If you are just starting IELTS Reading preparation and are not sure where to begin, this simple 4-week plan gives you a clear, realistic structure to follow.
Week 1: Build the foundation. Focus on understanding the test format — 3 passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes, and the different question types (multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, fill-in-the-blank, matching headings). Practice 2-3 Beginner-level passages this week without worrying about time. Your goal is understanding, not speed yet.
Week 2: Learn the core techniques. Start practicing skimming and scanning deliberately (see our dedicated article on this). Work through Basic-level passages, and after every attempt, carefully review the explanations for questions you got wrong. This week is about understanding why answers are correct, not just getting a score.
Week 3: Add time pressure gradually. Start timing yourself on individual passages — aim for about 20 minutes per passage. Mix in some Advance-level passages to get used to more difficult vocabulary and longer texts. If you are consistently running out of time, revisit the time management article and adjust your pacing.
Week 4: Simulate the real exam. Take at least one Full Mock Test this week under real, uninterrupted 60-minute conditions — no pausing, no dictionary. This is the single best way to know your realistic band score and identify which question types still need work. Review every wrong answer afterward, and note any patterns (for example, always losing marks on True/False/Not Given).
After 4 weeks: keep practicing consistently. This plan builds your foundation, but IELTS Reading improvement continues with regular practice. Aim to complete at least a few passages per week and one full mock test every two weeks, gradually shifting more of your practice toward Advance-level passages as your confidence grows.
A final tip. Progress in reading is often not visible day to day, but very visible over weeks. Do not judge yourself by a single passage's score — track your trend over the full month, and adjust the plan above based on which question types are giving you the most trouble.