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The IELTS Reading test: how to practice smarter

Well, your IELTS exam is getting closer and you are practicing harder, solving more IELTS tests, reading passages, etc. But is this the most efficient way of practicing?

The best tip I can share with you is this: when you check your answers versus the correct ones, pay special attention to those you got WRONG. There always will be a chance to congratulate yourself later on those you’ve got right.

When you are going over the wrong answers one by one, try to understand why your answer is wrong, why the answer from the answer key is correct, and most importantly – why you made that mistake. Remember it and make sure you never make it again.

See what trap you walked into, what are your “weaknesses”, what type of task is the hardest for you. If, for instance, most of your mistakes are in “True/False/Not Given” type of questions – double-check your answers there. Or is your problem on the “Matching headings” task? Then pay extra attention to that kind of questions.

5 thoughts on “The IELTS Reading test: how to practice smarter”

  1. Pingback: IELTS: Academic or General? | IELTS-Blog

  2. Phuong has given me wonderful tips about reading,that i should read a lot and try to understand main ideas of the text.Vocabulary and paying particular attention to grammar structures is also vital.I got 6.5 in academic reading instead of 7 that i need to register with NMC UK.Overall i got Band 7 which i need.im frustrated because my scores range between 27 and 30 in practice tests.Im a nurse in Botswana_Gaborone

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Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and author of several popular IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005 her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target IELTS scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.