Staying focused during the IELTS Reading test is easier said than done. With dense passages, tricky questions, and the pressure of a ticking clock, even the most prepared test takers can find their minds drifting. Losing concentration not only wastes precious time but also affects your ability to locate answers efficiently. If you’ve ever caught yourself re-reading the same sentence or zoning out halfway through a passage, you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll discuss practical strategies that will help you stay engaged with the texts and ultimately boost your IELTS Reading score.
Read the Questions First
Always start by reading the questions before diving into the passage. This gives your brain a purpose while reading and helps you stay alert for relevant information.
Set a Timer for Each Passage
Time yourself! Knowing the clock is ticking can help boost your concentration. IELTS reading passages are of increasing difficulty. In other words, the second passage is usually more challenging than the first, so try to allocate the most time to the third passage.
Highlight or Underline Keywords
Actively mark important words or phrases in the questions and the text. This turns your reading into a task, making it easier to stay focused. When you give your brain a clear target, it’s easier to focus.
We’ve discussed the keyword technique in this guide.
Use a Finger or a Pen to Guide Your Reading for a while in Preparation
To train your brain, for a while in your preparation, move your finger or a pen along the text as you read. This keeps your eyes from wandering and anchors your attention on the sentence. Once you get used to it, gradually stop doing this, as it usually slows you down. The aim of this activity is to train your mind to have a better attention span before you focus on speed. On your test day, you should read the text without a finger or pen to guide your eyes.
Take a 10-Second Mental Reset
If you feel your focus is slipping, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and reset. A quick break helps refresh your concentration. Sometimes it’s the stress that won’t let you focus. If this is the case for you, try box-breathing, which is explained in this video.
Practice Skimming and Scanning
Focus issues often arise from trying to read every word. Skim for the general idea and scan for keywords—it keeps your mind active and reduces boredom. For more details, read this guide.
