IELTS Reading: skimming, scanning and beating the clock
IELTS specialists — MUIC & Chulalongkorn University alumni, IELTS Speaking Band 9, IDP-certified.
IELTS Reading gives you 60 minutes for 40 questions across three passages, and in the Academic test there is no extra time to transfer answers — so pace is everything. Spend about 20 minutes per passage, skim first to map the structure, then scan for each answer using paraphrase rather than matching exact words. If a question stalls you, guess, mark it, and move on.
The clock: about 20 minutes per passage
Answers are worth one mark each and there's no bonus for the hardest question, so never overspend. Write answers straight onto the answer sheet as you go — in Academic Reading there's no separate transfer time.
Skim, then scan
- Skim (1–2 minutes): read the title, first line of each paragraph and any headings to build a mental map of where topics live.
- Scan: for each question, jump to the likely paragraph and read closely only there.
- Match meaning, not words: the answer usually paraphrases the question, so hunt synonyms.
Play the question types to your strengths
Questions that follow passage order (True/False/Not Given, sentence completion) let you move top-to-bottom. Whole-text tasks like matching headings or matching information are often faster done last, once you know the passage.
Protect your score under pressure
- Never leave a blank — there's no penalty for a wrong answer, so always guess.
- One stuck question must not cost you the next two; mark it and return if time allows.
- Watch the word limit on completion tasks (e.g. 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS').
Frequently asked questions
Is there transfer time in IELTS Reading?
Not in Academic Reading — you must write answers on the sheet within the 60 minutes. (Listening does give 10 minutes to transfer.)
Should I read the whole passage first?
No. Skim it quickly for structure, then scan for each answer. Reading every word closely wastes time you don't have.
How many correct answers is band 7?
Around 30 out of 40 on Academic Reading maps to band 7, though exact conversions vary slightly per test.
Put this into practice with instant AI band scoring and unlimited tests.