Find out more about publications, tips, courses and useful resources on the web that can help you prepare for the IELTS examination.
Road to IELTS Online
We are offering you 30 hours of online self study materials for free, exclusive to all candidates who register for an IELTS exam with us. When your payment for the IELTS test is confirmed you will be sent access codes to the materials. You will be able to access the materials as many times as you wish until 1 week after the date of your written exam. APPLY EARLY for the test so that you can get maximum use of this online course.
Take IELTS Free practice tests
Prepare for IELTS with these free practice tests and answers. Time yourself and develop your exam technique. The practice tests in this section offer you the opportunity to
- get to know the test format
- experience the types of tasks you will be asked to undertake
- test yourself under timed conditions
- review your answers and compare them with model answers
"Study Tips And Skills For IELTS" videos
New feature: Have a look at the 14 videos where successful IELTS candidates introduce themselves, their IELTS band and their current job before giving a top tip or study skill idea. The videos are between 45-60 seconds long, and focus on the four different exam areas (speaking, listening, reading, writing).
Please note that the people in these promotional videos are representing the views and opinions of successful IELTS candidates and may not necessarily all have taken the exam themselves.
Please see our new 'Tips for Taking the IELTS Test' video on Youtube.
You may find the following books useful for preparation. Please note that the British Council does not sell these books. They can be bought from bookshops or Amazon.
How to Prepare for IELTS
ISBN 0863551750 British Council
The method is suitable for home study or for use in the class. The book describes the different subtests; explains what you need to do in the exam room; shows you what sort of questions you can expect and it helps you to practise the skills you need to answer the questions. The book and accompanying CD contain a range of practical exercises to prepare you for all subtests. It comes complete with an answer key and a transcript of the CD recordings.
Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS
ISBN 0521 49767-1- Cambridge University Press
4 complete tests for the Academic Module plus extra reading and writing for the General Training Module
Book and cassettes
Cambridge IELTS 2
ISBN 0521 775310 - Cambridge University Press
4 complete tests prepared by UCLES
Book and cassettes
IELTS Practice Tests Plus
ISBN 0582 471699 - Longman
Complete tests plus additional practice material for the revised exam
Book and cassettes
Insight into IELTS Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS
ISBN 0521 011-485 - Cambridge University Press
Preparation course for IELTS
Book and cassettes
Passport to IELTS
ISBN 0134 053745 - Longman
Exam practice
Book and cassettes
Practice Tests for IELTS Revised Edition
ISBN 0646 300199 - LTS
Practice tests and exam strategies
Book and cassettes
Achieve IELTS (2nd edition)
Level 1 – ISBN 9781133313199 - Heinle ELT
Level 2 – ISBN 9781133313878
Student Books, Workbooks + Audio CD
IELTS Express (2nd edition)
Intermediate - ISBN 978133313069 - Heinle ELT
Upper Intermediate – ISBN 9781133313021
Student Books, Workbooks + Audio CD
IELTS Advantage
ISBN 9781905085620 - Heinle ELT
Writing Skills - Book
Achieve IELTS Grammar and Vocabulary
ISBN 9780462098975 - Heinle ELT
Book and Audio CD
Achieve IELTS Practice Test Book
ISBN 9780462000282 - Heinle ELT
Book and Audio CD
Exam Essentials: IELTS Practice Test50s
ISBN 97814130097 -Book and CD-Rom
A useful list of what to do, and what not to do, for the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking parts of the IELTS test. Read our Improve your IELTS score - dos and don'ts
Academic Reading
Academig Writing
General Training Reading
General Training Writing
Listening
Speaking
More online IELTS preparation resources
Below you will find a list of links to other websites which contain useful information for preparation. Please note that the British Council does not accept responsibility for contents of external websites.
OneStopEnglish IELTS Page
Exam tips and downloadable practice materials.
Independent Learning Center IELTS Test Preparation
Practice exercises for the Reading and Listening Modules and some excellent material on how to write about graphs for Writing Task 1 in the Academic Writing Module.
IELTS Preparation Hints
Useful hints and tips for the test.
IELTS Test Practice
Exam tips and free exercises for you to download.
Exam English – IELTS Reading Practice
Practice for the Reading Module.
Taking the IELTS Test
Some useful practice exercises.
Watch this series of videos to help you prepare for the speaking module of the IELTS test.
Information for teachers
Information for researchers
Information for organisations and institutions
The British Council does not accept responsibility for the content of external websites.
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