Guide · Reading

Reading at 8.5–9

Reading is not about reading speed, but about accuracy. We break down the logic of each question type so you stop second-guessing yourself.

Who it's for

You run out of time on the third passage
You confuse False and Not Given
Matching headings takes you half the test

What's inside

How many mistakes you can afford at band 8, 8.5 and 9
Timing: 17–20–23 minutes and the 90-second rule
How to read the passage without re-reading it three times
True / False / Not Given and Yes / No / Not Given: a three-question algorithm
Matching headings, matching information, matching features
Summary, sentence and table completion without grammar traps
Walkthrough using our own practice passage
Error analysis method and paraphrase bank

Free excerpt

IELTS Reading at 8.5–9: Accuracy, Timing and Answer Logic

In Academic Reading there are three passages totalling around 2,500–2,800 words and 40 questions in 60 minutes. The passages are taken from general-interest academic sources and are written for the non-specialist: you do not need to know biology or economics, you need to understand precisely what is stated and what is not.

Candidates at band 7 usually think they lack speed. In fact, they more often lack method: they re-read the whole passage for each question, get stuck on one difficult question and hesitate on True / False / Not Given. Removing these three habits frees up 10–15 minutes and five or six answers.

1. How many mistakes you can afford

Only anchor points are officially published (for example, 30 correct answers gives 7.0, and 35 gives 8.0). The full table below is indicative; exact boundaries vary slightly from test to test:

Correct answers	Band
39–40	9.0
37–38	8.5
35–36	8.0
33–34	7.5
30–32	7.0
27–29	6.5
23–26	6.0

At band 8.0 you can afford four to five mistakes, at band 9.0 only one. That means every question where you are "more or less sure" must be taken to full certainty, and you find the time for that in the easy questions.

2. Timing

The passages increase in difficulty, so splitting your time equally is a mistake. A workable plan:

Passage 1: 17 minutes
Passage 2: 20 minutes
Passage 3: 23 minutes

On computer you enter your answers directly. On paper, transfer your answers to the answer sheet after each passage, not at the end: there is no extra time for transfer.

The 90-second rule. If a question takes more than 90 seconds, enter your best guess, flag the question and move on. Come back if you have time left. One question that keeps you stuck can cost you three unanswered questions at the end.

Do not leave any answer blank. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, and a guess sometimes turns out to be correct.