IELTS Study Books

Determination, positive thinking and the desire to learn is expected while preparing for the IELTS exam. Along with the right set of IELTS preparation books, it becomes easier to get the desired band score. With a lot of options available, one can get confused which book to choose. So here is a list of some of the best IELTS preparation books that will help you in your IELTS test preparation.

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS – This IELTS practice book will help you prepare for both IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic Modules.

• This book tackles with all four skills of the test (listening, reading, writing, speaking) in separate sections.
• The book provides official IELTS practice tests with detailed answer keys that will give anyone a clear explanation that can help improve IELTS band scores. Along with this book, you will get a DVD that includes listening portions as MP3 audio tracks as well as speaking test videos.

New insight into IELTS – This book covers two modules: IELTS academic and IELTS general training.

• The book is further split into four parts of the IELTS exam: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• The book gives the detailed introduction to the test and contains test papers in each section with answer keys.
• The book also comes with an audio CD.

Barron’s Supe-rpack – Barron’s Super-pack consists of three IELTS manual with MP3 CD, IELTS Practice Exams book with two audio CD’s for listening section, IELTS Strategies and Tips booklet with MP3 CD and the Essential Words for the IELTS guide. These will help you improve your vocabulary.

• Every section in the book is explained in detail. The techniques described will help you in understanding the subject.

Barron’s Writing for the IELTS – This book focuses on two sections: IELTS academic and IELTS general training. This book follows the criteria of IELTS writing test –

• Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2) – You will learn how to create an essay using three-step model, i.e., plan, write and revise.

• Coherence and Cohesion – You will learn to organise your writing and link ideas.

• Lexical Resource  – You will develop your vocabulary and spelling.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – You will learn about grammar rules and punctuation.

Target Band 7 – This book is written by a former IELTS test-taker, Simone Braverman. This book tackles with each of the four sections of the IELTS test: listening, reading, writing, speaking.

• It provides useful tips and tricks to improve your vocabulary and get a higher score on the exam.

Ace the IELTS –  This book mainly focuses on IELTS general training.  Ace the IELTS is the second book by the former test taker, Simone Braverman.

• The book tackles with all four skills of the test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) in separate sections.
• The listening recording has a transcript, and the answers are underlined in sentences.
• Ace the IELTS  consists of a record of a real student taking the speaking test.
• The recording comes with a transcript and an examiner’s commentary explaining the reasons for the candidates’ band score.

The Cambridge IELTS 12 – It is a Self-Study Pack that consists of latest Cambridge IELTS Student’s Book with Answers and also comes with audio CD’s. Cambridge IELTS 12 provides students with an opportunity to understand IELTS and to practise examination techniques using test material.

• You can choose an edition containing either four complete tests for Academic or General Training module.
• Each version includes a section of tapescripts and answers, including models and samples for all the Writing tasks.
• It also contains a helpful introduction outlining the IELTS format and its scoring system used by Cambridge English Language Assessment.

IELTS Practice Tests Plus 2 – This book is suitable for self-study, language proficiency test preparation, and developing listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.

• It contains six full practice academic tests, with three audio CDs featuring listening tests. It includes answers, transcripts, strategies, and additional reading and writing for General Training.

Road to IELTS  – The British Council offers this guide. It is an online course for both the modules: Academic and General Training. The book is available in three versions –

• Test drive version – It is free for download and tells you about IELTS test.

• Last minute version – It is accessible for free to those who register to give the IELTS test with the British Council.

• Full version – You need to pay around INR 3,300 to get access to this version. It is self-explanatory. It provides the online course with more than 300 interactive activities and nine practice tests. It consists of tutorial videos highlighting do’s and don’ts by experts from the British Council. Practice zones with e-books to prepare you in all the four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and sample videos with tips to score highest in the exam are also available.

This guide provides a section that will help you compare yourself with other students worldwide and a profile section to remind you of your test date.

How to Prepare for IELTS – This guide is by the British Council. This is suitable for home study and use in class. This guide also comes in the form of a CD. The book and CD contains practise test along with answer keys and transcript of recordings to improve in all the four skills.

Collins Vocabulary for IELTS – This is a self-study course for learners of English who want to take the IELTS Academic test.

• The book improves your vocabulary in all four exam papers: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• Each unit has practice tests similar to the actual IELTS exam.
• Each unit contains activities that will help you develop vocabulary knowledge.
• The book highlights essential vocabulary-related learning strategies and exam techniques.

Collins Speaking for IELTS – Speaking for IELTS is divided into 12 units. Each unit focuses on a topic that you are going to get in the IELTS exam.

• Units 1 to 11 covers vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and exam techniques that prepare you for the IELTS Speaking test. Unit 12 provides a final practice for IELTS Speaking test.

• You will also find the answer key for all sections of the book and full audio scripts of all speaking practice test at the back of the book. There are sample answers for all the IELTS Speaking test questions recorded on the CDs.

IELTS High Score Vocabulary List – This book includes a list of words that will help improve your Vocabulary.

• The book also contains synonyms and antonyms for easy understanding and helps you score higher in IELTS exam.