Tips to Increase IELTS Reading Speed, Effective Tips

Tips to Increase IELTS Reading Speed: Reading is an important skill assessed in the IELTS exam for non-English speakers. The IELTS Reading test is a time-bound assessment where candidates are provided a total of 60 minutes to cover three mandatory reading passages. Therefore, developing a good reading speed is crucial to completing the whole test within the given time frame. 

Moreover, developing a quick and effective reading speed is beneficial for candidates to manage time better, understand texts clearly, and answer more questions accurately. In this guide, we have covered some essential tips and strategies for international students to help them increase their IELTS reading speed and accuracy for a good IELTS band score. 

Free IELTS Reading Practice Tests, Cambridge Sample Test PDF

Tips to Increase IELTS Reading Speed

The reading speed in the IELTS test varies for different aspirants. Therefore, considering only a few specific tips and tricks can be challenging. Students must analyse their strengths and weaknesses carefully and develop individual strategies to improve their IELTS Reading speed. However, we have compiled a few significant tips to increase IELTS reading speed for candidates seeking migration, work opportunities, and study in popular English-speaking countries. 

Practice Word Grouping

Reading by proper segmentation of words and sentences can be beneficial for candidates who face difficulty in reading English. Word Chunking refers to the grouping of words (three to five words) together for reading proficiency. Using this technique can help individuals process more information in less time. Additionally, it reduces the overall time spent by the eye moving across the page. Reading smaller sections can also help aspirants to develop a better understanding of different sentence structures, 

Reduce the Habit of Rereading

Do not waste your valuable time by rereading the same sentences again and again. Rereading habits can slow down your reading speed to a great extent. Candidates are suggested to use a pen, finger, or other marking objects to mark the highlighting points. Do not use the same sentence twice even if you don’t understand. Try to read forward and use your own understanding to get an idea of the overall content. Students must note that limiting rereading will train their brains to retain information better and maintain momentum. 

Master Skimming and Scanning Techniques

Skimming and scanning are two important skills students must master while preparing for the IELTS reading test. These techniques can significantly increase your reading spread and help you locate and interpret the answers better for the IELTS reading passage. Skimming can help to understand the main idea of the passage whereas, scanning helps to locate specific words and information easily. Using these techniques for titles, headings, and repeated words can be beneficial as they signify important information. 

Expand Your Vocabulary

Familiarity with a large number of vocabulary is an important tips to increase IELTS reading speed. A limited vocabulary can slow down your reading speed and affect time management. To improve your reading speed, focus on learning new words regularly. Use a variety of sources such as newspapers, academic journals, and online articles to improve your IELTS vocabulary range. A strong vocabulary knowledge helps candidates read sentences easily and fluently. 

Get Comfortable with Various Text Types

The IELTS Reading section includes a variety of texts: descriptive, argumentative, and factual. Familiarize yourself with various types of content to get used to diverse sentence structures and vocabularies. This technique can eventually help you develop a quick reading speed for the IELTS Reading test. 

Take Timed Practice Tests

Appearing for the IELTS practice tests and reading mock tests is one of the effective ways to improve the overall reading speed for the test. Candidates attempting multiple mock tests and sample question papers within a definite time limit can experience a real-life exam environment and learn time management for covering the IELTS reading passages. Meanwhile, this will help them better understand the questions and passages. 

Also Read:

• Should You Use All Capital Letters in the IELTS Listening and Reading Tests
• IELTS Reading Mistakes
• How to Improve IELTS Reading Score
• How to Manage Time in IELTS Reading

Guidance of PW IELTS

Physics Wallah offers multiple online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the IELTS pages to better prepare for the exam.