12 IELTS Reading Tips for Nepalese Students to Score Band 7–9

• Multiple choice: Read the question carefully before reading the options. Identify what the question is really asking about. After that, scan the passage for the relevant idea, not the same words. Then remove options that only partly match the meaning.
• True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given: Read the statement and underline key details. Find the exact part of the passage that talks about the same idea. After that, decide whether the text agrees, contradicts, or does not mention it. Then choose the answer strictly based on the passage, not on personal knowledge or assumptions.
• Matching headings: Read all headings first to understand the themes. Skim each paragraph, focusing on the opening and closing lines. After that, decide what the paragraph is mainly about as a whole. Then match the heading that best reflects the central idea, not examples or supporting details.
• Matching information: Look at the question items and identify key words like names, dates, or events. Scan the passage to locate where each piece of information appears. After that, match it with the correct paragraph letter.
• Matching sentence endings: Read the beginning of the sentence carefully to understand its direction. Scan the passage for the related idea. After that, choose the ending that completes the meaning logically. Then check that the full sentence is grammatically correct.
• Sentence completion: Read the sentence and check the word limit before answering. Find the exact sentence or phrase in the passage. After that, copy the words directly from the text. Check spelling and grammar before moving on.
• Summary or note completion: Read the summary structure to understand the flow of ideas. Find the section of the passage that matches the summary. After that, fill the gaps using words taken directly from the text. Then confirm that the words fit grammatically and follow the word limit.
• Diagram and table completion: Study the diagram or table labels before reading the passage. Identify what type of information is missing (steps, parts, or numbers). After that, scan the passage for technical terms or sequences and place the answers in the correct order.
• Short-answer questions: Read the question and note the word limit. Scan the passage for the exact information asked. After that, write the answer using precise words from the text. Then check spelling and singular or plural forms.

Understanding how each question type works reduces confusion, saves time, and helps avoid easy mistakes in the IELTS Reading test.

• Begin with all questions: Read every question linked to the passage before you start reading the text. After that, notice what each question is asking you to find.
• Note the information type: Some questions ask for dates or names, while others ask for reasons or views. Then keep these requirements in mind as you read and underline them as they appear.
• Answer while reading: When you already know the questions, answers appear naturally as you move through the passage. After that, you can answer immediately without searching again.
• Avoid reading the passage twice: Knowing what to look for prevents you from scanning the entire text again later. Then you save time for harder questions.
• Improve accuracy: Reading with clear targets reduces confusion and helps you choose answers based on meaning instead of guessing.

This habit leads to locating answers faster, missing fewer questions, and controlling time better.

• Know which question types follow order: True False Not Given, Yes No Not Given, sentence completion, summary or note completion, short-answer questions, and diagram or table completion follow the passage order.
• Start from the last answer’s location: Once you find an answer, the next answer will appear later in the passage. Keep reading forward instead of returning to earlier parts.
• Avoid full-passage searching: Trust the question order and don’t scan the entire text for each question.
• Do not apply to all question types: Matching headings/information may not follow passage order, so handle these question types separately.
• Combine with skimming: When you know the question order, skimming helps you locate the next answer zone faster. Read that zone in detail for an accurate answer.

• Expect ideas to be rewritten: The question and the passage usually express the same idea using different words. For example, a question may use “increase,” while the passage uses “rise” or “grow.”
• Match meaning, not vocabulary: The correct answer expresses the same idea as the question, even when the words look different. Choosing answers based only on similar words often leads to mistakes.
• Be careful with repeated words: Sometimes a word from the question appears in the passage, but means something else in that context. These cases are common traps.
• Guess meanings using context: When a word looks new or if a phrasing feels unclear, read the sentences before and after it. The surrounding lines usually explain the meaning.
• Get used to it through practice: The more IELTS Reading passages you read, the easier it becomes to notice how ideas are rewritten in different ways.

Recognising synonyms and paraphrased ideas improves accuracy and helps avoid one of the most common causes of losing marks in IELTS Reading.

• Read at a steady pace: Reading too fast reduces understanding and increases errors. A controlled pace helps you process information correctly and choose answers with confidence.
• Skip confusing questions: If an answer is not clear after a reasonable effort, skip it. Spending too long on one question gives less time for the rest.
• Return to skipped questions later: Reattempt difficult questions once the easier ones are done. With lower pressure, it becomes easier to identify difficult answers correctly.
• Prioritise accuracy over speed: Steady, careful reading reduces careless mistakes. Losing fewer marks can significantly affect your final band score.
• Avoid forcing answers under pressure: When you panic and start guessing, you will likely write a few incorrect answers. Leaving a question temporarily is better than rushing a decision.

• Always practise with a 60-minute timer: Use the same time limit as the actual IELTS Reading test for training your speed and accuracy together.
• Complete all three passages in one sitting: Instead of practising passages separately, prepare yourself for mental fatigue and build the concentration needed for the test.
• Follow the real passage order: Attempt Passage 1, then Passage 2, and finally Passage 3. This mirrors the increasing difficulty of the test.
• Review every incorrect answer carefully: Check whether the mistake happened due to misunderstanding, poor timing, instruction errors, or paraphrasing issues.
• Track repeated mistakes: Notice patterns such as frequent errors in True/False/Not Given or running out of time in Passage 3. Fix these patterns to make real improvement.
• Review, don’t just repeat: Doing many tests without analysing mistakes rarely improves scores. Fewer tests with proper self-review sessions are more effective.