Matching headings
Match a heading to each paragraph — read first and last sentences first.
Matching information / features
Find which paragraph contains a detail, or match items to categories.
Sentence / summary completion
Fill gaps using words from the text — mind the word limit.
Note / table / flow-chart / diagram labels
Complete a visual using exact words from the passage.
Short-answer questions
Answer in a few words, again within the stated word limit.
The T/F/NG vs Y/N/NG trap
These two cost the most marks because students confuse them:
| Answer | True / False / Not Given (facts) | Yes / No / Not Given (opinions) |
|---|---|---|
| True / Yes | The fact matches the passage | The writer agrees / claims this |
| False / No | The fact contradicts the passage | The writer disagrees with this |
| Not Given | The information / opinion simply isn't in the text | |
Don't use outside knowledge or "common sense" — answer only from what the passage actually says. If you can't find it, it's Not Given.
A reliable reading strategy
Skim the passage first (1–2 min)
Read the title, first/last sentences and topic sentences to get the gist — don't read every word.
Read the questions, underline keywords
Spot names, dates, numbers and unusual words you can scan for.
Scan for those keywords
Find the matching part of the text, then read those lines carefully.
Answer in order, but skip & return
Don't lose 5 minutes on one question — mark it and move on.
Never leave a blank
No marks are lost for wrong answers, so always guess the leftovers.
Aim for ~20 minutes per passage. Passage 3 is usually hardest, so don't let passages 1–2 eat your time.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
How long is Reading and how many questions?
What's the difference between T/F/NG and Y/N/NG?
How does Academic Reading differ from General?
How many correct answers for band 7?
Practice with the clock running.
Do full passages in 20 minutes each and review every wrong answer to spot patterns.
Format, timing and question types are based on official British Council IELTS information. Raw-score-to-band figures are approximate and vary by test version. Always confirm details with your test centre.