The Reading section of the IELTS Academic format can be daunting for many candidates, particularly for those who are not accustomed to sustained reading. However, with the right approach, improvement is always possible. Our IELTS experts have shared these practical tips to help you tackle the IELTS Reading section and achieve a higher band score:
1. Develop a Habit of Reading - Your brain needs to become accustomed to reading long texts without getting fatigued. This skill takes time to develop, and it cannot be mastered in a few days or weeks. Start by reading books outside of your academic curriculum, beginning with simpler content and gradually progressing to more complex texts. Choose reading material that aligns with your interests, as this will help keep your focus and motivation high. Extensive reading is crucial to building the stamina needed for the IELTS Academic Reading section.
2. Build Your Vocabulary Bank - A strong vocabulary is essential for understanding IELTS Reading passages. Without a solid vocabulary, you might struggle to fully comprehend the text or misinterpret key information. Make it a habit to enrich your vocabulary by learning new words daily and focusing on synonyms. This will enhance your ability to understand the Reading passages more accurately and will improve your performance in both the Academic and General Training IELTS formats.
3. Read the Passage First - Many candidates prefer to read the questions first, but our IELTS experts recommend reading the passage first. This helps you to fully comprehend the text and understand the overall context before looking for answers. Skipping this step may lead to focusing more on finding answers than on understanding the text itself, which could result in incorrect responses. By reading the passage first, you'll improve both your reading comprehension and your overall accuracy in answering questions.
4. Keywords – The Key to Success -Keywords can be helpful for finding answers, but they can also be counterproductive. While keywords may guide you to the correct information in the passage, the IELTS Reading questions typically do not provide word-for-word information. Understanding synonyms and having a strong grasp of paraphrasing is essential for identifying the correct answers. Expanding your ability to recognize synonyms will give you a significant advantage in the IELTS Reading section.
5. Focus on Accuracy, Not Quantity - In the IELTS exam, accuracy is more important than the number of questions answered. You will receive marks for the number of correct answers, not the total number of attempts. Even if you attempt all 40 questions but only get 10 correct, your score will be low. However, if you attempt 30 questions and get 27 correct, you will earn a much higher band score. Focus on accuracy to ensure a better result in the IELTS Reading section.
6. Build Speed During Preparation - Speed is crucial in the IELTS Reading test, as you only have 60 minutes to complete all the questions. If your reading speed is slow, it is essential to dedicate at least four weeks during your preparation to improving this skill. Work on techniques like skimming and scanning to boost your reading speed and help you finish the test within the allotted time frame.
We will continue with more IELTS Reading Section tips in our next article.
At Caddmus, we have helped hundreds of candidates improve their scores in the IELTS Reading section, even those who were initially struggling to meet the minimum required band scores. After attending our IELTS preparation classes, many of them achieved far higher scores than expected on their first attempt.
Call us on +91-9888-863-489 to join our IELTS Academic or IELTS 8777 preparation courses and start improving your IELTS band score today!
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