IELTS Reading Time Management: How to Finish All 40 Questions in 60 Minutes
The time problem
IELTS Reading gives you 60 minutes for three passages and 40 questions, and there is no extra time to transfer answers. Many candidates fail to finish the third passage because they spend too long on the first two. A time plan removes that risk and reduces anxiety.
A practical plan
A sensible plan is 15 to 17 minutes for Passage 1, 20 minutes for Passage 2 and 23 to 25 minutes for Passage 3, since the later passages are harder. Within each passage, spend one to two minutes skimming and then move to the questions. Allow about 90 seconds per question on average. Note the time you started each passage on the question paper so that you can check your progress quickly.
Tactics during the test
Answer the easier question types first within a passage, for example completion tasks with clear keywords, and leave time-consuming tasks such as matching headings until later if necessary. If one question takes more than about 90 seconds, mark it, guess and move on. There is no negative marking, so every answer should be filled in before the test ends. Write answers directly on the answer sheet as you go and check spelling and word limits.
Common timing mistakes
Candidates often read the entire passage word by word, spend too long on True/False/Not Given statements, or try to understand every unknown word. Another mistake is leaving a difficult passage until the end and running out of time. Reading speed improves through regular reading, but technique matters even more: scan for keywords, use the paragraph structure and make fast decisions.
How to practise timing
Do untimed practice at first to build accuracy, then introduce a timer for each passage and finally for a full 60-minute test. After every session, note where you lost time. Use the questions on the IELTS Reading practice page and our guides to True/False/Not Given and Matching Headings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move back to an earlier passage?
Yes. You can return to any passage during the 60 minutes.
Should I answer questions in order?
Usually yes, because answers follow the text, but you can skip difficult ones and return later.
Is there extra time to copy answers?
No. Write answers directly on the answer sheet in Reading.