Best Resources (Books and Apps) for IELTS Preparation for; www.ielts.org

Best Books for IELTS Exam 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:

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 the 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Barron’s IELTS Superpack

It is highly detailed and comprehensive. This Superpack is a three-book set that provides practice tests, audios, and reviews to help you prepare comprehensively. The overall package contains:

• Academic module practice papers
• General module practice papers
• Subject review
• Audio tracks
• Essential Words

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.

5. 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/

6. 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 the students prepare for the IELTS exam.

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.

2. 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, practicing mock tests, and much more. There are video tutorials as well.

3. 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.

4. 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 the 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?

5. 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 definition, sample usage, and pronunciation are given for all the words. Daily new words are also added to the app. If you are traveling and want to learn a few words, this is the app of your choice.

Additional Resources

Still not satisfied? 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.

2. 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.

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.