Skimming, Scanning and Time Management in IELTS Reading
Finish IELTS Reading on time: when to skim, when to scan, and a minute-by-minute plan for 40 questions in 60 minutes.
The most common complaint about IELTS Reading is "I didn't finish." Each passage is about 700 to 900 words, and you have 60 minutes for three passages and 40 questions, with no extra transfer time on paper. You cannot read every word carefully. You need two faster reading skills and a time plan.
Skimming: reading for the gist
Skimming means moving through a text quickly to understand its general idea and structure.
- Read the title and any subtitle.
- Read the first sentence of each paragraph.
- Let your eyes run over the rest, noticing names, numbers and repeated words.
A full skim of a passage should take 2 to 3 minutes. Afterwards, you should be able to say in one sentence what each paragraph is about.
Scanning: searching for specific information
Scanning means looking for a particular word, name, number or date without reading everything around it.
- Decide exactly what you are looking for, for example "1987" or "Dr Okafor".
- Move your eyes quickly down the page; capital letters and numbers stand out.
- When you find it, stop and read carefully around that spot.
Scanning is ideal for questions with names, dates or technical terms. It is less useful when questions use paraphrase, so combine it with your skim map.
A 60-minute plan
| Minutes | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0–20 | Passage 1 (usually the easiest): skim 2 min, questions 16 min, check 2 min |
| 20–40 | Passage 2: same pattern |
| 40–58 | Passage 3 (usually the hardest): aim to finish, guess where needed |
| 58–60 | Fill every blank with a guess; on paper, check the answer sheet |
If a passage runs over by more than three minutes, move on anyway. Marks are the same for every question, and easy questions in the next passage are worth as much as hard ones in this one.
Which questions to do first
- Matching headings: do these first, because they need an overview of the passage.
- Questions in passage order (True/False/Not Given, sentence completion, most multiple choice): answer them in order. Each answer is after the previous one.
- Matching information ("Which paragraph contains…?"): do these last, because by then you know the passage well.
General Training: a different time plan
General Training Reading has the same 60 minutes and 40 questions, but the structure is different. Section 1 contains several short everyday texts, Section 2 has workplace texts, and Section 3 is one longer passage. A practical split:
| Section | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Section 1 (everyday texts) | 15 minutes |
| Section 2 (workplace texts) | 20 minutes |
| Section 3 (long passage) | 25 minutes |
Sections 1 and 2 are mostly scanning: questions ask which advertisement offers a discount, or which rule applies to part-time staff. Save time here for the long, more demanding text at the end.
A scanning drill you can do in ten minutes
- Take any article or timetable.
- Write five questions about it containing names, numbers or dates, for example "What time does the last train leave?"
- The next day, time yourself finding the answers. Aim for under 30 seconds each.
Repeating this drill with different texts trains your eyes to move quickly and stop at the right place, the core skill for General Training sections 1 and 2.
Build your reading speed outside the test
- Read one article a day from a quality English publication on science, society or the environment, the typical IELTS topics.
- Time yourself: aim for 250 words per minute or more with good understanding.
- After reading, write a two-line summary. This trains the main-idea skill that matching headings tests.
Now try a full timed passage in our Reading practice and see where your time goes.