How to get Band 8 in IELTS Reading?
Most of the candidates who appear for the IELTS test obtain band 6 easily but a house of cards can never fetch you a score higher than 7. The complex matrix of questions presented in the reading section compels you to critically analyze the text structure in a timed environment. This article is the ultimate reference for you to train your brain and hit the bull's eye in the IELTS reading section.
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1. Don't Read Slowly!
Speed reading is of utmost importance during the test and I state this with a lot of thought. You need to answer 40 questions within 60 minutes, so knowing the right answer is pointless if you are not good at time management. If you are a slow reader, practice speed reading! Learn to skim and scan through the passages, it will help you catch the main points faster.
Bonus Tip: Quit re-reading sentences, not only does it waste your time but also doesn't improve your comprehension of the text.
2. Questions First
Go through the set of questions first and look for the answers in the given paragraph simultaneously. The questions usually follow the order of the passage. So it is best to swiftly read the questions and locate the answers without paying attention to irrelevant information. Please do not read the entire article and then move on to check the questions.
3. Never spend too much time in one question
This is another gigantic time-waster, so watch out for it. Your final score does not depend on what you do not understand. An overly complicated question steals the valuable time that can allow you to score higher marks. Therefore, examine the duration for dealing with a question wisely.
4. Focus on KEYWORDS
Highlight the names, dates, theories, places, and facts in the passage because it is likely that questions will be asked about them. It is easier to locate the answers when the keywords are highlighted and it saves plenty of time for revision. Remember that what you do not understand is immaterial and you should invest your energy in critically analyzing what you already know.
5. Sweat Blood for the Last Passage
Do not dedicate equal time and effort to each section since the order of difficulty sharply rises from the first passage to the last passage. There are three passages in total and the first one is the easiest so never spend more than 15 minutes on it. This will allow you to intensively read the last passage that challenges your intellect to get band 8. The last section is far from difficult, especially for the Academic category.
What is the difference between Academic and General IELTS?
In case you do not know, there are two categories of the IELTS test - General and Academic. IELTS General Training test is taken by those who move to English speaking countries for work experience or the purpose of migration. The candidates willing to seek higher education from English-speaking universities take the IELTS Academic test. These categories majorly differ in the manner of assessment, for instance, to get band 8 in IELTS Academic you need 35/40 whereas it is 37/40 for IELTS General.
6. Sift through Complexities
Ignore the esoteric words that you encounter and concentrate on understanding what the sentences are talking about and the relation between them. Learn all the types of questions that you will find during the exam, this will help you navigate through the text faster and locate what is important. Try to understand how the words in the question are paraphrased into the passage and look for their synonyms inside it. The IELTS exam does not test your expertise in a particular field and neither does it expect you to know all the technicalities. Not understanding everything does not imply that you cannot find the right answer. All you need to do is think logically and rationally.
Pro Tip: The headline and the first sentence of every paragraph provides you with crucial information about what the rest of the sentences will be talking about. Another important aspect is to understand the type of text for IELTS Academic test where the passages can be categorized into analytic, descriptive, discursive, and narrative. This increases your understanding of the topic which enables you to find answers more quickly.
7. Strengthen your Vocabulary and Grammar
A strong vocabulary coupled with an impeccable command over grammar definitely provides you with a competitive advantage. Aiming for band 8 requires you to invest time in these aspects and simple tricks will not help you if you don't have concrete knowledge of these areas.
8. PRACTICE!
The metaphysical trick that will give you sure shot success is Practice. Practice by reading academic texts and some of the best sources include National Geographic, BBC, the Economist, and the New Scientist. The more you practice the better you get and it is the number 1 way to rack up your score!
Best of luck, we are rooting for you to get the perfect band 9!
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