This is how to get about 9 in IELTS reading. Step 1. Get some official Cambridge practice tests. Step 2. Do at least 2 practice tests under exam conditions. Step 3. Go to the back and find out which questions you got wrong. Step 4. Go back and analyze the questions that you got wrong to establish what your main weaknesses are. Your weaknesses might be spelling, time management, vocabulary, or particular question types, such as true false not given or matching headings. The final step is to turn each of these weaknesses into strengths and then repeat the process until you get the score that you deserve.