Achieving Band 8 in the IELTS reading section may be challenging, but it’s definitely achievable with the right strategy. To reach Band 8, you need to concentrate and have a solid plan in mind for your IELTS exam. For the IELTS Academic exam, you must score 35 out of 40 to achieve Band 8, allowing for only 5 mistakes. For IELTS General Training, you must score 37 out of 40, allowing for only 3 mistakes.

Successful IELTS candidates who have received Band 9 have shared some valuable tips that can help you achieve a high band score in the reading section. Let’s discuss these top secrets of Band 8:

1. Solving Questions Simultaneously While Reading the Passage:

It’s essential to know that the answers to the questions come in the order of the passage. For example, the answer to question 1 may be in paragraph 2, and the answer to question 2 may be in paragraph 4. With this knowledge, you can adopt an excellent strategy: solve the questions side by side while reading the passage.

For instance, read question 1, then start reading the passage to find its answer. Once you have the answer for question 1, move on to question 2 and continue reading the passage from where you left off. This approach saves time and helps you find answers quickly. By doing this, you won’t run out of time while solving the questions in the IELTS reading exam.

2. Marking Answers in the Reading Passage:

A highly effective strategy recommended by a Band 9 candidate is marking answers directly in the reading passage instead of writing them first on the question paper and then transferring them to the answer sheet. Transferring answers can consume unnecessary time, and even seconds can be crucial in answering all questions.

You can mark answers in the reading passage for questions such as short answers, summary completion, flow charts, diagram labeling, and fill-ups. When you are required to write words as answers, marking them in the passage itself and then quickly transferring them after solving one passage can save time and boost your score in the IELTS reading section.