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The IELTS Academic Reading test is divided into three sections. Each section is more difficult than the one before. Each reading passage is between 700 and 1000 words long. There are between 38 and 42 questions. You are given 60 minutes to complete this task. As you can see there is no much time to think about the answer for each question reading the passage again and again. Then how to get the maximum possible score in reading part?

1. Don’t spend too much time on each question. Remember, not more than 1 minute per question. If you can’t find the answer to a particular question within this time, go to the next question. It’s better to get more points answering simple questions than spend the same time answering one question.
2. Read the question carefully. Don’t make careless mistake by giving “what is false” answer to “what is true” question.
3. Give only one answer when asked to give one answer. Don’t work too hard giving two examples when you need to provide only one.
4. Be careful about your spelling while giving the answers! Even though it’s a reading part, spelling is also evaluated.
5. If the question requires knowing what the whole passage is about, don’t figure out the answer by reading the entire passage in detail. Practice skimming techniques – look for the general information in the first and last lines of each paragraph.
6. Pay attention to key words in each question - the answer will most probably contain the same key words.
7. Skip difficult words and phrases. Often it’s not necessary to understand difficult words and phrases to answer a question.
8. When you encounter a vocabulary question, don’t fully rely on your own knowledge of this word. The question is about the usage of this word in the given context. Go back to the location of this word in the passage and make sure that the definition fits the context.
9. The test makers will try to confuse you by including true statements in the answer choices. Remember only one answer choice can be the correct answer. So stay focused and choose the answer that directly answers the question.
10. Sometimes it will be easier for you to get the answer if you first try to predict the answer (after reading the question.) Scan the answer choices and check if your prediction is in the listed answers.