Tips Should I read the passage first or the questions first?

[IELTS-Community]

In general reading for the IELTS test, some candidates have questioned whether it is more useful to read the passage first or the question. The better practice is to read the question first and then read with intent.

Why does reading the questions first work better​

The General Reading test has a strong emphasis on quickly finding information rather than engaging in intense academic inquiry. According to information from Cambridge IELTS Test Reports, over 70% of questions in General Reading relate to fact/Scanning type questions such as Matching Heading, True/False/Not Given, and Short Answers. These types of questions emphasize speed and accuracy over reading comprehension skills.


When you read the questions first, you:

• Identify keywords such as names, dates, places, or numbers
• Understand what information you must find
• Avoid wasting time on irrelevant paragraphs

Have you noticed how many candidates lose marks simply because they read too slowly?

How to apply this strategy step by step​

Start by reading the instructions carefully, since word limits matter in General Reading. Then scan the questions and underline keywords. After that, skim the passage to locate sections that relate to those keywords. Once you find the relevant area, read that part more carefully and answer the question directly.

This method reduces cognitive load and improves accuracy, especially in Section 1 and Section 2, which contain everyday workplace and social texts.

When reading the passage first may help​

In Section 3, the passage tends to be longer and more descriptive. For tasks like matching headings, a quick skim of the entire passage can help you grasp the main idea of each paragraph. However, even here, reading the questions immediately after skimming keeps your focus sharp.

Final recommendation​

For most test-takers, reading the questions first is the more secure and effective approach for IELTS General Reading. This approach corresponds to the nature of the IELTS General Reading test itself, as it also helps the candidate deal with all three parts. Test-takers following this strategy tend to raise their reading band by 0.5 to 1 band, according to IELTS tutoring statistics.