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Overview

Test Structure

The Reading test has 4 parts with 38 questions total. Each part has its own timer — time does not carry over between parts.

Note

The test moves forward only. Once a part ends (by clicking next or when the timer hits zero), it locks and you cannot go back.

Test Environment

  • Centre-based only — desktop computer with mouse, keyboard, headset, and notepaper + pen
  • One screen per part — passage and questions share the same page (scroll between them)
  • Visible countdown timer per part
  • Within a part: Move freely between items, change answers anytime
  • Across parts: Forward-only, locked once completed

Tip

Your notepaper is collected at the end and is not scored. Use it freely for constraint strings, paragraph labels, and opinion maps.

Part Breakdown

Part 1: Reading Correspondence (11 questions, ~11 min)

  • Content: A short email/message + a reply with drop-down blanks
  • Skills: Understanding purpose, tone, specific details; completing the reply with correct facts and register
  • Question mix: Mostly Specific Information + some General Meaning

Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram (8 questions, ~9 min)

  • Content: A timetable, map, price table, or flowchart + a message with drop-downs
  • Skills: Matching constraints to exact cells/rows/segments; reading footnotes and legends
  • Question mix: Almost all Specific Information

Part 3: Reading for Information (9 questions, ~10 min)

  • Content: An informational passage split into paragraphs A–D + nine statements
  • Skills: Matching statements to paragraphs or choosing "Not Stated" (E)
  • Question mix: Specific Information + Inference, plus Not Stated decisions

Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints (10 questions, ~13 min)

  • Content: An opinion article (author + contrasting viewpoints) + a reader comment with drop-downs
  • Skills: Tracking multiple speakers' stances; inference; tone and attitude
  • Question mix: Heavy Inference + some General Meaning

The Three Question Types

Tag every question before answering — this tells you how to read:

Type What It Asks How to Read Trigger Words
G — General Meaning Main idea, best title, overall tone/purpose Skim paragraph openings + contrast markers mainly, primarily, overall, best title, main purpose, tone
S — Specific Information One concrete fact (who/when/where/how many) Scan for anchors (names, numbers, dates) according to, which, how many, what time, where, who, in paragraph X
I — Inference What's implied, suggested, or likely agreed with Read the claim + its context carefully implies, suggests, most likely, can be inferred, would agree

5-Second Decision Tree

  • Does the stem ask for the overall idea, purpose, or tone? → G
  • Does it ask for one concrete thing (name, number, date, paragraph)? → S
  • Does it use words like implies, suggests, likely, can be inferred? → I
  • If mixed, pick the highest-precision tag (a date or name = S, even in a long sentence)

Answer Types

Format Where It Appears How It Works
Multiple-choice (one correct) All parts Click a single option; saved immediately
Drop-down blanks Parts 1, 2, and 4 Complete a reply/comment; only one choice fits meaning + tone + facts
Paragraph match / Not Stated Part 3 Match statements to paragraphs A–D or choose E

Time Management

Part Questions Target Time Pacing
1 — Correspondence 11 ~11 min Map 1m → Facts 3m → Drop-downs 5.5m → Sweep 1.5m
2 — Diagram 8 ~9 min Legend 0.5m → Direct 4m → Multi-constraint 3m → Sweep 1.5m
3 — Information 9 ~10 min GPS 1.25m → Direct 4m → Tricky 3.75m → Sweep 1m
4 — Viewpoints 10 ~13 min Map 1m → Structure 6.5m → Inference 4m → Sweep 1.5m

Never Leave Blanks

There is no penalty for wrong answers. A blank is the only guaranteed loss. If time runs out, eliminate two options and pick the survivor.

Next Steps