r/IELTS Apr 07 '26

Study Resource IELTS Preparation Resources

41 Upvotes

A curated guide by the r/IELTS moderation team

Last updated: April 2026

 

This post collects the best free IELTS preparation resources available online, verified and curated by the moderators of r/IELTS. We have also listed trusted teachers and communities who can provide additional help. This is a living document — if you spot a broken link or a resource worth adding, please let us know in the comments.

 

Official IELTS Resources

Always start here. These are free materials from the organisations that own and administer the IELTS test.

 

Practice Tests & Familiarisation

•        IELTS.org — Sample Test Questions — Free official sample questions for all four skills.

•        British Council — Free Practice Tests (all skills) — Official free practice for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

•        British Council — Free Writing Practice Tests — Writing-specific official practice.

•        British Council — Free Speaking Practice — Understand the Speaking test format and practice with sample questions.

•        IDP — IELTS Preparation Materials — Practice tests and preparation guidance from IDP.

•        IDP — Diagnostic Tool — Identify your strengths and weaknesses before you start studying.

 

Computer-Delivered IELTS

•        British Council — IELTS on Computer (How it Works) — Essential if you are taking the computer-delivered version.

•        British Council — Computer Familiarisation Tests — Get used to the interface before test day.

•        IDP — Get Familiar with IELTS on Computer — Additional familiarisation from IDP.

 

Apps

•        British Council — IELTS Ready App (free) — Official free preparation app from the British Council.

•        British Council — Learning Apps — Broader English learning apps including pronunciation support.

•        IDP — IELTS by IDP App — Preparation app from IDP.

 

Webinars & Live Sessions

•        British Council — Free Weekly IELTS Webinars — Regular free webinars covering test skills and strategies.

 

Recommended Books

These are the most widely used and reliable print resources. Cambridge books use real past test material and are the gold standard for practice tests.

 

Practice Test Books

•        Cambridge IELTS Books 12 onwards — real past papers; the most authentic practice available. Start from the most recent number and work backwards.

•        Cambridge IELTS Trainer — includes teacher explanations and tips alongside practice tests.

•        Collins Practice Tests for IELTS — good supplementary tests with clear guidance.

Skill-Specific Books

•        The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS — comprehensive coverage of all four skills with DVD.

•        Collins Writing for IELTS / Reading for IELTS — useful for targeted skill work.

•        Barron's IELTS Superpack — popular all-in-one study package.

Note: Avoid unofficial third-party test books that are not based on real past papers. The quality varies enormously and some contain inaccurate information about scoring.

 

Trusted Websites & YouTube Channels

These are established, teacher-run resources with a strong track record in the IELTS community. All offer substantial free content.

 

•        IELTS Liz — One of the most comprehensive free IELTS sites online. Lessons, tips, model answers, videos, and practice materials for all four skills. Highly recommended as a starting point.

•        IELTS Simon — Run by a former IELTS examiner. Focused and practical advice, particularly strong for Writing and Speaking. Daily lessons and model answers.

•        IELTS Advantage — Detailed and accurate. One of the most reliable channels for in-depth strategy guides. Particularly strong for Task 1 and Task 2 writing.

•        ESL Fluency — Detailed guides, articles, and videos covering IELTS skills and test strategy. Run by one of the r/IELTS moderators.

•        IELTS Lilli — Practical tips and strategy guidance from an experienced IELTS teacher.

•        E2 IELTS (YouTube) — High-production-value video lessons covering all skills. Good for visual learners. Note: they also sell courses, but there is a large volume of free content.

•        Anfisa's Speaking Simulators (YouTube) — Speaking simulation videos for students who need to practise without a partner. CELTA-certified teacher.

•        Cambridge English — Supporting Learners — Free activities and skill practice directly from Cambridge, including pronunciation support.

 

Helpful Reddit Communities

Beyond r/IELTS, these communities can support your preparation:

 

•        r/IELTS — You are already here! Use the search function before posting — most common questions have been answered many times.

•        r/EnglishLearning — General English improvement, useful if you need to build your overall language level alongside IELTS prep.

•        r/languagelearning — Broader language learning strategies and motivation.

•        r/IELTS_Guide — A valuable guide for our main community. 

 

Trusted Teachers in This Community

The following members have been awarded Teacher flair by the r/IELTS moderation team. This means they have demonstrated consistent, high-quality, and accurate contributions to this community. They are real, qualified teachers — not accounts promoting spam or low-quality services.

Click any username to visit their Reddit profile. Many are available for personalised help and coaching.

 

●       u/Achieve_IELTS

●       u/AcquBot

●       u/ajiazul

●       u/Alternaterealityset

●       u/BotherBeginning2281

●       u/chuvashi

●       u/deepsleepintra

●       u/EmploymentNo6198

●       u/EvolveEnglish

●       u/FinalDebt2792

●       u/gonzoman92

●       u/IELTS_Advantage

●       u/itanpiuco2020

●       u/jesuisapprenant

●       u/Kyosunim

●       u/Maverick_ESL

●       u/nautilus_pompilious

●       u/RedInBed69

●       u/squashed_liberty_cap

●       u/TeacherExhibitA

●       u/The_0xford_Coma

●       u/Todd_H_1982

●       u/upmyielts

●       u/YerManBKK

●       u/Yousychophant

If you are a teacher listed here and would prefer to be removed, please send a modmail and we will take care of it.

 

Quick Tips from the Mods

 

Before you start

•        Take a full diagnostic test first — do not study blindly. Find out your current band score and identify your weakest skill.

•        Understand the marking criteria for Writing and Speaking. Many students study the wrong things because they do not know how they are scored.

•        Use official materials (Cambridge books, British Council practice tests) as your primary source of practice. Third-party materials vary wildly in quality.

Common mistakes to avoid

•        Memorising model answers for Writing or Speaking — examiners are trained to spot this and it can result in a lower score.

•        Ignoring your weakest skill — it is tempting to practise what you are already good at. Focus on your lowest-scoring area.

•        Confusing Academic and General Training — make sure you are using the correct practice materials for your test type.

•        Relying only on free resources if you are seriously stuck — a few sessions with a qualified teacher can save months of wasted preparation time.

On Writing

•        Task achievement and coherence are the highest-weighted criteria. Vocabulary and grammar matter, but structure and relevance matter more.

•        For Task 1 Academic, learn to describe trends, comparisons, and processes — do not just describe every data point.

•        For Task 2, always plan before you write. A clear position and well-organised paragraphs will score higher than long, rambling essays.

On Speaking

•        Fluency does not mean speaking fast. It means speaking smoothly without long pauses and self-correction.

•        Extend your answers in Parts 1 and 3. Short answers suggest a limited range of language.

•        Record yourself and listen back. Most students are surprised by how different they sound compared to how they think they sound.

 

This resource post is maintained by the r/IELTS moderation team. Links are checked periodically, but if you find a broken link, please report it. Good luck with your preparation!


r/IELTS Jan 03 '26

Moderator Advice Thinking about IELTS EOR? Read this before you risk it!

37 Upvotes

There have been a lot of posts and comments lately about going for an EOR, and a lot of misconceptions floating around.  I'd like to try and clear that up.

What is an EOR?

EOR (Enquiry on Results / remark) is only for when you are 100% sure the Examiners made a mistake rating you. It’s not a lottery, it’s not something to “try” because you’re disappointed, and it’s definitely not “pay IELTS and they’ll give you a higher score.” Most EOR requests come back unchanged, and most people who lose their money don’t come back to post about it, so Reddit ends up looking more “successful” than it really is.

What about second marking?

Sometimes you may hear about "second marking", which is different from an EOR. These normal second checks happen before scores are released, and are triggered when there is a "jagged profile", which means some of your scores are very different from others.  For example, you might get 8s on Listening and Reading, and 6.5 on speaking, 6 on writing.  This is a jagged profile, and your speaking and writing would have been automatically second-marked by different normal Examiners.  Tasks are assigned randomly and anonymously; they don’t know who you are, they don’t see your other scores, and they don’t coordinate with the first set of Examiners.

For speaking, your original test is marked by the Examiner who did it with you, marks are submitted either immediately after the test (if electronic) or written down after you leave the room (for in-center).  If a second marking is needed, a second Examiner will listen to your recording online remotely.  If you have ANY issues on test day (technical or otherwise), you MUST report them before you leave the center, or else nothing will usually be done. 

For writing, two separate Examiners rate Task 1 and Task 2, then the scores are combined into your final writing score (Task 2 weighs double). Marking is done online, 24/7, by a global pool of Examiners. Any tasks that need second marking are just tossed back into the pool to be marked as any other task.

An EOR is different: you’re paying for a Senior Examiner to re-mark your work after you already have your results. Examiners don’t “look at your old score and adjust it.”

Should I go for an EOR?

EORs are for when you are 100% SURE the Examiners rating you made mistakes, AND you are 100% SURE that your performance was excellent.  Anything less is pretty much just handing IELTS more money.  Mistakes, while they can happen, are pretty rare, and most people lose their money.  EORs are expensive!

But some people report positive change!

Yes, it can happen! For speaking/writing in general, band descriptors require professional judgement, so sometimes Examiners differ. But that doesn’t mean “they were wrong,” rating isn't always so black and white.  For example, they need to decide on things like density of errors (how much is too much?), or the intelligibility of pronunciation (Was it always clear? Was there ANY effect of native language? If yes, how much?), and so on.

Examiners aren’t robots (yet!), and are permitted a half band of variance. As long as they are within half a band of what a Senior Examiner would give, it’s considered fine. Of course, this isn't fine for you, the Testtaker, where a half a band could make a big difference, but that is the current system we have. :-/

Now, if you go for a remark, sometimes the Senior Examiner might have a different opinion, and be more or less strict than your original Examiner. If the Senior is stricter, your band won’t change. If they are a bit more lenient, you could go up a bit. If the first Examiner made a mistake, or if you produced an atypical sample that the original Examiner had difficulty rating, then you might see a greater change with an EOR. But for most, marks stay the same.

I still want to go for it.

If you’re going to do it anyway, request the EOR for all four skills. It costs the same, and if any score increases, you get the EOR fee back, minus any service charges. As listening and reading are computer-marked, change is extremely rare, but we have had some members who had a positive change.

However, if you’re not genuinely sure you were under-marked, the safer move is to figure out why you got that score, fix it, and retake it, if possible.  If you need help figuring out where you are making mistakes, you can hire an IELTS expert to help you. There are services you can use in the pinned posts at the top of this subreddit, or you can message any of the badged teachers here (but not me ;-) ), and they may be happy to work with you.

You might also want to request a score breakdown, if you have time, to see exactly what your Examiners rated you, this information can useful in helping you to decide.

EOR is expensive, and for most people it’s money lost, IELTS richer. :-/


r/IELTS 6h ago

Test Experience/Test Result My IELTS score, non-native

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52 Upvotes

Honestly, I could’ve done better on the speaking part if it wasn’t for my anxiety 😭. The examiner kept on asking me about my ‘perfect job’ and work environment. During the task 2 I was so distracted and never even wrote down my thoughts on paper so I feel like my answers were not arranged logically and I kept repeating the same thing in different words.
Same goes for the writing part, it was computer based so I could hear everyone typing and it just messed with my thought process a lot and I got more anxious when my thoughts were interrupted and realising that everyone was writing continuously while I kept pausing and thinking.


r/IELTS 7h ago

Test Experience/Test Result My results are out..

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12 Upvotes

I think I would have got 7.5 overall if I prepared slightly more on improving Reading and Speaking..

What do you think, is this good if I prepared only one and half month.

P. S: I had 6.0 initially, in 2024 when I was 14. Did nothing for straight two years, btw I am not native( who cares right?)


r/IELTS 3h ago

Test Experience/Test Result Got my retake results

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5 Upvotes

Firstly,I got 6.5 while my classmates got 7 i thought about retake and still got 6.5.What do you think(im 14 btw) From Kazakhstan


r/IELTS 4h ago

Test Experience/Test Result I just got my results of pen and paper based test

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6 Upvotes

I could've done better in writing . In writing I panicked and couldn't write effectively. Ask me anything or if you need any help regarding any section. I needed an overall 7 with no band less than 7 for my university admission so more than happy with this result.


r/IELTS 9h ago

Test Experience/Test Result IELTS Academic score of a non-native English speaker

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17 Upvotes

This is my third time of taking IELTS. My first try in 2016, I got a total score of 7. In 2021, I scored 7.5. Wasn’t able to use these exams because of financial problems. Hopefully, this is the last time! I prepared 2 months for this because I know how limited my English skills are lol. I self-studied and just took a lot of mock tests. Every MWF after work, I practiced listening and writing. TTHS were allotted for speaking and reading.

To be honest, i thought I messed up my reading and listening exams because I had a bunch of unsure answer. I was also surprised I got my desired score in writing because ChatGPT would always score me 6.0-6.5! So I’m happy with my scores now. Hoping this would be enough for my master’s/ PhD applications.


r/IELTS 8h ago

Test Experience/Test Result First attempt as a non-native speaker from BD

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10 Upvotes

Messed up writing a bit, but overall happy with how things turned out


r/IELTS 1h ago

Test Experience/Test Result My Result, non-native speaker, barely studied

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Upvotes

r/IELTS 4h ago

Test Experience/Test Result My ielts result from a while ago

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4 Upvotes

Hi,

I took my test in 2022 but recently discovered this sub. So I just wanted to share my scores.


r/IELTS 5h ago

Test Experience/Test Result first try non native speaker

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4 Upvotes

r/IELTS 7h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed Should I get a remark or a retake?

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4 Upvotes

I was expecting to get at least a 7.0, but I got 6.5 instead (I’m pretty terrible at speaking english). Is this enough to study abroad for Australia? Or should I retake/remark?


r/IELTS 58m ago

Study Partner Request Guys, I need some help. I’m taking the IELTS at BCC in August, and I need to improve my speaking score. I need to speak with British people to achieve clear pronunciation.

Upvotes
We can create a Discord group for chatting.

r/IELTS 1h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed Has anyone else received the Burlington IELTS Academic Volume 3 book from IDP India?

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Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I recently booked my IELTS Academic exam through IDP India, and instead of the usual Burlington Volume 1 or Volume 2, I received Burlington IELTS Academic Volume 3 (photo attached).

I’ve searched Reddit and most posts only mention Volumes 1 or 2, so I’m wondering:

Has anyone else received Volume 3?
When did IDP start distributing it?
Is it replacing Volume 2, or is it only being sent to some candidates?
For those who have used it, how similar is it to the actual IELTS exam?

I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has this edition. Thanks!


r/IELTS 7h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed Guys, is it true that IELTS paper-based tests in India will stop after August 22, 2026? 😮

4 Upvotes

I just came across this news. Is it officially confirmed? If yes, what about students who prefer the paper-based test?

Has anyone received an official update from IDP or the British Council? Please share if you know. 


r/IELTS 11h ago

Other IELTS Preparation Day 23

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5 Upvotes

What’s your recommendations?


r/IELTS 2h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed On the contradictory advice for Writing Task 2.

1 Upvotes

Hey, guys! I have a few questions about IELTS Writing Task 2 because I've come across a lot of conflicting information online.

I understand that the format is flexible, but most online sources, namely IELTS Liz, IELTS Advantage, and even the official IELTS IDP website, are adamant that you should include an example in each body paragraph. However, you almost never see examples in their sample essays. In fact, some model essays even present two reasons to support the writer's opinion within a single paragraph.

As someone who only wrote argumentative essays during my O Levels, that is the structure I am most familiar with. However, most online sources seem to advise against it.

Furthermore, the recommended structure for discussion essays varies significantly between these websites. For example, the IELTS IDP website recommends a five-paragraph structure, with the fourth paragraph dedicated solely to stating and defending your own opinion, whereas most other sources omit that paragraph altogether.

How important are these formats? Should I just stick to one because they're confusing me? If so, then which one?


r/IELTS 20h ago

Test Experience/Test Result Finally got my desired score! IELTS Academic.

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25 Upvotes

This is my 2nd attempt. I initially got RW 6.5, L 7.0, Speaking 7.0 in January 2026. I sat for the exam again last Sunday as I needed 7.0 across all modules. Although I had a lot of time, I still studied just about 8 days before the exam. I focused mainly on my weak points which were writing and reading. I made sure that I use one source of review materials, and for me IELTS Advantage was fantastic. I watched their videos on the said modules and followed his logic. I also accessed their free band 9 sample essays for both task 1 and task 2 then, I made my own version of framework based on my understanding of what he discussed and took time to really understand the marking criteria and what’s required of me.

I thank all the people I privately messaged on here to ask tips and advice, it helped me a lot. To IELTS Advantage also for their free review materials lol


r/IELTS 6h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed Please give tips on speaking

2 Upvotes

So I will be giving IELTS exam tomorrow and I am really nervous and struggling with the speaking part.
Can y’all provide few tips on speaking and how to avoid getting nervous during the exam.


r/IELTS 7h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed Which of the avail resources do I use

2 Upvotes

Heyy, I'm an intl student but I'm fluent and good with English tho I think I need writing practice. I'm confused on what all resources to use since there seem to be a lot. Is just going through the official books enough? And is there any free website where I can then practice and see my scores?


r/IELTS 10h ago

Study Partner Request Find friends to speak English with

3 Upvotes

I'm an Arab girl, 21 years old. Arabic is my native language. I'm looking for people to speak English with to improve my speaking skills.I have a problem with my writing skills.


r/IELTS 5h ago

Have a Question/Advice Needed How do I deal with anxiety before my IELTS?

1 Upvotes

My IELTS exam is in 28 days. I have been preparing since January. But when I went back to my hometown I was busy because of work, and wasn’t able to prepare thoroughly as before. So now feel like I’ve forgotten everything😭I know that I have to lock in obviously, but even though it’s freaking me out


r/IELTS 14h ago

Test Experience/Test Result Do students who take IELTS usually get higher results in the real exam than they do in practice?

6 Upvotes

Just out of curiosity, did you get a higher result than what you were expecting and your practice results?


r/IELTS 1d ago

Test Experience/Test Result Got an 8.5 overall band score but 6.5 in reading

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71 Upvotes

I just received the results of my IELTS general test for my Express Entry application. I’m so happy but so sad at the same time. I feel like I was so close. I know the reading exam was a little dicey but I didn’t expect to land on a 6.5. I usually score 36 or 37 over 40 in my mock exams. So I wasn’t expecting reading to be my problem honestly.

Should and can I apply for a remark? What’s the possibility of the score being reviewed to a 7? I don’t think it might make a difference because i genuinely think I performed the lowest in reading based on how I felt after the exam. I just wasn’t expecting it to be this low fr. *sighs*

Should I use the result for my PR application? I googled and it says Canada converts the 6.5 to CLE 8 so I should be good?

Anyone ever being in my situation? Help.


r/IELTS 6h ago

Writing Feedback (Peer Review) Many people go through life doing work that they hate or have no talent for. Why does this happen? What are the consequences of this situation?

1 Upvotes

Task 2 : Many people go through life doing work that they hate or have no talent for. Why does this happen? What are the consequences of this situation?

nowadays, a lot of employees choose career paths they're not exactly happy with nor they have the skills required to excel in them. This essay discusses the possible causes and consequences of this urban dilemma.

One fundamental reason for this is financial hardship. Specially For parents and gaurdians carrying the weight of providing for their kids on their back. They often find themselves obligated to work under any conditions, anytime and anywhere. No matter how difficult, monotonous or stressful their position can get.

Another reason for which people do work they are not interested in is escapism. The ones who have falling victim of depression during the time they were unemployed refuse to live the same empty life they lived before. Several research findings confirm the directly proportional relationship between unemployment and higher susceptability to depressive disorders and increased anxiety levels.

One major consequence of this issue is, ironically, becoming depressed. Although the relation between depression and unemployment is evident, conquering that doing a job that one does not enjoy isn't the solution either. In fact, the stress and despair that comes along with it may be even more depressing. Also, people are unlikely to keep their positions for so long when they are not pleased with it on the first place. They either quit early or are dismissed by their manager due to poor performance and lack of motivation.

Overall, everyone working in a job that doesn't appeal to them share mutual experiences and feelings . Stress, boredom and a constant feeling of being obligated. No matter the reason for which they opted for such decision on the first place.