15 Best Books to Prepare for IELTS

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12 November 2024

English-learners

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

One of the most popular English language certificates is IELTS — International English Language Testing System, which is required for studying, working or immigrating to English-speaking countries. To obtain it, you must pass a special exam. Preparing for English exams to obtain an IELTS certificate requires significant effort.

Choosing the best books to prepare for IELTS is key, and the Dinternal Education online store offers a wide range of them.

How to Find the Best Textbooks to Prepare for IELTS on Your Own

When choosing a textbook to prepare for IELTS, it is important to consider several factors that will help you choose the most suitable material depending on your level of English, goals, and learning style. Here are some of our recommendations on how to choose the best textbook to prepare for IELTS on your own:

Take an English proficiency test - this will help you choose books that match your current level of preparation.
Consider the exam format. IELTS consists of four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. When choosing a textbook, make sure it covers all sections of the exam or focuses on those parts that require special attention in your case.
Read teacher reviews and user opinions.Reviews will help you learn about the advantages and disadvantages of a particular textbook, and ratings and recommendations will help you better understand which textbooks to use to prepare for IELTS.
Pay attention to the availability of real IELTS practice tests. This will give you the opportunity not only to practice, but also to get used to the exam format, understand the structure of the questions and learn how to manage your time.
Check the relevance of the publication. From time to time, the international IELTS exam is updated, the requirements and format change.
Evaluate the price-quality ratio. The high cost of a book does not always mean its high quality.
Combining textbooks with online platforms, mobile applications and video lessons will diversify the learning process and strengthen all language skills.

Following these recommendations and tips, you will be able to independently choose a textbook that best suits your needs and will help you achieve a high result.

TOP 15 best textbooks for IELTS preparation

Preparing for the IELTS exam requires the use of high-quality textbooks. They will help you quickly master the necessary skills and improve your English proficiency. For effective preparation for IELTS, we provide an overview of 15 popular textbooks with a brief analysis:

Cambridge IELTS Series (1–17), representing collections of official IELTS tests (contains real exam tasks from previous years).
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is a textbook from the creators of the exam, which covers all aspects of preparation and contains tips for each module.
Barron’s IELTS Superpack. The set contains strategies, exercises and two full practice tests with audio.
IELTS Trainer (Cambridge University Press), containing six full exam tests and tips for completing the tasks, with detailed analysis of each of the exam modules.
Target Band 7 by Simone Braverman. The book contains tips and strategies to help you achieve the result you need.
Road to IELTS (British Council), including interactive exercises, videos and tips for each of the sections.
IELTS Practice Tests Plus (1–3) is a course book with real exam tasks and explanations of how to avoid common mistakes (includes audio files and answer keys).
Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS is a practical guide to expanding your vocabulary, including a variety of exercises to consolidate vocabulary.
IELTS Academic Writing: From Sentence to Paragraph is a specialized guide to the Writing section.
Collins English for IELTS is a series of textbooks that focus on individual aspects of preparation (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
Improve Your IELTS Series (Macmillan) is a series of three books, each of which is devoted to one of the main modules: Writing, Reading, Listening & Speaking. Feature - includes practical tasks and strategies for successfully completing tasks.
IELTS Advantage Series is a set of textbooks for in-depth study of written and spoken English.
Expert IELTS 5 is a set consisting of student textbooks and a teacher's book. Designed to prepare for the international IELTS exam level 5 (B1+).
Expert IELTS 6 — the set includes a textbook, a manual, a student workbook and a teacher's book. Designed for level 6 (B2). Contains exercises to prepare for the exam, as well as a mock test and a full practical exam.
Expert IELTS 7.5 — a set similar to those described above, but designed to prepare for the exam level 7.5 (C1). The set includes student textbooks and a teacher's book.

For those who are preparing to pass the exam in a short time and are aiming for a high result, experts recommend using the popular Expert IELTS textbook, aimed at in-depth preparation in all four key skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking. The features of the Expert IELTS book are the presence of authentic materials, preparation strategies, additional exercises. In addition to Expert IELTS, you should choose a high-quality textbook on English grammar.

To make your preparation for IELTS as effective as possible, it is important to familiarize yourself with a more detailed description of each of the books presented, take into account all their pros and cons, compare them with other manuals and choose a textbook that matches your level of knowledge and goals. You should also pay attention to the reliability of the binding of the textbook, which ensures its durability.

Preparation for the exam and preliminary testing

Preparation for IELTS is a multi-level process that includes not only the study of theoretical material, but also the practical development of all four skills:

reading;
writing;
listening;
speaking.

Effective preparation starts with identifying your current level of English and setting realistic goals. At this stage, it is useful to take a pre-test to understand which areas require more attention. Pre-testing helps you:

assess your initial level of English;
develop a study strategy;
get used to the exam format.

Regularly taking practice tests throughout your IELTS preparation allows you to track your improvements and adjust your study plan depending on your results.

There are many resources for taking pre-tests, including both printed textbooks and online platforms. Many of the best IELTS preparation books include practice tests with answers and explanations, which allows you to effectively analyze your mistakes and, ultimately, improve your results.