Test Format

• Familiarize yourself with the types of questions (e.g., multiple choice, true/false/not given, matching headings, summary completion, etc.).
• Practice reading academic texts similar to those in the test.

IELTS Reading Test Format: Detailed Overview

The IELTS Reading test lasts 60 minutes and comprises 40 questions divided across three sections. The format varies slightly between the Academic and General Training versions, reflecting the different purposes of the test.

1. Academic Reading Test Format

The Academic Reading test is designed for candidates pursuing higher education or professional registration. The passages are more formal and focus on academic and analytical content.

Texts

• Sources: Extracted from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers.
• Topics: Range from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical. Texts may include arguments or opinions.
• Complexity: The language and concepts are of a level suitable for university-level study or professional environments.
• Length: A total of about 2,150–2,750 words divided across three passages.
• Features: Graphs, charts, or illustrations may accompany the text.

2. General Training Reading Test Format

The General Training Reading test is suitable for candidates who are planning to work, train, or live in an English-speaking country. It assesses practical, everyday English comprehension skills.

Texts

• Sources: Extracted from advertisements, official documents, instruction manuals, notices, newspapers, and magazines.
• Topics: Reflect daily life, social needs, and workplace scenarios.
• Complexity: Texts are easier to understand in the first two sections but become more complex in the third section.
• Length: Similar to the Academic version, with about 2,150–2,750 words in total.

Structure of the Test

The Reading test has three sections with increasing difficulty:

Section 1

• General Training: Two or three short texts focused on everyday topics (e.g., advertisements, timetables, notices).
• Academic: A single, relatively straightforward text, often informational or factual.

Section 2

• General Training: Two short texts related to work contexts, such as training materials, job descriptions, or workplace policies.
• Academic: A single passage that is more descriptive or analytical.

Section 3

• General Training: One longer, more challenging text, often from newspapers, magazines, or books, featuring more complex ideas or arguments.
• Academic: One long and sophisticated text, often with an academic focus requiring in-depth comprehension.

Types of Questions

Both versions of the test include the following question types, though the contexts differ:

1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
   • Choose the correct answer(s) from a list of options.
2. True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given:
   • Determine whether statements agree with the text or identify the author’s opinions.
3. Matching Headings:
   • Match headings to paragraphs or sections of the text.
4. Sentence Completion:
   • Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the text.
5. Summary, Table, or Flowchart Completion:
   • Complete summaries or diagrams using information from the text.
6. Diagram Label Completion:
   • Identify and label parts of a diagram.
7. Matching Information:
   • Find specific details in the text to match with given options.
8. Matching Features:
   • Link features, such as people or theories, with information in the text.
9. Short Answer Questions:
   • Answer questions using a specific number of words or phrases (usually one to three).

Marking

• Scoring: Each correct answer earns one mark. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
• Band Score: Scores are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale.
  • Academic: Requires higher accuracy for higher bands (e.g., 30/40 for Band 7).
  • General Training: Slightly lower thresholds for each band compared to Academic.

Key Differences: Academic vs. General Training

By understanding the format in detail, you can better prepare for the IELTS Reading test and focus on the specific skills required for your chosen version.