How to Choose the Best book for IELTS Preparation?

Before deciding about best books for IELTS preparation, it is necessary to know your current level of English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. You can evaluate such skills by giving online tests or taking a trial class from an experienced spoken English trainer. 

Once you understand your preparedness for the upcoming exam, you could ask the trainer to suggest a few books, look for common book names in the below list, or make decisions based on online reviews. However, it would help if you focused more on your areas of improvement as they would allow you to become more confident and overcome common & recurring mistakes.

After you shortlist a few books, it is necessary to check whether their latest version is available in the market. In case they have become outdated, you should remove them from the list. Now that your list has become shorter, you should check your budget and ensure that the book covers all four aspects of the exam, offers practice material, and has tests for self-evaluation. 

We’d advise you to buy two more books to prepare for the exam, written or sponsored by a university or a lecturer. The benefit of choosing such a book is that it is used mainly by people giving the IELTS tests, makes you more familiar with a foreign language, and includes challenging exercises and preparation tests.

List of Best IELTS Speaking Books:-

1. Everyday English for Grown-Ups: Getting to Grips with the Basics
2. English Collocations in Use: Intermediate Book with Answers
3. Practical English Usage
4. Get IELTS Band 9 Speaking
5. IELTS Speaking Actual Tests & Suggested Answers
6. Improve Your IELTS Listening & Speaking Skills
7. Improve Your Skills: Listening & Speaking for IELTS 6.0 – 7.5
8. IELTS Speaking Actual Tests & Suggested Answers
9. Comprehensive IELTS Speaking Band 8 Preparation Course
10. 31 High-Scoring Formulas to Answer the IELTS Speaking Questions

List of Best IELTS Reading Books:-

1. Improve Your IELTS Reading Skills By Sam McCarter & Norman Whitby
2. Essential Reading For IELTS
3. Improve your Skills – Reading for IELTS 6.0 – 7.5 pdf with Answer Key
4. Collins Reading For IELTS By Els Van Geyte
5. Road to IELTS
6. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7
7. Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2021-2022
8. Focus on IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook
9. IELTS Trainer
10. Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Student’s Book with Answers

List of Best IELTS Listening Books:-

1. IELTS Advantage: Listening Strategies & Speaking Skills
2. 15 Days’ Practice for IELTS Listening
3. IELTS Listening Recent Actual Tests Volume 3
4. Comprehensive IELTS Listening Band 8 Preparation Course
5. IELTS Listening Recent Actual Tests Volume 2
6. Collins Listening for IELTS
7. Improve Your IELTS Listening & Speaking Skills
8. Improve Your Skills: Listening & Speaking for IELTS 6.0 – 7.5
9. Barron’s IELTS Superpack
10. Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers with Audio

List of Best IELTS Writing Books:-

1. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7
2. Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Student’s Book With Answers
3. The Road To IELTS
4. Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2021 –  2022
5. Focus On IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook
6. Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS
7. IELTS Trainer
8. The Barron’s IELTS Superpack
9. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
10. IELTS 5 In 1 Actual Tests eBook Combo

List of best IELTS Book for Self Study:-

1. Cambridge IELTS Trainer with Answers
2. Focus on IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook
3. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7
4. New Insight into IELTS
5. Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2021 – 2022
6. Target Band 7: IELTS Academic Module – How to Maximize Your Score
7. Improve your IELTS Skills Series
8. English Grammar in Use
9. Ace The IELTS: IELTS General- How To Maximize Your Score
10. Cambridge Grammar for IELTS

Best IELTS Books in India/ IELTS Exam Preparation Books:–

Deciding on the best IELTS preparation books depends on your individual strengths, weaknesses, and target score. Here’s a guide to some top options in India, categorized by skill:

Overall Best:

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: The gold standard. Comprehensive coverage of all sections,authentic test questions, and practice strategies.

Remember:

• Combine books with other resources like online courses, practice tests, and real-time speaking practice.
• Choose books appropriate for your current level and target score.
• Focus on areas of weakness and practice consistently.
• Don’t rely solely on one book – diversify your resources for well-rounded preparation.

By choosing the right books and actively practicing, you can boost your IELTS score and achieve your academic or professional goals.

Note: This list is not exhaustive, and several other excellent IELTS preparation books are available in India. Do your research and choose the ones that best suit your needs and learning style.