Practising for the IELTS exam is obviously an important component of your IELTS preparation. Just having theoretical knowledge about what to expect in the exam, will not be of any benefit to you unless you reinforce the skills you have learned by practical application using practice exercises and mock tests.
IELTS General Training Preparation Books
Most IELTS preparation books cater for both the Academic and the General Training tests. There are very few books that deal only with the IELTS General Training syllabus. If you are looking for quality IELTS preparation material then I suggest that you opt for using authentic IELTS preparation material that is verified by any one of the owners of the IELTS exam (Cambridge ESOL, the British council or the IDP). There are plenty of other IELTS guidebooks available, but official IELTS books contain a unique insider perspective into the skills and techniques needed to score well.
- The Cambridge official guide to IELTS
- New insight into IELTS
- Cambridge IELTS practice test (books 1 – 15)
- Complete IELTS
Where Can You Find General Training Practice Books?
A strange situation has developed with regard to IELTS preparation and practice books, and that is there are far too few materials aimed at General Training test takers. Most IELTS practice books contain plenty of practice material for Academic test takers. If you are focusing preparing for the speaking and listening sections of the test, then this does not really inconvenience a General Training test as these components of the test are the same for both tests. However, if you are looking for material that is geared towards the GT reading and writing test, then your choices are quite limited. Most books contain only one or two General Training practice tests.
IELTS General Training Practice Material
Here is a list of reading material that is geared towards General Training students.
- The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS (tips + 8 listening tests + 2 General Training tests)
- Official Materials (1 listening test + 1 General Training test)
- Official Materials – 2 (1 listening test + 1 General Training test)
- IELTS Help Now (10 listening tests + 10 General Training readings)
Many of these books are also available for free download on the internet.
Cambridge IELTS General Training Practice Tests (Books 12 – 15)
These books provide 4 authentic General Training practise tests developed by actual IELTS exam writers.
The book includes 4 complete IELTS tests along recording scripts and audio for the listening test, answer keys for the reading and listening components and model answers for the writing section of the exam. They are a useful tool when practising for the exam, but in no way should be considered as a textbook or coursebook. These tests should only be used to practice skills that you have learned from other IELTS resources or teachers.