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The International English Language Testing System, IELTS, is an international standardized test of English language proficiency. Here are some IELTS Reading Module FAQs.

FAQs for the IELTS Reading Module

 

  1. How many reading passages are there?

  • There are mostly three reading passages for the academic paper and the general training paper.

  1. Do General and Academic candidates take the same reading test?

  • No, the reading test is different for both academic and general training.

  1. What kind of reading passages are there for the academic paper?

  • Each passage in the academic reading paper is long. The passages are generally taken from books, magazines, and newspapers (they are authentic passages). They can often contain complicated language, academic vocabulary, and sometimes diagrams, maps, or some kind of illustration.

  1. What kind of passages are there for the general training paper?

  • The General Training Reading paper has three passages, it usually consists of general topics and a bit easier language than academic training.

  1. How many questions are there in the IELTS reading test?

  • There are 40 questions in total for your IELTS reading test.

  1. How are the scores calculated?

  • There is one point for each correct answer. You do not lose a point for an incorrect answer. The academic and general training papers have different scoring parameters.

  1. Do I lose a point if my answer is wrong?

  • No, you don’t lose a point for a wrong answer. So, never leave an empty space on your answer sheet. 

  1. Should I use a pen or pencil in the reading section?

  • Either of both is allowed in the exam, but we suggest you use a pencil in all three modules (reading, writing, and listening)

  1. Do I have time to transfer my answers at the end of the reading test?

    • No, there is no extra time given to transfer your answers. You must manage to finish it within 1 hour.
    • How long should I spend on each passage?
    • It is recommended that you spend around 14-15 minutes on the 1st and the 2nd passage so that you will have enough time to solve the third passage which generally is the hardest one. Make sure you keep your eyes on the clock to make sure you manage your time effectively. 
    • What types of questions will I get in IELTS reading?
    • There are many different types of questions and you must practice all of them. Go over the tutorials on IELTS reading question types and strategies on how to deal with them.

  1. Can I write on the reading question paper?

  • Yes, you can. You can make notes, underline words and write on any part of the question paper. Only your answer sheet will be marked, but make sure you transfer the answer correctly in your answer sheet.

  1. Are capital letters important?

  • Yes, they are. If it is a name, a place name, or a month, you will need to write a capital letter at the start of the word for the answer to be correct and it is recommended to write all your answers in UPPERCASE to avoid any confusion in the handwriting.

  1. Can I write all my answers in capital letters on my reading answer sheet?

  • Yes, you can. Sometimes this is a good idea because usually, your writing will be easier to read and also you avoid the problem with remembering to put capital letters at the beginning of proper nouns.

  1. Is spelling important?

  • Yes, it is, as if you have spelled it incorrectly, it will be marked wrong. So pay attention to your spelling of long academic words. It is advised to review the answer sheet at the end of the test.

  1. Can I write T instead of True for the True False Not Given questions?

  • No, you cannot, you must mention the full word, YES, NO, or NOT GIVEN / TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN.

  1. Do all answers come in order?

  • No, only some of the question types have answers which follow the order of information in the passage. You need to learn which ones do and don’t. For the following IELTS reading question types, the answers are usually(almost always) in order in the passage:
  • All types of gap-fill (sentences, summaries, diagrams, etc.)
  • True, false, not given
  • Yes, no, not given
  • Multiple choice
  • Matching sentence endings
  • ‘Short answer questions
  • However, answers to the following question types are never in order:
  • Matching paragraph headings
  • Which paragraph contains the information?
  • Matching names with statements or information

  1. How can I improve my reading skills?

  • Read academic articles on various topics – read the BBC news, the new scientist, the economist, etc.
  • practice – use the practice passages in my course to improve your techniques and skills
  • Practice tests – take practice tests to develop your concentration, test your timing, and know your band score. You should take your practice tests from the IELTS Cambridge books 1-14 because they are real past exam papers.

 

The easiest solution for above all the questions is to register yourself to our website: www.ieltsnpte.com and get a free demo, regular information, and material.