The Challenge of IELTS Reading
IELTS Reading gives you 3 long passages with 40 questions — and only 60 minutes. That's about 1.5 minutes per question. You don't have time to read every word.
The solution? Skimming and scanning — two techniques that help you find answers quickly.
What Is Skimming?
Skimming is reading quickly to get the general idea. You don't read every word — you look at:
When to use skimming: At the beginning of each passage (2-3 minutes)
Example: A passage about climate change. You skim and see: "global warming", "carbon emissions", "renewable energy", "government policies". Now you know the general topic.
What Is Scanning?
Scanning is looking for specific information. You move your eyes quickly across the text looking for:
When to use scanning: When answering specific questions
Example: Question asks "When was the policy introduced?" You scan for years (2015, 2018, 2020) and find the answer.
Time Management Strategy
Passage 1 (15 minutes):
Passage 2 (20 minutes):
Passage 3 (25 minutes):
Key rule: Don't spend more than 2 minutes on any single question. If stuck, guess and move on.
How to Skim Effectively
Step 1: Read the title (10 seconds)
Step 2: Read the first paragraph (30 seconds)
Step 3: Read the first sentence of each remaining paragraph (1-2 minutes)
Step 4: Read the conclusion or last paragraph (30 seconds)
Total time: 2-3 minutes
What you now know: The main topic, structure, and general argument
How to Scan Effectively
Step 1: Read the question and identify the keyword
Step 2: Move your eyes down the passage looking for that keyword or its synonym
Step 3: When you find it, read the sentence around it
Step 4: Identify the answer
Example:
Question: "What percentage of students passed the exam?"
Keyword: "percentage" or "%"
Scan for: Numbers with % sign
Common Skimming/Scanning Mistakes
- Reading every word — You don't have time
- Starting with questions — Skim the passage first for context
- Looking for exact words — IELTS uses synonyms (paraphrasing)
- Spending too long on one question — Move on and come back
- Not practicing speed — These skills improve with practice
Daily Practice
10 minutes daily:
After 2-3 weeks, your speed will improve dramatically.
Practice on Our Portal
Our IELTS Practice Portal at ielts.bharatdn.com has timed Reading sections that simulate real exam conditions. Practice daily for best results.
🎯 Practice What You Learned
Put these tips into action with our student practice portals:
All nine portals need a login we approve: IELTS and PTE are for enrolled students, while Grammar, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Korean and Mandarin are open to everyone. Daily practice is what actually moves a score, so use them as often as you can and keep track of your own mock results.
📍 Visit Step Ahead Institute
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