Free Online Resources for IELTS preparation

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Nov 28, 2024 15:52 IST

Preparing for the IELTS exam requires a strategic approach that includes utilizing the best resources, books, and apps available. Candidates should explore free downloadable materials, such as IELTS preparation PDFs, which offer structured guidance and practice exercises.

IELTS Best Resources

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a crucial examination for students and professionals looking to study or work in English-speaking countries. Preparing for this IELTS test can be challenging, but with the right resources, candidates can significantly enhance their chances of achieving a high score. The article includes the best resources, books, and apps for IELTS preparation, focusing on options that are free or available for download, as well as highlighting the best books for self-study.

For those who is looking for IELTS preparation materials, numerous free IELTS preparation books and study guides are available online. These IELTS resources often come in PDF format, making them easily accessible to anyone. Additionally, aspiring test-takers can benefit from various online platforms that offer free practice tests and exercises tailored to the IELTS format. Check the the best book for IELTS preparation that aligns with the latest exam patterns and requirements.

Books for IELTS Preparation

Any test prep is incomplete without good books. With a deluge of books in the market, the students tend to get confused. It is always advisable for the students not to pick up too many resources for their preparation as it might lead to confusion. The students will do well if they revise the books/notes multiple times and attempt practice tests. Some of the important books for IELTS preparation have been mentioned below:

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Q:   Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?

A:

Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students

Q:   How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

A:

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

  • Know the exam pattern
  • Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
  • Solve previous year question papers
  • Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
  • Revise regularly
  • Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

Q:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses: 

The Undergraduate Application Process:  

Step 1:  You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.

Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements. 

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS. 

Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.

Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

The Postgraduate application process: 

Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\

Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

Step 5:  If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?

A:

Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024. 

  • Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
  • Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
  • A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
  • Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024

Q:   What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?

A:

University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.

  • Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
  1. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
  2. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
  3. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
  4. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
  5. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
  6. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
  7. #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
  • Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
  • Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD    is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
  • High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.

Q:   What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?

A:

The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:

Ranking Body Ranking
The Guardian University Guide 2024 #101
The Complete University Guide 2024#117
  1. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is the best book, to begin with, for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The book will help you understand the pattern of the test and practice all the types of questions asked in different sections of the examination. The skill-building exercises along with eight practice tests will provide you with sufficient questions to practice. The book comes with CDs that will help you prepare for the speaking and reading sections. The book contains real IELTS candidates’ answers, along with suggestions and tips to improve your scores, and this is what separates this book from the others.

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  1. Cambridge Grammar for IELTS: The book has been popular with students from non-English-speaking regions. It contains lessons and sufficient exercises that will help you get a stronghold on grammar. It caters to both Academic and General Training.

  1. Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS: This book will help you improve your vocabulary and improve your score. The entire book is divided into chapters that contain practice exercises. At the end of each chapter, there are tasks from either listening, reading, or writing sections of the IELTS exam. The book can prove to be your excellent study partner in your self-preparation.

  1. Barron’s IELTS Superpack: It is highly detailed and comprehensive. This Superpack is a three-book set that provides practice tests, audio, and reviews to help you prepare comprehensively. Barron’s Superpack is usually recommended for those who have more than 3 weeks to prepare for the exam. The best part about this pack is that it covers both the academic and the general modules. The overall package contains:

    • Academic module practice papers
    • General module practice papers
    • Subject review
    • Audio tracks
    • Essential Words
  1. Target Band 7 by Simone Braverman: This is a wonderful self-study book that will help you prepare in a few weeks of time. The book has been authored by Simone Braverman who herself has scored very well on the IELTS exams. The author also has a blog, the link for which is provided here: https://www.ielts-blog.com/

  1. Mometrix Test Preparation's IELTS Book for General Training and Academic: This book covers all the sections of the IELTS exam. It provides good practice papers, tips, techniques, and video tutorials to help students ace the exams.

Best Apps for IELTS Exam Preparation

The IELTS exam prep apps can help a student prepare for the exam when he is on the move or when he is revising and attempting some extra practice questions. We have compiled a list of the top 5 apps that will help students prepare for the IELTS exam. Students must note that these apps only serve as a complimentary resource to the IELTS preparation books and cannot be used as base resources.

  1. IELTS Prep App by the British Council: The app needs no introduction for IELTS test takers. The app has excellent study material for all the sections of the IELTS exam. It provides you with practice exercises and tests, including listening and speaking tests.

  1. IELTS Exam Preparation, Lessons & Study Guide by Magoosh: Magoosh is a well-known brand in the field of test prep. This app provides high-quality material that will help in improving vocabulary, practising mock tests, and much more. There are video tutorials as well.

  1. IELTS Practice & IELTS Test (Band 9): The app provides IELTS tests, vocabulary-building words, writing tasks, speaking tasks, etc. No test prep is complete without mock tests. The IELTS Practice & IELTS Test (Band 9) app helps you practice questions so that you are confident on the real test day.

  1. Spotify: Yes, Spotify. Why? IELTS has a listening section as well where you are supposed to answer 40 questions. For that, you need to familiarize yourself with the accent of native speakers. You can listen to good podcasts on Spotify to improve your listening skills. There are extremely informative and inspirational podcasts that will not only help you improve your listening skills, but also keep you pumped up during the course of your preparation. What is better than preparing and simultaneously getting motivated?

  1. IELTS 5000 Words: This app is for those who wish to improve their vocabulary in order to score better on the IELTS. The app has a very user-friendly interface. Full definitions, sample usage, and pronunciation are given for all the words. Daily new words are also added to the app. If you are travelling and want to learn a few words, this is the app of your choice.

Additional Resources for IELTS Preparation

Still not satisfied with IELTS preparation books? We are mentioning a few more resources that will help you get those extra points in your exam.

  1. Cambly App: Cambly app connects you with native English speakers over a live video chat. You can improve your pronunciation and communication skills with this app. It will help you improve your performance in the listening and speaking sections of the IELTS.

  1. IELTS Official website: https://www.ielts.org/ Everything that you want to know about IELTS starts from here. Before even picking up the books, you must go through this website thoroughly and understand what IELTS is all about. The website provides sample test questions for all the sections, official IELTS practice tests, official IELTS practice materials, and much more. Make sure that you keep visiting the website from time to time and complete the study material and questions that have been provided.

Best website for IELTS preparation Free

Here are some of the best websites for free IELTS preparation that can help you enhance your skills and confidence before taking the exam:

  1. British Council (takeielts.britishcouncil.org)
  2. Cambridge English (cambridgeenglish.org)
  3. IELTS.org
  4. IDP IELTS (idpielts.me)
  5. IELTS Liz (ieltsliz.com)
  6. IELTS Buddy (ieltsbuddy.com)
  7. Shiksha Study Abroad (Shikshastudyabroad.com)
  8. EngVid (engvid.com)
  9. IELTS Advantage (ieltsadvantage.com)
  10. IELTS Practice Online (ieltspracticeonline.com)

There is no shortage of study material, however, your goal should not be to collect the study material, but to score well on the exam. It is advisable that you should complete the syllabus, practice sample questions, and do multiple revisions in order to score well on the test.

Best IELTS Resources FAQs

Q: Which IELTS prep book is the best?

A. The best IELTS prep book often recommended is The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS. It covers all four sections of the test and includes practice tests with detailed explanations. Other great options include Barron's IELTS Superpack and Target Band 7, which focus on strategies to achieve higher band scores.

Q: Which app is best for IELTS preparation?

A. For IELTS preparation, the British Council's IELTS Prep App is highly regarded. It offers practice tests, tips, and real test samples. Another excellent choice is Magoosh's IELTS Prep App, known for its engaging video lessons and practice questions. The IDP Education's IELTS Preparation App also provides personalized study plans and extensive materials.

Q: What is the best resource for IELTS?

A. One of the best resources for IELTS preparation is the Cambridge English Official Resources, which provide authentic practice experiences. Additionally, website like Shiksha Study Abroad offer free resources, tips, and sample questions tailored specifically for the exam. YouTube channels such as E2Language also provide valuable content on test strategies.

Q: What is the best material to study for IELTS?

A. The best materials to study for IELTS include full-length practice tests, which help familiarize you with the exam format. Using vocabulary-building tools like the IELTS Word Power app can enhance your language skills. Additionally, grammar guides such as "English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy are beneficial for improving writing skills.

About the Author
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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content

Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new... Read Full Bio

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