Thanks
For the reading section, I always tried to finish my section within 50-55 minutes in order to copy my answers on the answer sheet.
Then, I managed to see this test as a training for life, studies, cerebral flexibility. And I still think it is. Training for IELTS has helped me to read quicker in English, but also French for example.
For the specific techniques, I think my best one was always to read the three first questions, then to skim through the text. If you read and understand questions 1-3, you will know where each of them is situated, and will have a fallback plan if you don't find an answer (without constantly turning your page and reading the questions once more).
I suscribed to The Economist and tried to read quickly but efficiently (to understand the main points, to analyse the gist of the article/paragraph only), even though my character often tells me to pay attention to useless details in texts and to be distracted.
Also, a good solution has been to underline important elements that are in relation to the three questions you are analysing. Although this is seen as time consuming, it is not (I actually finished reading and copying after about 50 minutes). When you see the answer to question 12, don't copy it directly but write "13" near it on the sheet. If you need to link scientists to discoveries, first skim through the entire text to surround their names and use them as points of reference. I always used graphic signs as mental "pivots" that I used to reach a specific information in no time.
Finally, I really love the kind of articles that is given to us in the Academic module. I think this helped a lot. I am not studying natural nor engineering sciences, but it has always been one of my greatest passions. If a text interests you or if you force yourself to like something (better say "to see the good elements in everything"), it really becomes easier and more natural.
I hope this helped