The average non-native English reading speed is approximately 200–250 words per minute. IELTS Reading passages are typically 900 words each — meaning reading a single passage takes 3.6–4.5 minutes at this speed, leaving little time for question answering. Band 7 IELTS readers typically read at 280–350 words per minute with good comprehension. This guide provides six techniques to increase your reading speed by 20–30% while maintaining the comprehension needed for accurate answers.
1Techniques 1–2: Eliminate Sub-vocalisation and Regression
Technique 1 — Reduce sub-vocalisation: Most readers silently 'say' words in their head as they read — a habit called sub-vocalisation. This limits reading speed to speaking speed (~130 words per minute). To reduce it: hum softly while reading (occupies the vocal mechanism), or repeat a neutral sound ('la la la') mentally while reading text. This feels strange at first but trains your brain to process text visually rather than auditorily. Technique 2 — Reduce regression: Regression is re-reading text you have already passed. It accounts for approximately 20–30% of reading time for most people. Use a finger or pen to guide your eyes forward and resist the urge to look back.
2Techniques 3–4: Chunking and Expanding Visual Span
Technique 3 — Chunking: Instead of reading word by word, practise reading in chunks of 3–4 words at a time. The eye can process 4–5 words in a single fixation. Train this by using a pen to chunk text in groups of 3 and practise reading each chunk in one fixation. Technique 4 — Expand your visual span: Practise fixing your gaze in the centre of a line and reading the words on both sides of the fixation point simultaneously. Wide visual span allows you to process more words per fixation. Practise with a finger pointing at the centre of each line, reading without moving your gaze to individual words.
3Technique 5: Selective Reading Practice
Selective reading means distinguishing high-information words (nouns, main verbs, adjectives) from low-information words (articles, prepositions, auxiliary verbs) and spending more time on the former. 'The government has significantly increased funding for renewable energy projects' → high-information words: government, significantly increased, funding, renewable energy, projects. Low-information: the, has, for. Train this by highlighting only content words in a text and reading just those. Gradually, you process function words faster because they carry less meaning.
4Technique 6: Timed Reading Drills
Set a timer for 3 minutes and read as much of a passage as possible, then answer comprehension questions on what you read. Repeat this drill 3× per week, gradually increasing the target words per session. Track your words-per-minute over time. Most people improve 20–30% within 3 weeks. Use IELTS Reading passages (or academic newspaper articles of similar length) for maximum relevance. After 4 weeks of daily timed drills, your reading speed will have increased enough to reduce the time pressure that currently prevents some candidates from finishing all 40 questions.
🎯 Key Takeaway
Reading speed improvement is gradual but reliable with consistent practice. Target 280+ words per minute with comprehension. Begin measuring your current speed using a free online WPM test, then use the techniques above to increase it by 50–80 words per minute over four weeks of daily practice.