IELTS Reading Overview: Format and Timing

The Reading test lasts 60 minutes with 40 questions and no extra time for transfer.

Key Points

1. Academic Reading has three long texts
2. General Training has three sections of increasing difficulty
3. Spend about 20 minutes on each passage
4. Write answers on the answer sheet as you go
5. Answers follow the order of the text for most question types

Expert Tip

Do not spend more than 20 minutes on any passage.