The IELTS exam comprises of four main sections, the reading is the second part.

In this section of the test you are given a question booklet and an answer sheet, both of which you will return at the end of the test.

Your timing is an important factor for the test as you’ll be allocated one hour. During this time you need to complete 40 questions from the three required sections.

There are a few differences between the paper-based and computer-based versions of the IELTS Reading test. It is more a matter of the advantages or disadvantages of the two formats.

You can become acquainted with the computer-based IELTS Reading test interface by visiting the following link from the official IELTS website: https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/computer-delivered-ielts/sample-test-questions .

There you will find official samples of all question types for both the Academic and the General Training tests and answer keys for them.

Now have a look at the detailed comparison between the paper-based and computer-based Reading tests below and choose the best format for you.

What are you given at the start of the test?

Paper-Based Test: 

* You are given the IELTS Reading examination booklet that contains the reading passages and questions, and an answer sheet to be completed.

Computer-Based Test: 

* You are sitting in front of the computer on which the test will be running the test.

Where will I write my answers?

Paper-Based Test:

* Your answers must be writteninpencilon the answer sheet in clear and legible handwriting.

* You may take notes on the examination booklet, but you mustwrite your final answers onthe reading answersheet, as the examination booklet will not be looked at and graded.

Computer-Based Test:

* You answer all the questions on the screen. There is no text on paper as there is no answer sheet whatsoever.

Will I get additional time to transfer my answers onto the answer sheet?

Paper-Based Test:

* There is no transfer time in the paper-based IELTS Reading test.  When 60 minutes are over, the test is over as well and you must hand in your answer sheet.

Computer-Based Test:

* You don’t need to bother about transferring your answers onto the answer sheet as there is NO answer sheet.

What can (and should) I do while I’m working on the test?

Paper-Based Test:

* You can take notes on the examination booklet. This helps you to understand the main ideas in the text paragraphs and reduces the time you need while to answering questions.

* You can also underline key words and ideas. This is very useful to mark the location of correct answers in the reading passages.

Computer-Based Test:

* If you select some text in the reading passage on the screen you can right click it and select either Highlight or Notes.

* You can Highlight any section of the text on the screen if you want to focus on it or mark the location of the answer to a question. This works the same way as underlining on paper.

* You can select Notes and type whatever you need on the post-it note that appears. This is similar to taking real notes in the margins of your examination booklet.

*  You can also mark a question by ticking the Review box (in the lower left corner of the screen) so that you have a look at it later and not forget it

Before you know how to improve your IELTS reading you need to establish whether you need to do the Academic or General test.

The IELTS academic test will evaluate if your level of English is good enough for an academic environm...