This study investigates the academic reading activities and problems of students in their first-year of study at a British University, and compares the emerging model of academic reading with an analysis of the reading construct as tested in the IELTS Reading Module. The contextual parameters of the reading texts of target students are reviewed and a comparison made with those performance conditions obtaining for reading activities in the IELTS test. The extent to which any problems in reading might decrease the higher the IELTS reading band score obtained before entry is investigated.