How to Manage Your Time in IELTS Reading (and Finish All 40 Questions)
Running out of time is one of the most common reasons for a lower-than-expected IELTS Reading score, even among students with strong comprehension.
The 20-minute-per-passage rule
With three passages and 60 minutes, aim for roughly 20 minutes per passage including question-answering — not just reading.
Don’t read everything first
Skim for the main idea and structure first, then go straight to the questions and locate answers rather than reading the whole passage in detail before starting.
Answer easier question types first
Matching and multiple-choice questions are often faster than True/False/Not Given — doing quicker question types first banks marks before time pressure builds.
Never leave a blank
There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so always fill in every answer, guessing if necessary, before time runs out.
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