When you take an IELTS test, you can open the doors to a world of opportunities to study or work abroad in an English speaking country. We’ve compiled a few handy guides to help you kickstart your IELTS preparation for each section of the test including Writing, Speaking and Listening. Find tips to prepare for the Reading section of IELTS below.   

What to expect from the Reading section

You will be given 60 minutes to complete the Reading section of your IELTS test. There are three sections with a variety of question formats that make adequate preparation essential to your success. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare before your IELTS test!

There are comprehension questions which require test takers to read a passage and note whether statements are true or false, or fill in the blanks where words are missing. You may also be asked to label a diagram or identify paragraphs in a passage. 

Get plenty of practice

Considering that you may receive a variety of question formats in the Reading section of your IELTS test, you can only benefit from plenty of practice. Preparation courses like IELTS Ready Premium feature more than 40 practice tests to help you get used to the format of the test. Use these tests to assess your current level of skill so you know how much time you need to set aside to study for the Reading section of IELTS. 

When you register for IELTS with the British Council, you can get free access to IELTS Ready Premium and all the practice tests right up until your test date. Your time to complete each question will be limited on test day so be sure to practice as often as possible. 

Time yourself

It is recommended that you spend 20 minutes on each of the three sections in the Reading section of the IELTS test. Keep this in mind when planning your study time and going through the practice tests. IELTS Ready Premium features a handy set of resources that you can use according to your skill level and the time you have available. 

You should also work on the time it takes you to read through new texts in English. The passages used in your IELTS test are excerpts from magazines, blogs, newspapers and reviews. Make sure you have enough time to read through the passages more than once when you’re answering the questions in your practice sessions and during the IELTS test. 

What to read for practice?

With a wealth of information available online, there is no shortage of reading material for anyone preparing to study or work in a country like Australia, Canada or the UK. If you are unsure of where to start, visit reputable publications like the BBC website or even the Cambridge University blog section.

IELTS Ready Premium will also give you plenty of helpful tips and exercises to prepare you for the Reading section of IELTS. If you’re looking for physical books to practice with, visit your local library or purchase a British Council recommended book -  Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2 here

Take the next step in your new adventure abroad and start preparing for IELTS today! Read more about IELTS Ready Premium here.