Find all the basic information you need to know about the IELTS Reading test.

On this page you’ll discover:

• The format of the test
• Question types
• The marking system
• Skills assessed

• Success strategies
• Key reading skills
• How to complete the answer sheet
• Which test to choose – Academic or General

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The Format of the IELTS Reading Test

Timing: 60 minutes

Number of questions: 40

Reading texts:

There are two versions of the Reading test – Academic and General. The difference between them is in the length and type of texts. Each has three sections.

Usually, the first section will be the easiest and the last one the hardest.

Here is an outline of types of text for each test.

Academic Reading Texts

The 3 sections each contain one long text taken from real publications such as:

• books
• newspapers
• magazines
• journals

The texts will be of general interest and may contain non-verbal material such as:

• diagrams
• illustrations
• graphs

A glossary will be provided if the text contains technical terms.

The texts are on academic topics of general interest and have been written for a non-specialist audience.