16 Best Books For IELTS Preparation

What are the best books for the IELTS exam? If you are getting ready for the IELTS test, look at some of the top test preparation options below. 

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System, and the British Council runs it. This is a standardized test typically recommended for non-native English speakers to prove proficient English. The exam takes less than three hours, and it tests your ability to speak, write, read, and listen to English.

It is a challenging exam, so it is vital to prepare accordingly. General training and IELTS practice tests can be helpful, but you may also benefit from IELTS practice books.

Popular Books For IELTS 

Take a look at some of the best books for the IELTS exam below.

1. The Official Cambridge Guide To IELTS

One of the best books for IELTS preparation is The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS. This book provides a lot of helpful hints and tips from people who have passed the exam themselves.

The book is also conveniently laid out with a step-by-step guide that will help you prepare for the exam. The book covers everything from how to tackle different types of questions to how to ensure your mind is ready for test day. It contains materials that will help score well on everything from the IELTS writing test to the IELTS speaking test.

Some of the most significant advantages of this book include:

• The book contains helpful test-taking tips from people who have taken the exam themselves.
• This book has materials to help you prepare for all test sections.
• The package comes with a DVD with listening and speaking tests.
• There are eight full-length IELTS practice exams to help you prepare. 

2. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7

If you want to achieve the highest score possible, you might be interested in Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7. While this study package contains a lot of tutorials, strategies, and materials, everything is explained clearly in a way the average learner can understand. It includes solutions to common obstacles, challenges, and pitfalls you will probably encounter on exam day.

In addition, the package contains a lot of tips from former students and reviews from prior users who all endorse it as one of the best materials for IELTS preparation. Even though it does not have any complete IELTS exams, it is still valuable study material. 

Some of the top advantages of this study package include:

• The book gives you a detailed breakdown of using your time effectively on exam day.
• All of the material has been presented in an easy-to-read and understood format.
• The book was written by someone with experience taking the exam themselves. 

3. The Barron’s IELTS Superpack

The Barron’s IELTS Superpack comes with various strategies and tips to help you crush the test. This is ideal for beginners, academic students, and professionals because it contains study materials that address everything on the exam from various angles. This allows you to customize your study strategies to meet your needs. 

Some of the top benefits of using this super pack include:

• The package comes with two full-length practice exams.
• Two audio CDs can help you with the listening portion of the test.
• The super pack contains a list of essential words to help you get the most value for your study time.

4. Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Student’s Book With Answers

An authentic examination paper will give you a firm idea of what you should expect when you arrive on exam day. The Cambridge IELTS series is one of the most well-respected study options, and this is one of the most recent versions – released in 2020. This book is explicitly aimed at IELTS academic students.

The package contains four tests in addition to a meticulous answer key. This will help you prepare for every exam section, clearly explaining why specific answers are correct and other answers are not. The tips are also organized clearly, allowing you to prepare individually for the IELTS listening, speaking, reading, and writing sections. 

A few advantages of this Cambridge study material include:

• All exam tips are broken up into sections, helping develop a strategy to address each exam portion. 
• The study material explains how to address different styles of questions to enhance your preparation.
• This is one of the most detailed study materials available. 

5. IELTS Trainer

The best way to prepare for the IELTS test is to take practice exams. The IELTS Trainer will give you a helpful in-depth study guide containing step-by-step advice on addressing specific questions and papers. Then, it will share tips from other successful test-takers that you can apply to your study habits.

This is one of the best books for IELTS preparation because it contains six full-length practice tests that will also help you build up the mental endurance to tackle the IELTS exam. It has questions of all types, a detailed breakdown of how to answer them, and common mistakes and pitfalls you need to avoid.

A few advantages of this study option include:

• It contains audio CDs for listening tests.
• The package comes with full-length practice tests that address all facets of the actual exams.
• The exams also come with the answer key to see why specific answers are correct, and other answers are wrong.
• The package comes with a guide to help you address test papers. 

6. The Road To IELTS

If you are more of a visual or an interactive learner, you may be looking for an IELTS online course. The Road to IELTS provides you with access to tutorial videos, mock papers, and numerous other interactive exercises. The lesson will keep you engaged, preventing you from zoning out as you read through your study materials.

If you register to take the test through the British Council, you will also access numerous other videos and activities. The package includes an online course, nine practice tests with answer keys, and hundreds of activities that can help you enhance your learning.

Some of the advantages of this option include:

• It gives you nine practice tests that help you see what the actual test is like.
• This is an engaging study option that will hold your attention. 
• You can access countless other free study materials if you register through the Britsh Council. 

7. Check Your English Vocabulary For IELTS

Even though Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS does not come with any practice papers or full-length exams, it is still a beneficial tool to have in your arsenal. This vocabulary book will help you quickly and easily expand your glossary before the exam. It contains a lot of vocabulary words, and it is suitable for anyone from beginners to advanced learners.

Keep in mind that this is not comprehensive study material, so you will need to use other resources to help you prepare for different portions of the test, such as practice tests and audio CDs.

Some of the advantages of this test preparation book include:

• This is a simple tool you can use to help you expand your vocabulary.
• All of the words have been laid out with short definitions that are easy to understand and remember.
• It is suitable for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced learners. 

8. The Mometrix IELTS Book For General Training And Academic 2021 – 2022

The Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2021 –  2022 is one of the most comprehensive study guides. It contains helpful tips and comprehensive strategies to help you pass the exam. The package also includes video tutorials, practice test questions, and advice from prior test-takers. 

All of the information is incredibly detailed and laid out in a way that is easy to understand. As you go through your study sessions, you can organize the tips, apply them to specific questions, and learn from your mistakes. This can help you maximize your score on exam day. 

A few advantages of this test preparation option include:

• It covers all four areas of the actual IELTS exam.
• There are detailed video tutorials to help you master complex exam topics.
• It gives you a breakdown of the different types of questions and how to answer them successfully. 
• All of the information has been laid out in a way that is easy to understand. 

9. IELTS 5 In 1 Actual Tests eBook Combo

If you are looking for an eBook, the IELTS 5 in 1 Tests eBook Combo is one of the most comprehensive options available. It contains five separate eBooks that will cover all four sections of the IELTS exam. Each academic module will address a different test area, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

All of the answers have been provided by IELTS experts who have experience taking the exam themselves. Furthermore, this is an interactive study material that will hold your attention. It will go through different tips and tricks you can use to avoid common mistakes and raise your score on test day.

A few advantages of this test preparation option include:

• It contains 35 reading tests and 41 listening tests, all of which come with detailed answers and explanations.
• There are a few essay ideas that you can use to practice papers.
• The package comes with dozens of questions and answers for writing task one and writing task two.

10. Focus On IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook

If you are a beginner, you need to develop the skills necessary to do well on the exam. FOCUS on IELTS Foundation is a comprehensive coursebook that contains everything you need to know to go from no knowledge to enough knowledge to pass the test.

It comes with a critical language bank, ancillary study materials, and projects to help you progress on test day and outside the classroom. It also contains a list of comprehensive strategies to ensure you do well on the exam. It is a study material that has been designed for learning in the classroom, but it could be a helpful test preparation option as well.

Some of the advantages of this study material include:

• It comes with a listening CD that will help you prepare for the IELTS listening test.
• It is also beneficial for practicing English outside of the IELTS exam.
• This package comes with complete projects that will help you apply your knowledge to other areas. 

11. IELTS Advantage Writing Skills: A Step-By-Step Guide to a High IELTS Writing Score

IELTS Advantage Writing Skills: A Step-By-Step Guide to a High IELTS Writing Score is one of the most popular books for improving your writing skills for the IELTS. It’s a stepped guide packed with tips and practice exercises. 

The book was written by experienced IELTS teachers with decades of experience preparing students for exams. It’s laid out in an effective manner that guides you through a detailed preparation process. The book keeps the exercises fresh by using interesting topics and newspaper extracts. 

Some of the most significant advantages of this book include:

• Step-by-step guide for hitting a high score in the writing section of the IELTS. 
• The use of real-world topics within the exercises makes you feel like you’re writing something that matters, not just preparing for an exam. 
• Grammar explanations throughout the book to help students improve sentence structures. 

12. IELTS 18 Academic Student’s Book with Answers

IELTS 18 Academic Student’s Book with Answers is an examination preparation textbook updated for the 2023 IELTS. Working your way through the mock exams in this textbook will help you know exactly what to expect when you sit the actual exam. 

The book includes four complete exam papers and a downloadable audio package with speaking and listening tests. Therefore, this book covers every area in the exam, making it a very good tool to include in your exam preparation plan. 

A few advantages of this test preparation textbook include:

• Contains four entire exams with answers. 
• The included audio files allow you to practice both the oral and auditory sections of the IELTS. 
• The test explanation sections give you a detailed insight into how the exam is structured and what examiners are looking for from students. 

13. IELTS Academic Reading Practice: Student Book

IELTS Academic Reading Practice: Student Book is a reading practice textbook that breaks down the reading section of the IELTS into 14 different sections. Breaking down the reading exam helps you focus on specific techniques to help you pass. 

Every section contains three sections that provide you with an understanding of the task, prepare you, and then put your knowledge to the test. If you’ve been struggling with the reading section of the IELTS, then this book can help you identify where you’re falling short and help you fill gaps in your knowledge. 

A few advantages of this reading preparation option include:

• Detailed breakdown of the IELTS reading section. 
• Clear three-step process for improving specific areas of your reading skills. 
• Plenty of extra activities give the reader the opportunity to expand their knowledge. 

14. IELTS Vocabulary Masterclass 8.5 Master Phrasal Verbs, Essay Vocabulary, Graph Vocabulary & Speaking Vocabulary

IELTS Vocabulary Masterclass 8.5 Master Phrasal Verbs, Essay Vocabulary, Graph Vocabulary & Speaking Vocabulary is a vocabulary booster designed to help you hit the higher score bands in the IELTS exam. This book is a solid way to expand your vocabulary with words and phrases that native speakers use. 

The book’s target is students who are aiming for higher IELTS scores. The exercises are designed to focus on phrasal verbs, essay words, and graph vocab, which will help you in the exam and real-life conversations. 

Some of the most significant advantages of this book include:

• A useful tool for building your vocabulary with native phrases and words. 
• A good resource for students who want to improve their IELTS scores by using more technical terms in essays. 
• A variety of exercises that help you learn and correctly implement new vocabulary. 

15. IELTS 5 Practice Tests, Academic Set 6 Tests No. 26-30: 11 (High Scorer’s Choice)

IELTS 5 Practice Tests, Academic Set 6 Tests No. 26-30: 11 (High Scorer’s Choice) is a test practice book that contains five full-length IELTS exams with updates added based on the 2023 changes to the IELTS. The book also includes downloadable content for the speaking and listening sections. 

Completing the practice tests and examining your mistakes will be a massive boost to your exam preparation. A particularly useful aspect of this book is the writing section, where you’ll find model answers with explanations as to why they would score high in the exam. 

Advantages of this test preparation option include:

• Five practice exams with explanations designed to push you towards hitting a higher score. 
• Model writing answers give the reader a template to work with for achieving a higher score. 
• Reading practice includes model answers that explain why the answers are correct instead of just showing the answers. 

16. IELTS Speaking Masterclass: Proven Strategies for an 8+ Band Score

IELTS Speaking Masterclass: Proven Strategies for an 8+ Band Score is a guide to improving your speaking skills before sitting the exam. The book is based on research into high-scoring speaking students and provides a detailed breakdown of what separates a decent speaking score from a very good score. 

If you’re aiming high in the IELTS speaking section, this masterclass’s tips and practice sections can help you tidy up your technique. The book contains over 200 speaking exercises and has been revised in 2023 based on changes to the IELTS. 

A few advantages of this speaking masterclass book include:

• Hundreds of exercises to help you push your speaking skills into the highest IELTS band. 
• A step-by-step guide to the second half of the IELTS speaking section. 
• Includes vocabulary-expanding exercises and detailed grammar explanations. 

The Final Word On The Best Books For IELTS

The IELTS exam is challenging, and you need to do everything you can to put yourself in the best position to pass the test on the first attempt. Therefore, you should use the study materials above to develop a comprehensive strategy.

Everyone has a slightly different learning style, so you need to compare the benefits and drawbacks of each option to figure out what works best for you. As long as you have a strategy in mind, you can increase your score, expand your knowledge base, and prepare accordingly for test day. 

FAQs About The Best Books For IELTS

Further Reading

If you enjoyed this list of the best books for IELTS, you might also enjoy our round-up of the best essay writing apps for students and academics. 

You may also be interested in our guide on great essay writing topics for students.