IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks | How I got a band 8.5

Summary

In this video, Asiya shares her strategies for achieving a high score in the IELTS Reading section, following her experience with both paper-based and computer-based exams. She emphasizes the importance of time management, suggests answering questions in order, and highlights the convenience of computer-based exams. Asiya also discusses reading comprehension techniques, such as focusing on keywords and ignoring irrelevant information, and recommends her separate videos on specific question types and strategies for IELTS Writing and Speaking.

Takeaways

• 📘 Asiya shares her experience and strategies for achieving a high score in IELTS Reading after taking the computer-based exam in London.
• ⏰ The IELTS Reading section consists of 40 questions to be completed in 60 minutes, with three longer passages in the Academic module and five shorter ones in the General Training module.
• 🔍 Time management is crucial; the first passage is typically easier, and the last is more difficult, so allocate time accordingly.
• 🚀 Asiya recommends finishing the first passage in 15 minutes, the second in 20, and the third in 25 to manage time effectively.
• 🚫 If a question is not immediately answerable, mark it for review and move on to maximize the chance of attempting all questions.
• ✍️ In a paper-based exam, answers are marked on the question paper and then transferred, while in a computer-based exam, answers are selected directly on the screen, saving time.
• 🖥️ Asiya found the computer-based exam more convenient due to the large screen, direct answer selection, and visible time remaining.
• 📚 She suggests a strategy of reading the first question and then skimming the text for answers, rather than reading the entire passage first.
• 🔑 Pay attention to keywords in the questions and look for their synonyms or paraphrases in the passage to locate answers.
• 📝 Highlight important names, dates, and places in the text to quickly locate them for questions, using a pencil in a paper-based exam or the highlight function in a computer-based exam.
• 🤔 Don't spend too much time on any single question; if uncertain, mark it for review and revisit it if time permits.
• 📈 Asiya has created separate videos discussing the differences between paper-based and computer-based exams, as well as strategies for specific question types like True/False/Not Given and Matching Headings.

Q & A

What type of IELTS exam did Asiya take in London?

Asiya took a computer-based IELTS exam in London.

What was Asiya's IELTS score in the previous year when she took a paper-based exam?

Asiya scored an eight in the paper-based IELTS exam the previous year.

What is the format of the IELTS Reading exam according to Asiya's explanation?

The IELTS Reading exam format includes 40 questions to be completed in 60 minutes, with three longer passages in the Academic module and five shorter passages in the General Training module.

How many questions does one need to answer correctly to achieve a band seven in the IELTS Reading exam?

To achieve a band seven, one needs to answer 30 questions correctly in the Academic module and 34 questions in the General Training module.

Why is time management important in the IELTS Reading exam?

Time management is important because there is a lot to read and finding answers takes time, with the exam containing 40 questions to be completed within a limited 60 minutes.

What strategy does Asiya recommend for managing time during the IELTS Reading exam?

Asiya recommends finishing the first passage in about 15 minutes, the second in 20 minutes, and the third in 25 minutes, and not spending too much time on questions that are difficult to answer initially.

What is the difference between answering questions on a paper-based and a computer-based IELTS exam according to Asiya?

In a paper-based exam, answers are marked on question sheets without extra time for transferring answers, whereas in a computer-based exam, answers are chosen directly on the screen, and there is no need to transfer them anywhere.

What is Asiya's preferred strategy for answering IELTS Reading questions?

Asiya prefers to read the first question, then quickly read the text without focusing on details, and slow down to carefully read sentences when she thinks the answer might be there.

How does Asiya handle questions that are not in order in the IELTS Reading exam?

For question types that are not in order, such as matching paragraphs or headings, Asiya adapts her strategy and does not follow the simple question-passage order method.

What advice does Asiya give for dealing with complex topics and unknown words in the IELTS Reading exam?

Asiya advises to pay attention to keywords, look for their synonyms in the passage, and ignore irrelevant information to focus on the parts that likely contain the answer.

How can examinees highlight important information during a computer-based IELTS exam?

In a computer-based exam, there is a function to highlight words or phrases in yellow by pressing the right button on the mouse and clicking 'highlight'.

What does Asiya suggest doing if you're unsure about an answer during the IELTS Reading exam?

Asiya suggests marking the question to review later, moving on, and returning to it if time permits after attempting to answer all questions.

What resources does Asiya offer to help with specific question types in the IELTS Reading exam?

Asiya has separate videos discussing strategies for different question types, such as true/false/not given and matching headings, which are linked in the video description.

What is the main tip Asiya gives for approaching the IELTS Reading exam?

Asiya's main tip is to have a clear strategy for solving each type of question before taking the exam, which helps save time and ensures a more effective approach.

Outlines

00:00

📚 IELTS Reading Strategies and Exam Tips

Asiya shares her experience with the computer-based IELTS exam in London and compares it with the paper-based version she took previously. She emphasizes the importance of time management in the 60-minute Reading section, which includes 40 questions across three passages in the Academic module and five in the General Training module. Asiya suggests starting with the easiest passage first and not spending too much time on questions that are difficult to answer initially. She also discusses the process of answering and transferring answers in both exam formats, highlighting the convenience of the computer-based exam. Asiya recommends attempting all questions for the best chance at a high score and shares her strategy of answering questions by quickly reading the text and focusing on keywords.

05:02

🔍 Mastering IELTS Reading: Strategies and Complex Topics

In this paragraph, Asiya discusses her strategy for tackling IELTS reading questions, which involves reading the first question and then quickly scanning the text for answers without getting bogged down by details or unknown words. She explains that most questions follow the order of the passage, allowing for an efficient question-answer approach. However, she notes that some question types, like matching paragraphs or headings, do not follow this order. Asiya also talks about dealing with complex topics and unknown words by focusing on keywords and their synonyms in the text. She advises ignoring irrelevant information and using context clues to make educated guesses. Additionally, she mentions the use of highlighting tools in both paper-based and computer-based exams to mark important information quickly. Asiya wraps up by stressing the importance of not spending too much time on any single question and having a strategy for each question type before taking the exam.

Keywords

💡IELTS

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, which is a globally recognized test for non-native English speakers to demonstrate their English language proficiency. In the video, the speaker shares her experience and strategies for achieving a high score in the IELTS Reading section, making it a central theme of the video.

💡Computer-based IELTS exam

This refers to the digital format of the IELTS exam where candidates take the test on a computer, which contrasts with the traditional paper-based format. The speaker mentions her recent experience with this format in London and compares it with the paper-based exam throughout the script.

💡Time management

Time management is a crucial skill in the IELTS Reading section, as candidates have a limited time to complete a set of questions. The video emphasizes the importance of this skill, with the speaker suggesting strategies to allocate time effectively for each passage and question type.

💡Passages

In the context of the IELTS Reading section, 'passages' refers to the texts that candidates must read and answer questions about. The video mentions that the Academic module includes three longer passages, while the General Training module has five shorter ones, each with different topics and levels of complexity.

💡Question types

IELTS Reading involves various question types, such as multiple-choice, matching, and true/false/not given. The speaker discusses different strategies for these types, indicating that some follow the order of the passage while others do not, which is essential for efficient test-taking.

💡Keywords

Keywords are significant words in a question that help candidates locate the relevant information in the passage. The video script advises highlighting these in the question and looking for their synonyms or paraphrased forms in the text, which is a strategy for effective reading and answering.

💡Paraphrase

Paraphrase refers to the act of expressing the same idea using different words. In the context of IELTS Reading, it is important to recognize paraphrased keywords in the passage as the exact wording from the question is rarely found in the text, as mentioned in the script.

💡Irrelevant information

The script mentions the need to ignore irrelevant information in the passage that may confuse candidates. This concept is important for maintaining focus on the key details necessary to answer the questions accurately and efficiently.

💡Highlighting

Highlighting is a technique used to mark important words or phrases in the text for easy reference. The video describes how to use this technique in both paper-based and computer-based exams, emphasizing its utility for locating information quickly.

💡True/False/Not Given

This is a specific question type in IELTS Reading where candidates must determine if a statement is true, false, or not given based on the information in the passage. The speaker mentions having researched and created separate videos on this type, indicating its complexity and the need for a strategic approach.

💡Matching headings

Matching headings is another question type where candidates match titles or headings to the appropriate paragraphs in the passage. The script notes that this type of question does not follow the order of the passage, requiring a different strategy for answering.

Highlights

Asiya shares her tips and strategies for achieving a high score in the IELTS Reading section.

Comparison between paper-based and computer-based IELTS exams, with Asiya's personal preference for the latter.

IELTS Reading exam format explained, including the number of questions and time limit.

Strategies for time management during the IELTS Reading exam, emphasizing the difficulty progression of passages.

Advice on not spending too much time on a single question and the importance of attempting all questions.

Differences in answer marking between paper-based and computer-based exams, with a focus on time efficiency.

Asiya's experience witnessing a candidate running out of time to transfer answers in a paper-based exam.

Convenience of computer-based exams in terms of answer selection and time visibility.

Personal strategy for IELTS Reading: reading the first question and then quickly scanning the text for answers.

Explanation of why reading the entire passage first is not effective for everyone.

The importance of following the order of questions in the passage for most question types.

Research on question types that follow the order of the passage and those that do not.

Navigating complex topics and unknown words by focusing on keywords and their synonyms in the passage.

Techniques for ignoring irrelevant information and focusing on the parts of the sentence that matter for the answer.

Highlighting key information such as names, dates, and theories for quick location during the exam.

Differences in highlighting methods between paper-based and computer-based exams.

Asiya's approach to reviewing uncertain answers and contemplating them after completing all questions.

Research and strategies for difficult question types like True/False/Not Given and Matching Headings.

Emphasis on knowing one's strategy for each question type before the exam to save time.

Upcoming videos on IELTS Writing and Speaking sections, with links in the video description.

Transcripts

Hi there! It's Asiya and recently I've taken a computer-based IELTS exam in

London. Here is my result. Last year I took a

paper-based exam and got an eight, and in this video I want to share my tips and

strategies on how to get a high score in IELTS Reading. I've also made videos

about how to choose between a paper-based or a computer-based exam and

my tips on IELTS Listening. Videos about Writing and Speaking sections are coming

soon. Okay, let's get started!

what's exam format well you get 40 questions and 60 minutes to complete

them in IELTS academic you get three longer passages and IELTS general

training five shorter passages in an academic topic some more scientific and

you need to answer 30 questions in order to get a band seven and in general

training topics a bit simpler but you'll be expected to answer 34 questions in

order to get a 7 expect to be short of time in IELTS reading basically you have

a lot to read and then looking for questions takes a lot of time so time

management is important usually the first passage is the easiest and the

last one is the most difficult so the instructions in arts academic for

example tell you to spend 20 minutes on each section but you should finish the

first one in about 15 minutes 20 for the second and 25 for the third but ideally

you need to go through the questions even more quickly basically when you

find a question and you don't know what the answer is you can't find an answer

don't spend too much time on this question just market like to review and

move on and once you finish all the questions if you have time then you go

back and you'll be looking for answers to those questions but you get yourself

the best chance to get the highest mark if you attempt to answer all the

questions in a paper-based reading you'll be marking your answers on the

question sheets first but then you're not gonna get extra time to transfer

your answers event you must finish everything in 60 minutes so what I

usually do is I answer a certain section like a type of questions and then I

transfer answers then the next type of question just for my answers and so on

I don't leave it until the end what if you run out of time before you

do that imagine I saw that happen in the exam I took last year and a girl was

transferring her answers and she ran out of time

she continued doing that and the invigilator came up and just crossed out

another five-seven answers at the end imagine she just lost like seven scores

like that just because she didn't do it before so don't leave it until the last

moment in a computer-based exam you just choose your answers on the screen you

don't need to transfer them anywhere I would say you save a bit of time

comparing between the paper based on computer based exams I think it was

easier and more convenient to do the reading questions on the computer I had

a large screen I could see almost all the text without scrolling questions

were on the same screen on the other side I could choose answers directly I

didn't need to transfer answers anywhere and I could see time left so I would say

it's more convenient I actually have a separate video where I discussed all the

differences between the paper-based and computer-based exams and you can watch

it in order to decide which exam is better for you what's the best strategy

for IELTS reading well some people prefer to read the whole passage first

and then they answer questions usually of those people read fast and memorize

information well I try this approach it doesn't quite work for me because by the

time I start answering questions I've already forgotten what I've read and

they need to go and look for the sentence in order to locate my answer so

I just waste a lot of time so usually I read the first question and then I start

quickly reading the text not paying attention to any detail we have unknown

words and when he feels it okay but they also somewhere here I slow down I

carefully read the sentence if I need a really did it's fine and icky the answer

are read the second question a resume reading the text and so on this strategy

allows me to finish my reading section much more quickly do all questions

follow the passage order or most do that's why it is possible to read the

question find an answer read the second question find an answer and so on and

it's much more quickly than to read the whole text and then look for all the

answers but of course some question types are not in order for example

matching paragraphs or matching headings otherwise it would be a first paragraph

being second paragraph see third paragraph like no of course not and I

did some research into which question types come in order and which don't and

I have a separate video which you can watch here let's move on to the next

point it's reading cows complex topics and most likely there will be things you

won't understand there will be words you don't know you need to navigate your way

through this complexity in a way to do that is to pay attention to keywords

once you read the question really try to understand what they mean and what are

the key words in this question highlight them or underline them and then look for

those keywords for their synonyms in the passage you will never find exactly the

same keywords in the question and in the in the sentence where you find an answer

there will always be paraphrased so look for that paraphrase and when you find a

sentence and you feel that the answer is somewhere here but you can't understand

everything try to simply guess how different parts of the sentence are

related to each other what they're talking about in general because most

likely the thing you can't understand is irrelevant and your answer doesn't

handle it at all it's just there to confuse you so try to ignore irrelevant

information and choose the bits of information you really mean it and now

the tables highlight any names surnames dates names of theories names of places

most likely there will be questions about them and you'll be able to locate

them in the text very quickly how can you highlight them well in a

paper based exam you use a pencil you simply underline words in a

computer-based exam there is a function to highlight words or phrases in yellow

you press the right button on your mouse and you click highlight and that's it

and let me repeat again don't waste too much time on any single question in my

exam I marked probably five questions to review those were the questions where I

was not quite certain if my answer is correct and then when I finished all the

questions I still had time so I could come back look for answers read

contemplate because I knew that I've done the best I could do for all other

questions some questions and I was reading a particularly tricky for

example true false not given yes no not given and matching headings I did my

research into both types and it published separate videos about them I'm

going to link them and in my exam I used the exact strategies I told you about in

those videos and I could feel that they were really helpful because as soon as I

saw a certain type of question I knew exactly what I'm gonna do I didn't think

about should they read the text first or should I do that I knew what I'm gonna

do and it was helpful it saved me time and I think you need to figure out your

way of solving each type of question before you take your reasoning them so

these were my tips on IELTS reading hopefully you found them helpful and

published videos about IELTS writing and speaking soon all the videos I've

mentioned in this video are gonna be linked in the video description box

below thank you for watching me today good luck with your preparation and your

exam bye