Most IELTS test-takers believe it is difficult for non-native English speakers to score 9.0 in the Reading section. That is not always the case. The primary goal of the IELTS Reading Tips is to evaluate your understanding of what you have read. As a result, with some practice and training, even if you don’t know the meaning of some phrases, you can understand them contextually to get a band 9.0!

It’s absurd that most test-takers score poorly not because they lack information but because they make simple errors! This is why we at Chhundu Training Institute (CTI) have included IELTS Reading Tips in this blog that will assist you in achieving a band 9.0.

This blog includes:

• Read As Much as You Can
• Pay Close Attention to the Instructions
• You Don’t Have to Understand All the Words
• Stay Calm
• Remember that it’s a Vocabulary Test
• Be Mindful of the Time Constraint
• Disregard Prior Knowledge of a Given Topic
• Practice Wisely
• Work on Transferring Your Responses
• Don’t Leave Anything Blank 
• Final Thoughts

IELTS Reading Tips 1: Read As Much as You Can

Without a doubt, this is the most practical IELTS reading tip to score a band of 9.0. It is critical to work on your reading skills by reading as much English material as possible. But don’t forget that it is also crucial to familiarize yourself with the IELTS reading test and IELTS reading tips.

Students who only practice the IELTS reading test format and work on reading skills have a better chance to develop their general reading skills.

You can choose a topic that interests you and can increase your likelihood of reading frequently. 

Reading for enjoyment will help you become more literate in English and expand your vocabulary. So, get your hands on any English articles to hone your reading skills. 

IELTS Reading Tips 2: Pay Close Attention to the Instructions

Test takers lose many points because they don’t follow the instructions carefully. It is particularly true for the reading tests because of their detailed directions. You will answer the question incorrectly if you don’t strictly adhere to these directions.

It might say, for instance, “Write two words and/or a number.” A number still counts even if it is written as a word. For example, twenty-five is the same as 25. You will lose a mark if you don’t follow the directions carefully.

IELTS Reading Tips 3: You Don’t Have to Understand All the Words

Many test takers believe they should check up on any words in a dictionary that they don’t understand. 

The underlying principle is sound—having a large vocabulary is essential for performing well on the IELTS test, but stressing over all the words you don’t understand during the test is one of the worst things you can do.

There are two options available if a word in the reading test is unclear: either you look at the words and sentences around for hints as to what they imply, or you go on and ignore them. 

You don’t need to understand all the words! All of the terms in the reading test would be difficult for even native speakers to understand, including many IELTS teachers.

So, skip the words you don’t understand and focus on the ones relevant to the inquiry.

IELTS Reading Tips 4: Stay Calm

There will be some easy and some challenging questions. When answering a challenging question, the key is to remain calm. Some questions are so difficult, that nearly every IELTS teacher we know double-checks the answers.

Spending too much time on one topic while not giving the other questions enough attention is the wrong strategy. Continue to the next if you don’t know the answer. You can always come back to the challenging questions later.

You must manage your nerves and time to perform well on the reading test. 

Accepting that you probably won’t have all the right answers can help you manage your time and emotions. 

IELTS Reading Tips 5: Remember that it’s a Vocabulary Test

The reading test resembles a vocabulary test in many aspects, more than a reading test. They will test your vocabulary range using synonyms and paraphrasing sentences. Reading as much as possible is the easiest way to increase your vocabulary. 

It is more useful to observe words in context rather than memorizing word lists. Try to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words by looking at the context. After doing that, you should check the meaning. 

The next step is to enter each new word, meaning, example, pronunciation, and collocation into a dedicated IELTS vocabulary notebook. Discover what makes it easier to recall the terminology, and then try using it in sentences.

IELTS Reading Tips 6: Be Mindful of the Time Constraint

Spending too much time on one question will cut your time for the remaining questions.

The best way to finish your IELTS reading test on time is by completing each section in 20 minutes. It takes roughly 16–17 minutes to read and respond to the questions and 3–4 minutes to transfer and double-check your responses. However, you can divide the time based on the difficulty of the questions.

When practicing, you ought to pay close attention to which questions require more time and which require less. This will assure you to take a bit more time on some questions and stop stressing out throughout the exam.

IELTS Reading Tips 7: Disregard Prior Knowledge of a Given Topic

Remember that you are only being tested on your comprehension of the material; your prior knowledge of the subject should not affect your responses.

If you encounter a topic you know, be extra careful while reading the text. Don’t answer the questions based on your prior knowledge; instead, focus on what is given in the text. 

Don’t base your decisions on what you already know. We are sure you might have a degree, master’s, or even a Ph.D. and know a lot, but it doesn’t work that way regarding the IELTS test. The test doesn’t focus on your knowledge but on your English comprehension skills.

IELTS Reading Tips 8: Practice Wisely

You don’t always have to complete your IELTS reading sample question on time “while practicing.” 

Don’t just do it under real exam-like circumstances from the start. By taking the test under exam-like circumstances, you don’t give yourself enough time to think about how to respond to particular question types and identify question patterns and your responses. 

It also prevents you from having a chance to consider your errors. So, pay attention to your errors, determine why you were incorrect, and then make improvements. 

When you consider all these parameters, you can try an exam-like setting. Take a sample reading test paper and keep track of time. Set a timer, follow along, and track how much time you spend on each question. Find what’s working and what’s not, and work more on your weaknesses! 

If you feel you need professional help, visit Chhundu Training Institute for IELTS coaching classes and mock exams. 

IELTS Reading Tips 9: Work on Transferring Your Responses

You have to write your answer on an answer sheet during the test. It’s better to time yourselves while practicing with an IELTS answer sheet to determine how quickly you can translate your responses. 

Don’t spend too much time reading and responding to questions because you will not have enough time to transfer your answers to the sheet.

IELTS Reading Tips 10: Don’t Leave Anything Blank 

Even though it may appear to be one of the most obvious IELTS reading tips, you would be surprised at how many candidates leave their answer sheet blank.

Try your best on every question, even if you don’t know the answers. You have nothing to lose! 

Follow our 10 IELTS reading tips so you can secure a band score of 9.0! 

However, one of the most important IELTS reading tips is that reading practice is equally important for success in the IELTS Reading section. Still, feeling unsure? Read 13 effective IELTS reading tips and tricks to help you score high to know more!