140+ IELTS Exam Preparation Resources
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Table of Contents
About the IELTS Exam
IELTS has been managed by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English since 1989. It is accepted by over 11,500 organizations worldwide, including universities, colleges, government departments, immigration authorities, multinational companies, and many more.
Paper-based IELTS vs. Computer-based IELTS
You can take the IELTS on paper or on the computer. They are the same in test format, question types, time duration, content, and registration fees. The only difference is writing answers on paper with an HB-pencil or typing on the screen. The Speaking part is completed face-to-face with an IELTS examiner in both approaches. There is no need to use your own computer as the test center will supply it for the computer-delivered IELTS test.
The advantage of taking IELTS on the computer is that you can receive your results 3 to 5 days after the test while getting results from the paper-based test takes 13 days.
IELTS Online
You can take an online IELTS Academic test from your own computer in nearly 30 countries. Test format is the same as the paper or computer-based tests in a testing center. You will receive your results in 3-6 days. The Speaking test is with a human examiner, via video call. The General training IELTS exam is currently not available in the online version, so you would still need to go to a test center. For other countries including China, you may want to consider the IELTS Indicator.
IELTS Test Types and Formats
The IELTS test includes four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. And there are two different IELTS modules: Academic and General Training. The Academic module and General Training module share the same Speaking and Listening tests but are different in the Reading and Writing tests. Here, you can find the detailed differences in format of two types of tests. If you are interested in studying or living in the UK, you may only need the UKVI or Life Skills versions, which relate specifically to the UK. For the Life Skills test, you only need to demonstrate your speaking and listening skills.
Content | No. of Questions | Time duration | |
Listening | 2 conversations 2 monologues | 40 | 30 min |
Academic Reading | 3 long texts | 40 | 60 min |
General Training Reading | Section 1: 2-3 short texts Section 2: 2 texts Section 3: 1 long text | 40 | 60 min |
Academic Writing | Task 1: Describe visual information Task 2: Respond to a point of view or argument or problem | 2 | 60 min |
General Training Writing | Task 1: Respond to a situation Task 2: Respond to a point of view or argument or problem | 2 | 60 min |
Speaking | Part 1: General questions Part 2: Particular topic Part 3: Further questions about the topic in Part 2 | 3 | 11 – 14 min |
Results
You do not pass or fail IELTS. After your test, you receive a proficiency rating between Band 1 (non-user) and Band 9 (expert user), stepped in half-bands. Organizations and institutions set the minimum band needed by applicants. Some online courses also recommend a minimum IELTS score, such as A Beginner’s Guide to Writing in English for University Study which recommends an IELTS score of 4.5 or higher.
IELTS Test Fees
Book IELTS test
IELTS registration fee is different depending on where you book the test, and sometimes may be different for the paper-based and computer-based test. At the time of writing, booking an IELTS test costs 250-255 USD in the US, 410 AUD in Australia, and ₹ 16250 in India.
Transfer IELTS test date
You can only transfer the test date once. It’s free of charge if you transfer the test date five weeks before the scheduled test date. But, if you transfer less than five weeks before the scheduled test date, you will be charged a 25% administration fee. You have no chance to transfer less than three days before the scheduled test date.
Cancel IELTS test
Canceling the test five weeks before the scheduled test date means you can be eligible for a refund of 75% of the test fee. But less than five weeks means zero refund.
Exceptional Circumstances
Some exceptional circumstances may allow you to transfer or cancel. These include serious medical conditions (with a medical certificate), recent family bereavement, and special hardship. You need to submit your application for consideration promptly, including supporting documents.
IELTS Exam Preparation Resources
Online Courses
- IELTS Academic Test Preparation via edX
- Mastering IELTS Writing: Task 1 (Academic) via Udemy
- Mastering IELTS Writing: Task 2 (Achieve Band 7+ in 7 Hours) via Udemy
- Mastering IELTS Writing: Task 2 (Band 9 Model Answers) via Udemy
- Mastering IELTS Speaking: The Express Course via Udemy
- Mastering IELTS Writing: Task 1 (General Training) via Udemy
- Ultimate IELTS Writing: Learn to Master IELTS Writing Task 2 via Udemy
- Complete IELTS Academic Preparation to achieve 7+, Free book via Udemy.com
- IELTS Preparation via Coursera
- IELTS Writing Section Skills Mastery via Coursera
- IELTS Listening and Speaking Sections Skills Mastery via Coursera
- IELTS Reading Section Skills Mastery via Coursera
- IELTS Speaking Pro 7+ | English Language via Skillshare
- IELTS Speaking [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via Skillshare
- Masterclass sur la partie écrite du test IELTS via Skillshare
- Curso de greparação Geral para o IELTS (leitura, escrita, escuta, fala) via Skillshare
- Improve your IELTS Speaking score via FutureLearn
- IELTS Band 7 Preparation Speaking Course via Udemy
- Essential IELTS Speaking Skills via Udemy
- IELTS Vocabulary: Learn 400 Essential Words for IELTS via Udemy
- IELTS Strategies (English Version) via Udemy
- IELTS Essay Writing with Free Feedback and Evaluation via Udemy
- IELTS Step-by-step | Mastering Reading via udemy.com
- Get 7-9 in IELTS Speaking: IELTS Speaking Masterclass via Udemy
- IELTS Band 7+ Complete Prep Course via Udemy
- IELTS Preparation Masterclass: A Complete Guide to the IELTS via Udemy
- IELTS 7 Plus: Complete IELTS Preparation [Academic] via Udemy
- IELTS Step-by-step | Mastering Vocabulary via Udemy
- IELTS Booster and Beyond: Enhance speaking pt 1from 6 to 7 via Udemy
- IELTS 9: Speaking Mastery via Udemy
- IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via Udemy
- IELTS Booster and Beyond Premium Course 2-Note-taking skills via Udemy
- IELTS Writing Task 2 [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via Udemy
- IELTS Step-by-step | Mastering Listening via udemy.com
- IELTS Speaking [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via Udemy
- IELTS Academic Writing Part 1 – Graphs and Tables via Udemy
- IELTS Masterclass Ultimate Prep Course for Academic via Udemy
- IELTS Speaking Exam – all you need to know via Udemy
- IELTS Listening: IELTS Band 8+ Course via Udemy
- IELTS Guide for Non-Native Speakers- How did I score (8)? via Udemy
- Fluency for IELTS Speaking via Udemy
- IELTS – TOEFL – PTE – HAZIRLIK ATLAMA via Udemy
- The Complete IELTS Guide- SIX Courses in One – Get Band 7+ via Udemy
- IELTS General Writing – The Complete Guide via Udemy
- IELTS Writing Task 2 [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via Skillshare
- IELTS Reading (Academic) MASTERCLASS : Get Band 7+ via Skillshare
- IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) MASTERCLASS: Get Band 7+ via Skillshare
- How to Pass IELTS: Writing via FutureLearn
- Understanding IELTS: Techniques for English Language Tests via FutureLearn
- LEARN THE MOST COMMON ENGLISH PHRASAL VERBS .1: IELTS English preparation via Skillshare
- LEARN THE MOST COMMON ENGLISH IDIOMS : IELTS preparation via Skillshare
- IELTS Writing and Speaking Preparation (Academic/General) via Udemy
- Master English: Improving your Speaking, Listening, and Writing Skills via Skillshare
- Mastering IELTS Writing: Task 1 GT (Band 9 Model Letters) via udemy.com
- Mastering IELTS Writing: Task 1 Academic (Band 9 Answers) via udemy.com
- IELTS Guide for Non-Native Speakers- How did I score (8)? via udemy.com
- IELTS Academic Writing – The Complete Step by Step Guide via udemy.com
- Score High IELTS Writing (General Training Module) via udemy.com
- The IELTS Expert: IELTS Writing Task 2 Academic & General via udemy.com
- UPDATED September 2022: IELTS Speaking: Go from 5 to 7.5 via udemy.com
- Grammar for IELTS via udemy.com
- IELTS Step-by-step | MASTERING ALL SKILLS 7+ via udemy.com
- IELTS Reading Academic [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via udemy.com
- IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via udemy.com
- IELTS Listening [MASTERCLASS]: Get Band 7+ via udemy.com
- IELTS General Training Express Course via udemy.com
- IELTS Writing Made Simpler (Task 1 & Task 2) via udemy.com
- Hack the IELTS Listening Component via udemy.com
Websites for IELTS Practice Online
- Magoosh: Get your best IELTS® score via ielts.magoosh.com
- IELTS practice test via ielts.org
- Free IELTS practice tests via takeielts.britishcouncil.org
- IELTS Simon: Lessons with Simon, ex-IELTS examiner via ielts-simon.com
- IELTS Liz: IELTS Preparation with Liz-Free Tips, Lessons and English via ieltsliz.com
- IELTS – The International English Language Testing System via ielts-exam.net
- IELTS-up, your best IELTS guide via ielts-up.com
- IELTS Online Practice Materials via elc.polyu.edu.hk
- IELTS Practice via ieltspractice.com
- IELTS Australia via ielts.com.au
- IELTS Practice Tests via ieltsbuddy.com
- 100+ IELTS mock tests via ieltsonlinetests.com
- IELTS Sample Practice Tests via ielts-writing.info
- KMF IELTS for Chinese Students via ielts.kmf.com
- IELTS Bro for Chinese Students via ieltsbro.com
- 30-day free online preparation course via ieltsidpindia.com
- Sample test for IELTS on computers via ieltsidpindia.com
- IELTS Academic Courses and Resources via swooshenglish.com
- IELTS Tutorials Online Coaching via ieltstutorials.online
Mobile Apps
- ELTS Prep App – TakeIELTS.org via apps.apple.com
- IELTS Exam Preparation & Tutor via apps.apple.com
- Vocabulary Flashcards – IELTS via apps.apple.com
- KMF IELTS for Chinese Students via apps.apple.com
- IELTS Bro for Chinese Students via apps.apple.com
- Xueweigui IELTS for Chinese Students via apps.apple.com
- IELTS Prep App – takeielts.org via Google Play
YouTube Videos
IELTS Listening
- IELTS Listening
- IELTS Listening
- IELTS Listening
- IELTS Listening: Improve your English and prepare for IELTS Listening
- IELTS LISTENING PRACTICE TEST 2022 WITH ANSWERS | 09.10.2022
IELTS Reading
- IELTS Reading
- IELTS Reading
- IELTS Reading
- IELTS Reading: Improve your English and prepare for IELTS Reading
- IELTS Reading: Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes!
IELTS Writing
- IELTS Writing Task 1
- IELTS Writing Task 2
- IELTS Writing
- IELTS Writing: Grammar – improve your English and IELTS writing
- IELTS Writing: Task response/Task achievement
- Improve Your IELTS TASK 2 Score by Changing 1 Thing
IELTS Speaking
- IELTS SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE BAND 9 SERIES
- IELTS Speaking samples
- IELTS Speaking
- IELTS Speaking
- IELTS Speaking
- IELTS Speaking: Improve English & prepare for IELTS – Vocabulary
- Improve English for the IELTS Speaking test : Pronunciation
- IELTS: Improve English & for IELTS Speaking: Fluency & Coherence
- IELTS Speaking test band score 8, 2022
Guides and Books
- IELTS How to Prepare via ielts.org
- The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS via cambridge.org
- IELTS Washback in Context via cambridge.org
- Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Vocabulary For Bands 6.5 and above via cambridge.org
- IELTS Collected Papers 2 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Life Skills via cambridge.org
- IELTS Trainer 2 via cambridge.org
- IELTS 17 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Academic with Answers 12 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Academic with Answers 13 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Academic with Answers 14 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Academic with Answers 15 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Academic with Answers 16 via cambridge.org
- IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2021 – 2022: IELTS Secrets Study Guide for All Sections via amazon.com
- IELTS Superpack (Barron’s Test Prep) Fifth Edition via amazon.com