IELTS Reading Timing and Question Types
Master IELTS Reading in 60 minutes: 20-20-20 timing, question-type tactics, skimming vs scanning, and Academic vs General Training differences.
The 20-20-20 timing plan
You have 60 minutes for 40 questions across three passages, with no extra transfer time on paper or computer. A reliable default is 20 minutes per passage, including the seconds you spend transferring or typing answers. Treat that number as a checkpoint, not a hard wall - if Passage 3 is denser for you, steal two or three minutes from Passage 1 rather than rushing your final answer check.
Most candidates lose marks not because they cannot understand the text, but because they run out of time on the last five questions. Build the habit of glancing at a clock or the on-screen timer at the end of each passage, and decide in advance which question types you will sacrifice speed on and which you will answer fast.
- 1Minutes 0-2 - PreviewSkim titles, headings and question types before reading in depth. Mark which set needs detailed reading (matching headings, matching information) versus scanning (short-answer, sentence completion, multiple choice).
- 2Minutes 2-18 - Passage attackAnswer in question order unless a type clearly needs the whole text first. Matching headings and matching paragraph information usually reward a full paragraph read before you choose.
- 3Last 2 minutes - Guess smartNever leave blanks on computer-delivered IELTS. Eliminate obviously wrong options, then pick the most likely answer and move to the next passage.
Question types and how to approach them
IELTS Reading recycles a fixed set of question formats across every test. Learning the trap pattern for each type is worth more than reading faster in general, because most wrong answers come from a mismatch between question logic and reading strategy, not from vocabulary you have never seen.
| Type | Core skill | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Exact meaning vs paraphrase | Using outside knowledge; confusing False with Not Given |
| Matching headings | Paragraph purpose, not detail | Matching a repeated word instead of the main idea |
| Summary / note / table completion | Synonyms + grammar fit | Writing more words than the limit allows |
| Multiple choice | Locate, then compare all options | Choosing the option that appears first in the text |
| Matching features / names | Attribute the correct claim to the correct person | Mixing up two similar names mentioned nearby |
| Short-answer questions | Exact word limit, exact wording from text | Paraphrasing the answer instead of lifting the exact word |
- Underline limiting words in the question stem (always / only / mainly / never).
- Expect synonyms: "decline" in the question may appear as "fall / drop / reduction" in the text.
- For Not Given, the text is silent on the point - do not invent a logical bridge that feels reasonable.
- For summary completion, check the word count instruction before every gap, not just once.
Skimming vs scanning: use the right one at the right time
Skimming means reading fast for the general shape of a paragraph: topic, tone, and how ideas connect. Scanning means hunting for a specific word, number or name without reading every sentence. Candidates who apply skimming to a short-answer question waste time reading detail they do not need; candidates who scan for matching headings often pick a paragraph that mentions the right word in the wrong context.
Whole-idea questions
Use skimming
Matching headings, matching information, and questions that ask what a paragraph is mainly about.
- •Read topic sentences first
- •Note the shift between paragraphs
- •Ignore small details on the first pass
Locate-and-check questions
Use scanning
Short-answer, sentence completion, multiple choice and True/False/Not Given.
- •Search for names, numbers, capitalised words
- •Read only the sentence around the match
- •Confirm meaning before committing
Academic vs General Training Reading
Academic Reading uses three long, dense texts drawn from books, academic journals and quality newspapers, often on unfamiliar subjects. General Training splits the hour differently: Sections 1 and 2 are shorter workplace and everyday texts (notices, advertisements, staff handbooks), while Section 3 is a single longer passage closer to Academic difficulty.
Academic
Three long, dense texts from books, journals and newspapers.
- •Heavier vocabulary load throughout
- •Same 40 questions / 60 minutes
- •Different raw-to-band conversion table
General Training
Sections 1-2 everyday/workplace texts; Section 3 one longer passage.
- •Faster early sections if you scan well
- •Still needs synonym skill for Section 3
- •Usually needs more correct answers for the same mid band
Time-wasters that quietly cost you marks
Several habits look harmless in the moment but add up to a lost passage by the end of the hour. Watch for these patterns in your own practice sessions and correct them one at a time rather than trying to fix everything in a single sitting.
- Reading the entire passage word-for-word before looking at any question.
- Re-reading a paragraph three or four times hoping the answer becomes obvious.
- Translating sentences mentally into your first language instead of reading for meaning directly.
- Changing an answer at the last second without new evidence from the text.
- Leaving the hardest question type until the very end of the whole test instead of the end of its own passage.
下一步練習
Frequently asked questions
Should I read the whole passage first?+
For matching headings, a quick paragraph skim helps because you need the main idea, not a detail. For locate-and-check questions, start from the questions and scan the text - reading everything first often wastes valuable minutes.
Is there transfer time in Reading?+
No. On both paper and computer delivery, the 60 minutes include writing or typing every answer. Build answer transfer into your 20-minute-per-passage habit rather than planning it separately.
How many questions can I get wrong for band 7?+
It depends on Academic vs General Training and the specific test's grading, but Academic candidates typically need around 30 correct out of 40 for band 7. Use the Score Calculator after every practice set to track your own pattern.
Does vocabulary size matter more than technique?+
Both matter, but technique closes the gap faster. Many band 6 readers already know enough words to reach band 7 - the missing piece is usually timing discipline and recognising traps, not a bigger vocabulary list.