20 Best IELTS Preparation Books for Self Study 2023

Books are best companions. They can enrich your knowledge and broaden your horizons. In IELTS, they play an important role in making you achieve the desired band score. But be mindful of the books you choose, as you are relying on them to ace the test.

As a result, to enable you to make a informed decision we have put together a list of the top IELTS books that are very helpful for you. Yet, always consider your needs and choose them.

IELTS Preparation Books

Are you searching for the best IELTS books to prepare in the best way for the IELTS test? Look no further. Here are our list and reviews of the 20 best IELTS books or study materials for 2022(for both academic and general training).

1. IELTS (Academic) 5 in 1 Actual Tests eBook combo

This is one of the best eBook combo for IELTS Academic. It is pack of 5 eBooks for all the four sections of IELTS: Listening, Reading, Writing (Task 1 and Task 2) and Speaking of the Academic module. What stands out is that it has latest IELTS questions (January – April 2022). The answers are also provided by IELTS experts. The pack contains 41 listening tests and 35 reading tests with answers. The Speaking book has an intensive 110 part 1 questions and 92 part 2/3 questions with answers. You get sample answers and essay ideas for 84 IELTS questions in Writing task 2 and 100 reports in Writing task 1. This book is ideal for IELTS preparation at home but can also be used in a classroom setting.

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2. IELTS (General) 5 in 1 Actual Tests eBook combo

It is a pack of 5 eBooks.  The combo has latest questions (January – April 2022) on Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing Task 1, and Writing Task 2 of the General module. It also has sample answers [ For Speaking and Writing] written by IELTS experts. The pack has 41 listening tests and 20 reading tests with answers. While the Speaking book has an intensive 110 part 1 questions and 92 part 2/3 questions with answers, the book on writing task 2 has 84 essay questions with answers. Also there are 27 sets of letters for Writing task 1. Each set will contain a formal, semi-formal and an informal letter. This book is ideal for IELTS preparation at home but can also be used in a classroom setting.

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3. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

‘The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS’ is the definitive guide to IELTS from the organization that produces the test – Cambridge Assessment English. This guide covers all 4 IELTS sections (writing, reading, speaking, listening) to provide you with useful step-by-step instructions, tips and hints for IELTS and focuses on skills development and test-taking strategy to help you maximize your band-score and has 10 practice tests for both Academic and General Training. For thorough IELTS preparation, choose ‘The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS.’ It can be your guide to success in the exam. You can register for IELTS while preparing for IELTS.

We would recommend it for IELTS learners who aim to get a 6.0 or above in the IELTS test.

4. Cambridge IELTS 10 – 11 – 12 – 13

‘Cambridge IELTS 13’ is the latest edition in Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS series. It contains four authentic IELTS examination papers from Cambridge Assessment English, providing excellent exam practice. The Student’s Book with answers allows students to familiarize themselves with IELTS and to practice examination techniques using authentic tests.

‘Cambridge IELTS 12’ was released in May 2017. This book contains 4 complete authentic tests for both General Training and Academic module. Every student who will sit for the IELTS test should have this book to make themselves familiar with the IELTS test.

‘Cambridge IELTS 11’ contains four complete tests for either Academic or General Training candidates, a comprehensive section of tapescripts and answers, models and samples for all the Writing tasks. Like other Cambridge IELTS books, it reflects the IELTS actual test and is the most updated version.

‘Cambridge IELTS 10’ provides students with an excellent opportunity to familiarize themselves with IELTS and to practice examination techniques using authentic test material. This IELTS practice test series was published by IELTS test makers from Cambridge Press so they provide an invaluable insight into the test. Each book contains four complete tests for Academic module candidates, with extra Reading and Writing modules for General Training module candidates.

5. English Collocations in Use

To sound like a native speaker, you should check this book out.  It’ll help you improve your style of spoken and written English with 60 lessons on a rich variety of topics, each contains 2 pages for the theory and practice exercises with a total of more than 1,500 collocations. This book is ideal for IELTS learners at the intermediate level and above.

To get Band 6.5+ for IELTS, we’re sure you shouldn’t miss this excellent book: English Collocations in Use.

6. English Vocabulary in Use

This book series is known as the best-selling vocabulary reference and practice books from elementary to advanced level and is the perfect choice for IELTS learners wanting to build their vocabulary skills. My personal favorite book in the family of the best-selling vocabulary books is ‘English Vocabulary in Use’ (Upper-Intermediate edition). The main features of this book are:

• Vocabulary is explained and presented on left-hand pages with a wealth of innovative follow-up activities opposite.
• 100 units, covering approximately 3,000 new vocabulary items
• Offers learners the opportunity to consolidate and expand existing vocabulary

This book is suitable for anybody who has a burning desire to get band 6.5 or above in the IELTS test.

7. New Insight into IELTS

‘New Insight into IELTS’ offers comprehensive preparation and practice for IELTS. By exploring the test paper by paper, and looking in detail at each task type, the course gradually builds up the skills, language and test techniques students need to approach IELTS with confidence. The course contains a detailed introduction to the test and a full answer key and is one of the best IELTS book for use in the classroom or for self-study.

The material is intended for students whose current level is around Band 6 and is suitable for both Academic and General Training candidates.

8. Barron’s IELTS Practice Exams

Barron’s is the leader in test preparation and students’#1 choice. This newly updated second edition with two audio CDs prepares test takers for success on the IELTS, an English competency test that’s recognized by leading colleges, universities, and government agencies in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

9. Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 & 2

This book is a comprehensive teacher resource pack with the view to help prepare learners for the IELTS test. Written by Cambridge ESOL examiners and material writers with many years of experience preparing IELTS tests, this pack shows candidates how each of the tests is assessed and provides valuable tips. ‘These Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 & 2’ offer samples of the Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking tests with sample answers and examiner comments.

10. Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS

This advanced version of ‘Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS’ covers the vocabulary needed by students who are aiming for band 6.5 and above in the IELTS tests and also provides students with practice exam tasks from each paper. ‘Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS Advanced’ focuses on guiding students to 6.5 and beyond by working on vocabulary-building strategies necessary for success at advanced levels. It includes useful tips on how to approach IELTS exam tasks and covers especially tricky areas such as paraphrase and collocation.

11. Cambridge Grammar for IELTS

It is one of the best Grammar books for IELTS preparation. ‘Cambridge Grammar for IELTS’ has got you covered, in terms of the grammar needed for the IELTS test and also helps develop your listening skills. It includes a wide range of IELTS tasks from the Academic and General Training Reading, Writing and Listening modules, and contains helpful grammar explanations and a grammar glossary.

12. IELTS Advantage Series

IELTS Advantage: Writing Skills – A book on IELTS Writing

‘IELTS Advantage: Writing Skills’ written by Richard Brown (Author), Lewis Richards (Author) is a fully comprehensive resource designed for IELTS learners who want to achieve a grade of 7.0 or higher in the Writing section of the Academic IELTS test. Students are guided step-by-step through the different tasks in the writing module, using material developed in the classroom, by authors with many years’ experience in helping hundreds of IELTS candidates achieve a high IELTS score. It is one of the best books to learn how to write essays.

IELTS Advantage: Reading Skills 

This book is suitable for IELTS learners who want to pass the IELTS Academic Reading Test with a grade of 6.5-7.5 or higher. This book provides intensive preparation for success in the IELTS reading paper, with a focus on vocabulary development and paraphrase training. It teaches IELTS learners a range of key strategies for reading effectively and for understanding texts more easily, such as skimming, scanning and speed-reading techniques, helping students to get a better result in the Reading paper.

IELTS Advantage: Listening & Speaking Skills

‘IELTS Advantage: Speaking & Listening Skills’ is a comprehensive resource for all IELTS candidates who aim to get Band 6.5 or higher in the Speaking and Listening modules. IELTS learners are guided step-by-step through the different stages of the speaking and listening modules, using lively material covering a wide range of topics that are likely to occur in the IELTS examination.

13. Improve your IELTS Skills Series

Improve Your IELTS Skills – Reading

‘Improve your IELTS Skills’ is for students aiming between bands 4.5 and 7.5. The series has three preparation courses, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, and Listening and Speaking. The courses develop language, skills and test techniques to help students achieve a higher IELTS score. The three books in the series may be used together as a complete course or may be used to target specific skills. Or they may be used separately to supplement other course books.

Improve Your IELTS Skills – Writing

This book puts emphasis on the importance of sentence structures, vocabulary, and improving one’s ideas from a variety of drills for the examination. This book is a must-have for all candidates for the IELTS test. Study with alone or with a coach, ‘Improve Your IELTS Writing Skills’ will definitely be the best English proficiency training for you.

Improve Your IELTS Skills – Listening & Speaking

It is a complete preparation course for the Listening and Speaking Modules of the International English Language Testing System. Through targeted practice, it develops skills and language to help you achieve a higher IELTS score in these two modules.

14. Cambridge IELTS Trainer with Answers

‘IELTS Trainer’ by Cambridge English includes six full practice tests with easy-to-follow expert guidance and exam tips designed to guarantee success. The first two tests are fully guided with step-by-step advice on how to tackle each paper. Extra practice activities are informed by a bank of real candidate’s exam papers and focus on areas where students would typically need the most help.

15. English Grammar in Use

‘English Grammar in Use Fourth Edition’ is the world’s best-selling self-study grammar book for learners of English, written by Raymond Murphy and published by Cambridge University Press. It is a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate to advanced students of English. It has 136 two-page units covering all areas of English Grammar with a multitude of additional practice exercises to consolidate learning

I would highly recommend this book for any IELTS learners who want to get a 6.0 or above in the IELTS test.

16. Target Band 7: IELTS Academic Module – How to Maximize Your Score

This excellent self-study book for intense IELTS preparation is designed to help students achieve their best personal score. All the tips, techniques, strategies and advice are focused on maximizing students’ score by increasing their task-solving speed and efficiency and preventing typical mistakes.

17. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7

Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7 is a reliable guide for your IELTS preparation and easily falls on the list of best books for IELTS. One of the most attractive features of this book is its straightforward strategies that can be easily applied by candidates during their IELTS General exam. The approach followed by this book helps candidates cover the syllabus for IELTS in a shorter amount of time without compromising on the quality of the content.

18. Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2021 – 2022

With a complete package of test papers, video tutorials, strategies and techniques for IELTS, Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic is a popular study guide for candidates who wish to prepare for the IELTS exam on their own. The book extensively covers all the sections of the IELTS exam(Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) and also provides video tutorials for various complex topics from each section. The book also provides you with practice exercises along with the answers for a better understanding of every task in the IELTS exam.

19. Focus on IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook

Focus on IELTS Foundation provides substantial knowledge to the readers to help them build their English language skills for IELTS. With several practice exercises and practice question papers, candidates can significantly boost the preparation for IELTS using this book. This book also contains a language bank to help you with your basics for the English language so that you can score well in your IELTS General and other English language exams.

20. Ace The IELTS: IELTS General- How To Maximize Your Score- Simone Braverman

Another publication by Simone Braverman, Ace the IELTS is an ideal book for IELTS General candidates. This book gives you a comprehensive outline of the format of the IELTS exam, the different types of questions included in the test and other important information that candidates should keep in mind. This second edition by Braveman is known for being practical and simple to understand. The book also provides you with sample questions and practice tests for each of the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing sections. Apart from that, the book also helps candidates with the use of grammar in the IELTS exam to enhance the quality of their answers and thereby achieve a higher band score.

I hope you have found this article useful. Do you agree with my top 12 IELTS books? Do you have any other recommendations? Comment down below.

How these IELTS Books will help in your Preparation?

One of the most crucial parts of your IELTS preparation is to make sure that the study material you are referring to is reliable and from a reputed publication. There are various academic resources available when it comes to the IELTS examination, therefore it is important to filter the good sources from the mediocre ones. The IELTS preparation books mentioned in this article are published by well-known and popular publishers or authors who have personal and substantial experience with the IELTS exam. Thus, there is no doubt that every book mentioned in this article will significantly improve your skills and prepare you for giving a great IELTS performance.

Bottom Line

These were the best IELTS preparation books which will give boost to your IELTS Preparation and helps you to score desired band score.

Also check :

• Best IELTS General Training Books
• Best IELTS Academic Books
• Best IELTS Listening Books
• Best IELTS Reading Books
• Best IELTS Writing Books
• Best IELTS Speaking Books