Exam skills: 6 tips to help you with reading exams

Time isn't always on your side!

Reading English is often OK if you’ve got plenty of time to do it, but in a reading exam, it can seem as if time isn’t on your side! Watch this video to see our six top tips to help you with your reading exam - then afterwards test your understanding in our quiz.

[Images: Getty Images]

Transcript
Rob
Reading English is often OK if you’ve got plenty of time to do it, but in a reading exam, it can seem as if time isn’t on your side! Here's examiner Mark Shea…

Mark Shea, Examiner
The way most reading exams work is that you have a lot of reading to do and very little time to do it. Time is more important perhaps in reading than in any other paper.

Rob
So there's no time to waste in a reading exam but hopefully our top tips will not make your next exam feel like a sprint!

The first thing to do is to familiarise yourself with the structure of the exam. Remember to do plenty of reading practice tests – preferably in timed conditions. And get feedback either from your teacher or by checking your answers with answer keys where possible.

When you do the real exam, begin by reading the instructions carefully so you know exactly what you're required to do. One suggestion is to start with the reading section that you found easiest in the practice test - then you'll have time to focus on the sections you find most difficult. Other people suggest the opposite. You choose which way works for you. Just don't spend too much time on any one section – the clock is ticking! This is how one student approaches a reading exam…

Student
When the paper come, I read first the questions. I try to read the whole thing and try to construct how I answer those questions.

Rob
So it’s a good idea to read the questions before you read the texts, so you know what to look for. You could skim to find the main idea of a section of text or scan to find specific details such as key words, details, phrases or synonyms from the questions. Attempt to answer all the questions as long as there is no penalty for an incorrect answer. And make sure you leave some time at the end to check your answers.

Good luck!

[yayatletis]

read the questions before the text is very useful 👍

[ronghongselen]

I hope that my test will be good when I already watched this tip. thank

[jiada]

* screams *
i really wish i could read the question first THEN read but my teachers will NEVER allow that :(((

[jannettel]

Thank you. I have tests approaching these next few days, and, considering that I am quite good at English, I think I will achieve high marks and grades.😎

[Donya_]

I am sooo happy cause I got 100 in the exam because I was from hundred thank you this video was useful

[preciouss]

I'm in college and I have a reading exam in two weeks for the final and I feel like I'm going to fail the course. Everybody in my class got a D and I'm lucky I'm not the only one with the lowest grade in my class because to pass the course in college we need to make a C to pass the course and I already pass my final today with a B, but it is not an easy class for me. I hopefully study extra hard until my final is here and my goal is to get a C and not expecting to be perfect to get the highest grade.

[santiagomody]

I like this channel so much ...
I like it

[The.one.and.only_]

Thanks tomorrow lm doing a practice FSA this will help a lot ❤

[Thess]

sometimes no time for checking the answers particularly in reading.

[kennedyjarvis]

i have a 90 in english and finals are coming up. i hope my grade doesnt drop to a B:(

[itzyosania]

Ive got exams tommorow and after tomorow:(( prayyyyinnnnggg:( im gonba fail im not hood at understanding things:((( and i have spanish test tomorowwww!!

[The.one.and.only_]

I used to have A and B and two F and one of a boy in my class made my team go down to a C and F thanks for the tip

[elizabetharmada]

English language is truly essential for the BPO industry... sometimes, , our tongues are twisted speaking to the language that isn't our mother tongue 😂... however, , we must and should learn to perfect it if you want to hold an important position in the company

[pkqcchf]

I keep failing reading ielts 😢 getting a 4 band

[cyfexz]

I have an 56 in reading hope I get an a hope

[CandleCat-]

Before you read the questions you should probably read the title and the caption if there is one 😊 Good luck!

[wmnigyt]

BUT WHAT CAN I DO IF THERE IS NO TIME FOR CHECKING THE ANSWERS???😕😕😕

[sharonsanu]

Bro I have my English 1😢 test in 2week. I have failed all my reading test.

[johngomes]

I did my reading my teacher told me don't look at the time, I did guess what I was so relaxed about it and bang 😜 out of time, Big failed I want to die

[kidkitto]

I have extra time, so this didn't help me at all?