The most effective way to improve your IELTS Reading test result is to know the test format, identify paraphrasing in the answers, and complete full timed tests once a week in 60 minutes. This is basically the answer to how to improve reading in IELTS.
It is important to note here that most students do not score low in IELTS due to poor English. Instead, they make mistakes either due to slow reading, missing synonyms, or inability to finish the test on time due to Passage 3. The positive aspect is that IELTS reading has a definite pattern, and how to improve IELTS reading score is a skill that can be honed.
The following are the IELTS reading tips, band scores chart, 30-day schedule, and techniques practiced at Tiju’s Academy, the best IELTS coaching centre in Kerala.
What Is the IELTS Reading Test?
The Reading section tests your ability to comprehend the English language in writing. You have 60 minutes to complete 40 questions based on three passages, with no additional time for transferring answers.
Here is the IELTS reading test format at a glance:
- Number of questions: 40, 1 point per question, answer on answer sheet/screen
- Passages: three, generally increasing in difficulty from Passage 1 to Passage 3
- Types of reading materials: the Academic module features lengthy extracts from books, journals, and magazines. The General Training module includes short extracts followed by a lengthy extract.
- Format: paper-based IELTS or computer-delivered IELTS administered through IDP and British Council
IELTS Reading Question Types
- True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given
- Matching headings, information, features and sentence endings
- Multiple choice and short-answer questions
- Sentence, summary, note, table and flow-chart completion
- Diagram label completion
How Is IELTS Reading Scored?
Your raw score out of 40 becomes a band from 1 to 9. This approximate band score conversion table shows your targets. Official tables can shift slightly between tests.
| Band | Academic (correct out of 40) | General Training (correct out of 40) |
| 8 | 35 to 36 | 37 to 38 |
| 7.5 | 33 to 34 | 36 |
| 7 | 30 to 32 | 34 to 35 |
| 6.5 | 27 to 29 | 32 to 33 |
| 6 | 23 to 26 | 30 to 31 |
How Many Correct Answers for Band 7 in IELTS Reading?
Approximately 30/40 for Academic and 34/40 for General Training. More is required for General Training since its passages are less complex.
How to Score Band 7 and Band 8 in IELTS Reading?
- Score band 7 in IELTS reading: answer almost all questions in Passage 1 and Passage 2 correctly and get 5 or 6 marks in Passage 3
- How to get band 8 in IELTS reading: you can miss only about 5 questions, so master True/False/Not Given and matching headings, where high scorers usually slip.
IELTS Reading Tips That Actually Raise Your Score
The best IELTS reading tips are about method, not memory. You do not need every word. You need to find the right sentence fast and check it matches the question. These IELTS reading tips and tricks are the ones our trainers teach in the Read Savvy sessions at Tiju’s Academy.
- Use Skimming and Scanning Techniques
- Skimming: Read the title of the article, the first sentence of each paragraph (also known as the topic sentence), and the last paragraph. Spend about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Scanning: Move your eyes quickly to find names, dates, and numbers without reading every line.
These skimming and scanning techniques for IELTS reading save more time than anything else.
- Expect Paraphrasing
IELTS rarely repeats the question’s words. It uses synonyms and paraphrasing. The question may say “older people” while the passage says “senior citizens.”
- Underline Keywords
Good keyword identification keeps you focused. Underline 2 or 3 words per question and watch small words like “only,” “all,” and “never.” They often decide the answer.
- Guess Difficult Words from Context
For “how to handle difficult vocabulary in IELTS reading,” use vocabulary in context. Look at the sentences around the word, see whether it is a positive or negative word, and apply the suffixes and prefixes such as “un-” (not) and “re-” (again).
- Never Leave a Blank, and Check Spelling
There is no negative marking, so always guess. Follow word limits exactly, and protect your spelling accuracy, because a misspelled answer is marked wrong.
IELTS Reading Time Management
Good IELTS reading time management means giving more time to harder passages. Plan about 17 minutes for Passage 1, 20 for Passage 2, and 23 for Passage 3.
How to Complete IELTS Reading on Time?
- Don’t take more than 60 seconds to answer a question, if that happens mark it and move on.
- On paper, write answers straight onto the answer sheet. There is no transfer time.
- Keep the last 2 to 3 minutes to fill any empty boxes.
How to Find Answers Quickly in IELTS Reading?
- Completion, true/false/not given, and short-answer questions usually follow the order of the passage.
- Matching headings and matching information do not, so skim the whole text first.
- Once you find the right area, slow down and read those lines carefully.
Our 40in60 programme trains exactly this. Trainers explain all 40 questions of a full test and show where each answer sits and why.
Tips for the Most Common Question Types
True/False/Not Given Tips for IELTS
These True/False/Not Given tips IELTS students need come down to three meanings:
- True: the passage agrees with the statement.
- False: the passage says the opposite.
- Not Given: the passage says nothing about it.
Answer only from the passage, never from your own knowledge. Yes/No/Not Given works the same way but checks the writer’s opinion.
Matching Headings and Completion Questions
- For headings, match the main idea of each paragraph, not single words. See our guide on IELTS Band 8 Reading: Headings and Matching Paragraphs.
- For completion, check the word limit and make sure your answer fits the grammar.
IELTS Reading Passage 3 Tips
- Expect inference questions about ideas the writer suggests but does not state
- Look for opinion words like “argues,” “claims,” and “doubts.”
- Short on time? Answer the completion questions first, since they are often quicker.
Academic, General Training and Computer-Delivered Tips
- IELTS Academic reading tips: read academic articles from National Geographic or The Economist, and practice diagram and flowchart questions, which appear more often in Academic.
- Reading Tips for IELTS GT: do practice with ads, notices, and timetables. Do Sections 1 and 2, which are easier, as quickly as possible to get more time for Section 3.
- Tips for IELTS Computer-Delivered Reading: use the highlighting tool like a pen, check the timer on the screen, and practice reading big pieces of text using a computer.
In Tiju’s Academy, you have the Testfinity course that provides you with unlimited mock tests, hence making timed reading natural well before your exam.
How to Improve IELTS Reading at Home?
You can study at home by doing 30 minutes of reading daily, two or three practice tests per week, and maintaining an error log. That routine covers most of how to improve reading skills for IELTS.
- Use Cambridge IELTS books for real IELTS reading practice.
- Read one article a day from BBC, The Guardian, or National Geographic.
- Note every wrong answer, its question type and why you missed it.
How to Increase Reading Speed for IELTS?
- Stop translating in your head. Many Malayali students turn each English sentence into Malayalam first, which doubles reading time.
- Use chunking. Read 3 to 4 words at a glance instead of one.
- Keep comprehension first. Speed is useless if you forget what you read.
How to Improve IELTS Reading in 30 Days?
| Week | Focus |
| Week 1 | Test format, skimming and scanning |
| Week 2 | One or two question types a day |
| Week 3 | 3 full timed tests, review every mistake |
| Week 4 | 4 mock tests under exam conditions |
How to Improve IELTS Reading from 6 to 7
In Academic Reading, Band 6 to Band 7 means going from about 25 correct answers to 30. Find your two weakest question types in your error log and spend a full week on each.
Common Mistakes in IELTS Reading
Fix these common mistakes in IELTS reading and your score can rise without learning any new English:
- Reading every word instead of skimming and scanning
- Matching words, not meaning. Identical words are often traps.
- Using outside knowledge instead of the passage
- Ignoring word limits, which turns right answers wrong
- Getting stuck on one question and losing easy marks later
- Practising without a timer, so test day feels rushed
How Tiju’s Academy Helps You Improve IELTS Reading?
Tiju’s Academy IELTS training gives you a clear method, unlimited practice and personal feedback. With 45,000+ students trained and 72+ faculty members, it is the best IELTS training centre in Kerala for students who want a step-by-step path. Join a class in Mavelikara or Thiruvalla, or choose the best IELTS coaching online from anywhere.
Our Unique IELTS Programmes
- Base Camp: 5-day orientation to the test and how to study
- Base Check: a starting assessment of your level
- Read Savvy and Word Savvy: reading skills and topic vocabulary
- 40in60: a full explanation of all 40 reading questions
- Listenlock: detailed listening explanations
- 250in60: writing correction for Task 2 essays
- Blank2Brilliant and Brain Spark: idea generation for writing and speaking
- Fluent Sphere: relaxed practice to speak with ease
- Testfinity: unlimited mock tests
- 4 in 1 Program: tips for all four modules
- TenX: a batch for students near their exam date
- Mic Drop Day: a final session the day before your exam
What Every Student Gets
- A step-by-step IELTS study plan, target band roadmap and progress tracking
- Mock tests under exam conditions, daily practice tasks and a band descriptor breakdown
- Reading and listening strategies plus time management strategies
- Band 7+ writing templates, personalised essay correction and speaking practice with feedback
- Vocabulary and grammar improvement lessons, live classes or recorded lessons, an exam-day preparation module and a community or peer group
This is why many students call us the best institute for IELTS and trust our IELTS exam coaching.
Conclusion
There is no magic formula to get high scores in IELTS Reading; it requires practice and technique. You should familiarize yourself with the test format, scan, expect paraphrasing, manage time, and analyze mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: Learn the test format, spot paraphrasing in the passage, and take a full 60-minute timed test every week. Review every wrong answer in an error log and work on your two weakest question types first.
A: The IELTS Reading test has 40 questions on three passages, and you get 60 minutes to finish. There is no extra time to transfer answers. It comes in Academic and General Training versions.
A: You need about 30 out of 40 in Academic Reading and about 34 out of 40 in General Training. General Training needs more correct answers because its passages are easier.
A: For Band 8 in IELTS Reading, you can miss only about 5 questions. Focus on True/False/Not Given and matching headings, since these are where high scorers usually lose marks.
A: Spend about 17 minutes on Passage 1, 20 minutes on Passage 2 and 23 minutes on Passage 3. If a question takes more than 60 seconds, mark it and move on. Keep the last 2 to 3 minutes to fill empty boxes.
A: Skimming means reading quickly for the main idea, using the title, topic sentences and last paragraph. Scanning means searching quickly for specific details like names, dates and numbers without reading every line.
A: Not Given means the passage says nothing about the statement. True means the passage agrees, and False means it says the opposite. Always answer from the passage, not from your own knowledge.
A: No, there is no negative marking in IELTS Reading. Always guess instead of leaving a blank. Wrong spelling and answers over the word limit are marked wrong, so check both.
A: Stop translating each sentence into your first language, such as Malayalam, in your head. Read in chunks of 3 to 4 words at a glance, and keep understanding ahead of speed.
A: Yes, with a weekly plan. Learn the format and skimming in week 1, question types in week 2, full timed tests in week 3, and mock tests under exam conditions in week 4.
A: Tiju's Academy teaches reading through Read Savvy sessions, explains all 40 questions in the 40in60 programme, and offers unlimited mock tests through Testfinity. Classes run in Mavelikara, Thiruvalla and online.
