IELTS | Test Takers - How do I prepare?

There’s a range of materials to help you prepare for your IELTS test.

Firstly, download the free Information for Candidates booklet (PDF, 935KB) which provides an explanation of the test.

Official IELTS Practice Materials

IELTS has official practice materials to help you understand the format of the test and the types of questions. There are two volumes of the Official IELTS Practice Materials:

• Vol. 1 Official IELTS Practice Materials (with CD)            
• Vol. 2 Official IELTS Practice Materials (with DVD)

Both volumes of the practice material offer samples of the Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking modules with sample answers and Examiner comments. The CD in Vol. 1 offers samples of the Listening test and the DVD in Vol. 2 shows candidates taking the Speaking test.

The Official IELTS Practice Materials Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are the only IELTS practice materials endorsed by the IELTS partners. You can order your Official IELTS Practice Materials in one of three ways:  

• place an order online from IELTS in Australia (XLS, 1.6MB)
• place an order online from IELTS in the UK (XLS, 1.6MB)
• through your local test centre

Sample questions online

Try some free sample questions online. These sample questions will give you an idea of what to expect in the Reading, Writing and Speaking modules.

IELTS preparation courses

Some IELTS centres have workshops to help you prepare for your test. Talk to your local IELTS test centre for details. Preparation courses may also be offered by language schools in your country.