IELTS Reading: when to 'skim' or 'scan'

Many IELTS books talk about 'skimming' and 'scanning' to find answers in the reading test. But the danger is that students focus more on these techniques than on the passage that they are reading, with the result that they often miss the answers by skimming or scanning past them!

Here's some simple advice:

Skimming basically means 'reading very quickly'. Only skim if you are looking for a distinctive word that doesn't have any synonyms e.g. "Manchester".

Scanning basically means 'looking for something without reading'. Only scan if you're searching for a number e.g. "1999".

For all other questions, forget about skimming and scanning; just read the passage carefully at normal speed.

Comments

[Mikel]

I agree with you. Many times, the answers are skilfully "hidden" in the text and far from the obvious words.

[maya]

thanks simon

[Prince Panda]

If we don't use skimming or scanning, do we have enough time to go through all questions?

[Usman Manzoor]

I agree with Simon. It is true that we often miss required information to answer the questions when we skim and scan for each and every question.

[jinan]

from all this .do you recomend me to read the passage before reading the question

[Neha]

@Jinan: Simon Sir told every time that we must on question before reading . So that we know what we are looking for ..

[Neha]

Sorry Mean to saw that we must read question before reading whole passage

[Kofo]

Thank you for your advise on this reading- scanning and skimming, which is the area i have problem with. I got my IELTS result yesterday:L7 R5.5,(too bad), W7 and S7.5. overall was 7. The reading spoilt it. I really need a lot of practice! I need 7 in all the 4 areas. Your site have helped me a lot. Will sit for another test later this month.Can anyone give me tips and tricks about this reading problem? Am waiting please.

[jinan]

thank you neha.but do you think the time is enough to read the whole passage

[Giang]

Hi Simon,

Thanks a lot for your great work. It supports me so much in learning IELTS.

By the way, I found an other website as posted link below which has the same content as yours and wonder if she/he had your permission?

http://uzenglish.wordpress.com/?s=IELTS+Speaking+Part+3

[Olimjon]

I agree with you Simon. When I skim all passages, I always miss answers. So I read whole passage quickly. But one problem I have, I cant finish all passages in time. How can I finish third passage in 60 mins. Should I read more magazines, newspapres...???

[Sharmila]

I wrote my IELTS exam yesterday, But I attempted all answers in capital letters?? Will it make any problem??

[G4f]

Hi Sharmila,

I dont think you will face any problem with this. However, writing answers in capital might take you longer that the conventional way.

[ALI]

Hi ,everybody
I got 4.5 in Reading?
I need 6 .Please,guide me to score 6 in reading

Thanl you

[semenchu]

Scanning and skimming is essential where IELTS takers must familiar with these technique. However, it seems to me that need to read at least twice to find the answer correctly. Otherwise, my score will be stood at 6. Any comment from other?

[Lena]

Thank you for the tips, Simon.

[Hasnpreet Sekhon]

Ser plzzzzzzzzzzzzz tell me something in reading really m very weak and my exam is very close ser plzzzzzzzzzzzzz 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏