Best IELTS Preparation Books: Planning to study abroad is overwhelming as well as a stressful feat. There are times when you have to make tough decisions like choosing the best course for your higher studies and identifying the country and the right university offering that particular programme. Whatever course or country you choose, you are required to go through various English language proficiency tests to make the admission council fathom that you do not have any communication issues and are well-versed in the medium of instruction of your chosen course.
IELTS or International English Language Testing System is one of the most accepted English language ability tests which measures 4 important language skills: Reading, Writing, Language and Speaking. If you are heading to a university abroad that accepts IELTS, then let’s kick-start your journey towards a successful career by providing you with a list of the best IELTS preparation books.
This Blog Includes:
Best Books To Help You Score a Band 9 in IELTS: Top Picks of 2024
Here are some of the best books to help achieve a Band 9 score in IELTS. Have a look.
Individuals preparing for the IELTS Exam can refer to the following table to go through the list of the best IELTS preparation books.
Name of the Book | Author/Publisher | Price | Purchase Link |
The Official Cambridge Guide To Ielts Student’s Book With Answers | Pauline Cullen | INR 594 | Click Here To Buy |
R*barron’s Ielts Practice Exams | Lin Lougheed | INR 448 | Click Here To Buy |
IELTS Graphs from the past exam | Kiranpreet Kaur Makkar | INR 287 | Click Here To Buy |
Cambridge IELTS Academic 16 Student’s Book [paperback] Cambridge | Career Zone | INR 130 | Click Here To Buy |
Word Power Made Easy Including Latest Word List | Norman Lewis | INR 149 | Click Here To Buy |
IELTS WRITING ACADEMIC 2023 | Karamveer Singh | INR 299 | Click Here To Buy |
Cambridge IELTS 18 academic with authentic papers | Cambridge Press | INR 234 | Click Here To Buy |
Frequently Purchased Books for IELTS Preparation
While you gear up for IELTS, you ought to have the perfect notes and study materials to ace the exam. There are numerous high-quality books with all the relevant contents and audio files to accelerate your preparation for IELTS. Here are some of the popular books for IELTS preparation that you must have in your collection:
Barron’s IELTS Superpack
Barron’s IELTS Superpack comes with 3 manuals and 2 audio MP3 CDs to ace the listening section of IELTS. Rightly named a ‘Superpack’, the first audio guide includes various tips and strategies on how to crack IELTS, and the other CD contains ‘Barron’s Essential Words for IELTS preparation‘. Moreover, this Superpack provides you with sample practice and exercise sheets on listening, writing and reading aspects of the examination.
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
Covering both general training and academic papers, this IELTS study guide consists of a series of full-fledged practice tests, their answer keys (with explanation) along audio and video files to master the listening section. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is one of those books for IELTS preparation, that is based on the analysis and research of the actual IELTS exam-takers which helps the aspirants acquire first-hand information and some bonus tips to crack the examination.
Official IELTS Practice Materials
Using the preparation and practice materials issued by the British Council, who are the official partner for IELTS, you get the most authentic and accurate study guide for the IELTS exam. The book contains several volumes, all of which include audio and video CDs for practising the listening section. Based on the experience of the test-takers, the Official IELTS Practice Materials provide step-by-step guidance on answering the test successfully.
Collins English for IELTS
Containing a series of practice books for IELTS preparation, Collins English for IELTS focuses on the specific areas for improvement. Be it grammar or vocabulary in the reading, writing, listening or speaking sections, a book to master every skill would help the aspirants develop an intensive and deep understanding of all the aspects of the exam and how to answer particular questions for that part. With a student-friendly layout, the Collins English for IELTS aims to secure the IELTS score in the band 5.5 to 6.
Target Band 7: IELTS Academic Module: How to Maximize Your Score
Written by author Simone Braverman, ‘Target Band 7’ aims to maximise your IELTS score by pointing out and correcting even the smallest concerns which can greatly affect your score. Containing easy solutions to some of the most typical questions, this study guide comes under the list of best books for IELTS preparation, because it consists of the best and the most effective techniques of cracking IELTS directly coming from the experienced ones.
How to Choose the Right IELTS Books for Preparation?
Choosing the right IELTS prep books depends on a couple of factors:
- Your strengths and weaknesses: Are you a strong reader but struggling with speaking? Then target books that focus on speaking development. Look for books with sections dedicated to the areas you need the most improvement.
- Academic vs General Training: There are two IELTS formats – Academic and General Training. Pick books that align with the format you’re taking. Academic focuses on university-level skills, while General Training is for migration purposes.
- Your learning style: Do you prefer a comprehensive approach with all test aspects covered or a more specific focus on a particular skill? Some books offer general test prep, while others delve deeper into areas like writing or vocabulary building.
- Look for recent editions: IELTS test formats can change slightly over time, so ensure your study materials are up-to-date.
- Consider official materials: The British Council, co-owner of the IELTS test, publishes official practice materials with real exam questions.
- Read reviews and recommendations: Online reviews from past test-takers can offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different books.
- Don’t be afraid to mix and match: You might find a book great for vocabulary but another better for writing practice. Pick and choose what works for you.
5+ Tips to Help You Ace Your IELTS in 2024
Here are some of the best tips for you to ace your IELTS in 2024.
- Familiarise yourself with the structure of each section, question types, and time constraints.
- There’s no substitute for consistent practice. Look for practice tests that mimic the real exam format.
- Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Read English news articles, watch movies and TV shows, and listen to podcasts.
- Practice listening for specific details and keywords while ignoring extraneous information.
- Pay attention to introductions and opening sentences to understand the speaker’s main points.
- If you miss something, don’t dwell on it. Move on to the next part.
- Learn to quickly identify the main ideas and find specific information within the text.
- Keep abreast of the commonly asked questions to ace the test.
- Organise your writing with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion to score well in IELTS writing.
- Don’t just rely on basic sentences. Show off your range of language skills.
So that was all about the best IELTS preparation books. You can refer to these books anytime to improve your overall scores for your upcoming IELTS tests. We hope this blog has helped you clear your dilemma about which books to consider for your IELTS preparation.
FAQs
An intensive one-month preparation might work for some high-level English users familiar with the IELTS format. However, for others, a longer study period is necessary.
The typical preparation time for IELTS varies depending on your target score. It normally takes 1-2 months to achieve a band of 6.0. If you need a band of 7.0 or higher, especially with minimum sub-scores of 7 each, a longer study period of 8-12 months is recommended.
Achieving a band 6.5 on the IELTS is possible for dedicated non-native speakers with a well-structured study plan incorporating daily practice activities. While it may not be easy, consistent effort and utilizing real-world applications of English skills can significantly improve your chances of success.
Visit the Leverage Live page of Leverage edu or contact our study abroad experts at 1800-57-2000 to strengthen your scores and application to secure your spot in your dream college.