Book List To Help You With IELTS Preparation
⚡ TL;DR
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published December 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
During your IELTS preparation, many of you will use free resources online, but there are also many books that are worth the investment. Even your IELTS teachers and examiners have some of these books and have studied them, in order to know everything they can about the IELTS Test.
The one book that is worth getting (if you choose only one) is The Official Guide to IELTS Student's book with Answers. This book has everything covered, with many helpful hints and tips, and it also includes practice tests and answers. If you want to get extra help with your vocabulary and grammar, then Cambridge English offer specific books each with a focus in these areas. There are so many books out there to choose from and in our experience, the books from Cambridge English are excellent.
Here is a book list to help you with your IELTS preparation >>
**All books were sourced on Amazon.co.uk**
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's Book with Answers with DVD-ROM (Cambridge English)
By Pauline Cullen, Amanda French, Vanessa Jakeman
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is THE definitive guide to IELTS. It contains all you need to succeed in the exam. Skill-building exercises cover all of the question types in the exam for both the General Training and Academic Modules. Our research into real IELTS candidates' exam answers - and the mistakes they make helps you avoid the same ones!
Eight official practice tests and a focus on test-taking strategy help you maximise your score. Videos of the Speaking test, and all the listening material, including the tests, can be found on the DVD-ROM or downloaded via an accompanying App from iTunes or Google Play. IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Student's Book with Answers: Authentic Examination Papers (IELTS Practice Tests)
By Authentic Examination Papers
Cambridge IELTS 12 contains four authentic IELTS examination papers from Cambridge English Language Assessment, providing excellent exam practice. The Student's Book with answers allows students to familiarise themselves with IELTS and to practise examination techniques using authentic tests. It contains four complete tests for Academic candidates.
An introduction to these modules is included in the book, together with an explanation of the scoring system used by Cambridge English Language Assessment. There is a comprehensive section of answers and tapescripts at the back of the book. Audio CDs containing the material for the Listening Tests, and a Student's Book with answers with downloadable Audio are sold separately. These tests are also available as IELTS Academic Tests 5-8 on Testbank.org.uk
Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS Advanced Band 6.5+ with Answers and Audio CD (Cambridge English)
By Pauline Cullen
The book covers all the vocabulary needed by students aiming for band 6.5 and above in the IELTS tests and provides students with practice of exam tasks from each paper. Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS Advanced focuses on moving 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. It is informed by the Cambridge English Corpus to ensure that the vocabulary is presented in genuine contexts and includes real learner errors. The Audio CD contains the listening and pronunciation exercises from each unit. The material is suitable for self-study or homework tasks, and may also be used in class with the teacher.
Cambridge Grammar for IELTS Student's Book with Answers and Audio CD (Cambridge Grammar for First Certificate, Ielts, Pet)
By Diane Hopkins
Cambridge Grammar for IELTS provides complete coverage of the grammar needed for the IELTS test, and develops listening skills at the same time. 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. A Student's Book 'without answers' is also available.
Collins Writing for IELTS has been specially created for learners of English who plan to take the Academic IELTS exam to demonstrate that they have the required ability to communicate effectively in English at university.
It is ideal for learners with band score 5 – 5.5 who are aiming for band score 6 or higher on the IELTS test (CEF level B1 and above). Collins Writing for IELTS concentrates on the Academic paper.
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