IELTS Reading
IELTS Reading Skimming and Scanning
You cannot read every word and still finish IELTS Reading in time. Skimming and scanning are the two techniques that let you find answers fast without reading everything.
Skimming vs scanning
- Skimming — reading quickly to get the general idea and structure of a passage. Use it once at the start to map where topics sit.
- Scanning — moving your eyes rapidly to find a specific detail such as a name, date or keyword. Use it to locate each answer.
How to combine them
- Skim the passage in 2–3 minutes to understand what each paragraph is about.
- Read the questions and identify keywords or the paraphrase you need to find.
- Scan the relevant paragraph for that information and read closely only around it.
- Confirm the answer from the exact sentence, then move on.
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Recognise paraphrase, not just repeated words. IELTS rarely uses the same words in the question and the text — it swaps synonyms and rewrites the grammar.
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Take test →Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read the passage or the questions first?+
Skim the passage briefly for structure, then read the questions. This gives you a map of the text so you can scan straight to each answer.
How do I read faster for IELTS?+
Practise skimming daily on English articles, stop sub-vocalising every word, and train yourself to spot synonyms and paraphrase rather than exact matches.