"I was carefully working through Passages 1 and 2, and then I realized I only had 10 minutes left. I barely even touched Passage 3..."
In the IELTS Reading test, many test-takers lose points because of this exact scenario. More than English proficiency itself, it's the failure in 'Time Management' that becomes the biggest obstacle to achieving a target score (Overall Band 6.5–7.5).
This article explains, based on the latest data, the 'golden rule of time management' practiced by high-scorers (Band 7.0–9.0) and the answering strategies needed to finish within the time limit.
1. Is '20 Minutes x 3' a Mistake? The Trap of Increasing Difficulty
The IELTS Reading test requires you to complete three passages in 60 minutes, but the common advice to spend an equal '20 minutes per passage' is actually not recommended for those aiming for a high score.
Why Equal Time Allocation Fails
The IELTS Reading test is designed with 'scaled difficulty,' meaning it gets harder as you progress.
- Passage 1: Relatively straightforward content (everyday, concrete topics)
- Passage 3: The most difficult and longest (academic, abstract, argumentative topics)
Expert analysis also confirms that 'Passage 3 demands a wider range of vocabulary and deals with more conceptual content,' making it extremely difficult to complete in the same 20 minutes as Passage 1. The reason so many test-takers run out of time is that they spend too much time on the easier Passage 1.
2. The '15-20-25' Rule for Targeting a Band 7.0
So, what is the ideal time allocation? High-scorers and IELTS instructors worldwide recommend the '15-20-25' rule.
The Ideal Time Schedule
- Passage 1: 15 minutes (Goal: Complete all questions)
This is your 'warm-up.' Don't read every single word; use scanning to find answers quickly.
- Passage 2: 20 minutes (Goal: Answer 80% correctly)
Proceed at a standard pace.
- Passage 3: 25 minutes (Goal: Answer 50-70% correctly)
Intentionally save the most time for the most difficult passage.
Some advanced test-takers (Band 8.0 and above) adopt an even more aggressive allocation like '13-20-27 minutes,' using the final few minutes for review. The key takeaway is that how much time you can 'bank' during Passage 1 is what makes or breaks your score.
3. The 90-Second Rule for Identifying Questions to Skip
The IELTS Reading test gives you 60 minutes to answer 40 questions, which averages out to just '90 seconds (1 minute 30 seconds)' per question. However, when faced with a difficult question, it's human nature to think, 'I'm so close to figuring it out,' and spend 3 or 4 minutes on it. This can be fatal to your score.
Have the Courage to Cut Your Losses
High-scorers strictly adhere to the following '90-second rule':
"If a question looks like it will take more than 90 seconds, skip it decisively and move on."
One test-taker reported that by simply implementing this rule, they went from taking 1.5 hours on practice tests to finishing in just 55 minutes. You can pass the IELTS even if there are questions you can't solve. You don't need a perfect score. The biggest risk is getting stuck on one difficult question and losing the opportunity to answer three easier ones that follow.
4. Question Type Strategy: Order of Attack and ROI (Return on Investment)
Not all questions require the same amount of effort. The IELTS has 'Time Wasters' and 'Money Makers.' Identifying these and changing the order in which you tackle them is a crucial strategy.
Low-ROI Questions to Save for Later
The following question types require an understanding of the entire passage or subtle logical distinctions, often taking a lot of time for a lower chance of getting them right.
- Matching Headings
- True / False / Not Given (or Yes / No / Not Given)
Even if these appear at the beginning of a passage, don't jump into them right away. It's more efficient to tackle them after you've answered other questions and have a better grasp of the text's content.
High-ROI Questions to Prioritize
The following types can often be answered quickly by finding 'keywords' (proper nouns, numbers, etc.) in the text that lead directly to the answer.
- Sentence Completion
- Flow-chart / Table Completion
These are your 'point-getters.' Tackle them first to build up your score reliably.
5. Panicking with 10 Minutes Left? (Emergency Strategy)
If you find yourself starting Passage 3 with only 10 minutes left, don't give up. It's impossible to read the entire text in this situation. Switch to the following 'Bail-out Strategy'.
- Abandon reading the full text: Read only the first and last sentences of each paragraph to get the general idea.
- Focus solely on keyword searching: Look at the questions, identify keywords like 'proper nouns' and 'numbers,' and scan the text to find only those areas to answer questions like sentence completion.
- Guess at the end: There is no penalty for wrong answers in IELTS. A blank answer is worth zero points, but a guess might be correct. With less than a minute to go, fill in an answer for all remaining questions.
Conclusion: Time is Something to be 'Managed'
The biggest reason for a stagnant IELTS Reading score is often not a lack of English ability, but a 'lack of strategy.' Your score can change dramatically by abandoning the perfectionist mindset of 'I have to read everything' and strictly following the '15-20-25 allocation' and the '90-second rule.'
If you struggle with time management on your own or can't figure out which questions to skip, getting professional guidance is a shortcut. At ELT, we provide coaching on IELTS strategies tailored to your individual English level.
For IELTS Preparation, Choose 'ELT'
At ELT, our native instructors, including former IELTS examiners, provide one-on-one guidance on the unique 'paraphrasing' techniques and logical patterns found in the IELTS. Let us help you solve the problem of 'not enough time' from both a technical and an English proficiency standpoint.
