The IELTS General Training Reading test assesses your ability to understand everyday texts, workplace information and longer texts on topics of general interest.
The test has three sections and 40 questions, and you have 60 minutes to complete it. The sections become progressively more difficult, so it’s important to understand the different types of texts and questions before you start practising.
On this page, you’ll find an overview of the IELTS General Training Reading test format, question types, practical strategies, practice tests and links to more detailed lessons.
IELTS General Training Reading Test at a glance
- 3 sections
- 40 questions
- 60 minutes
- 3 types of reading texts, from short everyday texts to one longer text
- Different question types
- Sections become progressively more difficult
Section 1
‘Social’ topics
2 short texts
Questions 1 – 14
Section 2
‘Workplace’ topics
2 short texts
Questions 15 – 27
Section 3
Short article
1 longer text
Questions 28 – 40
IELTS General Training Reading test format
Section 1: Everyday texts
Section 1 contains two or three short texts about everyday life and social situations. You might find information such as notices, advertisements, timetables and other practical texts.
Questions: 1–14
Section 2: Workplace texts
Section 2 contains two texts related to the workplace. These may include information about workplace procedures, job descriptions, contracts, training or professional development.
Questions: 15–27
Section 3: Longer text
Section 3 contains one longer text on a topic of general interest. It is longer and more complex than the texts in Sections 1 and 2.
Questions: 28–40
GT Reading Question Types
You may encounter different question types in the General Training Reading test, including:
- True False Not Given
- Matching Headings
- Matching Information
- Gapfill completion
- Multiple Choice
- Short answers
Each question type requires a slightly different strategy. I’ve created separate lessons to help you understand what each task is testing and how to approach it.
GT Reading Tips
There are specific strategies for specific question types, which I go into in more detail in separate lessons.
However, these tips apply to MOST texts.
Before the test
- Practise with reliable IELTS materials.
- Don’t just do practice tests. Analyse your mistakes.
- Keep a vocabulary notebook from the texts you read.
- ⏰ As you get closer to test day, practise under timed conditions.
- Learn the different question types and their strategies.
- Repeat difficult tests after you’ve analysed your mistakes.
- Check your handwriting if you’re doing the paper test – is it easy to read? If not, use CAPITAL LETTERS.
During the test
- Manage your time carefully. Don’t get stuck on one question. Skip it. Move on.
- Read the questions BEFORE you read the texts.
- Underline key words in the questions and text.
- Use the Capital Letters (in names and places), italics and numbers (dates, prices etc) to skim the text and find your place.
- Use the first lines of each paragraph to skim in the longer text (Section 3).
- In many question types, the answers follow the order of the text. Matching Headings is an important exception.
- Leave some time to check that you’ve transferred your answers accurately to the Answer Sheet.
IELTS General Training Reading Practice Test
Before you start working on individual question types, try a full IELTS General Training Reading practice test under timed conditions. This will give you a better idea of your current level and show you which question types you need to practise.
Free official practice tests
British Council: General Training Reading practice tests
Two full Reading tests, including all three sections, with answers.
British Council: IELTS on computer General Training Reading practice
Sample questions for different Reading question types, so you can practise the computer format (🔗 same link as above)
IDP: General Training Reading practice tests
Free practice covering a range of individual question types.
Continue your IELTS General Training Reading practice
Free lessons
- General Training Reading Section 1
- General Training Reading Section 2
- General Training Reading Section 3
Want more structured Reading practice?
The Resource Library gives you access to a larger collection of IELTS Reading lessons, practice tests, PDFs and model answers.
About Fiona
Fiona is an IELTS trainer, ex-examiner and course creator based in the UK. She has a Master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Distinction) and over 35 years of teaching experience. She has helped thousands of IELTS candidates develop the language and exam skills needed to achieve their target scores.
