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IELTS preparation materials will take you through each IELTS test section and question type for your preparation on the road to IELTS. 

Just like the actual test, the preparation materials include all four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. 

For each skill you will:

  • learn about the test format - how many questions and how much time you should spend on each question

  • learn what question types to expect

  • see examples of questions and sample answers

  • get tips on how to improve your band score

You can also choose from our range of practice materials to assist you in your IELTS journey.

Check out this complete prep guide and know exactly what to expect.

Free IELTS practice materials

At IDP, we offer a wide variety of materials and information to help test takers improve their chances in their upcoming test. Some of these resources are free to all and can be found on IELTS Prepare – our one-stop shop for all official IDP IELTS preparation materials.

Listening

The IELTS Academic Listening test is identical to the IELTS General Test. The Listening test will evaluate your capacity to comprehend the key points, specific information, opinions, goals and attitudes of the speakers, as well as your capacity to follow a conversation.

In the Listening test, you will listen to 4 recordings, and you will then have to respond to 40 questions based on these recordings. The first two recordings cover topics that you can encounter on a daily basis. The next two recordings focus on scenarios that could happen in a training or educational setting. You will hear each recording once, and they will alternate between monologues and conversations with native speakers.

Reading

IELTS Academic Reading

The IELTS Academic Reading test assesses a wide range of reading skills including your ability to follow an argument, recognise a writer’s opinion, attitude or purpose. It looks at how well you can read to understand main ideas, details, opinions and implied meanings. Your reading comprehension skills are tested, covering skimming, scanning and reading for detail.

The Academic Reading test is made up of 3 long texts which are taken from current books, journals, magazines and newspapers. The texts are related to topics you might face if you were to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level or apply for professional registration in an English-speaking environment.

IELTS General Training Reading

The IELTS General Training Reading test requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter daily in an English-speaking environment. The test includes three parts; Part 1 contains two to three short texts, Part 2 contains two texts and Part 3 contains one longer text.

Writing

The questions in the Academic Writing test are different from those in the General Training Writing test. However, both tests are made up of two tasks, Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2.

Speaking

The IELTS Speaking assesses your use of spoken English, and the test is the same for both the General Training test and the Academic test. Each Speaking test is conducted face-to-face by an IELTS-certified examiner, and every test is recorded in case further review is necessary.

The Speaking test consists of 3 parts where you will discuss a variety of topics.

How to prepare for IELTS by myself?

IDP provides a comprehensive range of free preparation materials to assist test-takers in achieving their desired band score on their upcoming test and help them prepare for the test day from the comfort of their homes.

IELTS preparation tutorial

Before you take your IELTS on Computer test, it is better to get familiar with the test format. Remember, if you choose to take the IELTS on Computer test, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing components using a desktop computer. The Speaking test, however, will still be carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS Examiner.

Introduction to IELTS

IELTS Listening

IELTS Reading

IELTS Writing

Also, check out the IELTS test video preparation materials and enjoy videos and webinars from former test takers, IELTS experts and leading universities. Learn from their insights on the IELTS test experience.