IELTS General Training books, the IDP booklet and free preparation for Canada
IDP lists one official title, Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 (with DVD), as for IELTS General Training as well as Academic and the UKVI versions, and says you can buy it from Cambridge.org or an IELTS test centre. IDP also offers a free IELTS Support tools booklet, and the owners publish free General Training sample questions and PDFs. We found no PDF of a whole Cambridge practice book.
If you are looking for General Training books, three questions come up: which book, whether it is free, and whether a PDF is the real thing. This page answers each one from the owners' own pages. It also covers the free preparation that IDP and the British Council offer in Canada, and a plan of ours that uses it.
Which IELTS books you need depends on which IELTS you take
For Canada, that usually means General Training.
IELTS has an Academic version and a General Training version. IDP says that for Express Entry you need General Training. For study, the organisation you apply to decides.
"Please remember, you must take the General Training option. IRCC does not accept the Academic option for Express Entry."
"The organization where you plan to work or study sets the requirements. So, before registering for your test, it’s good to check which one is right for you."
IDP also says which parts of the test change between the two versions. This matters when you buy a book.
"The IELTS Writing and Reading tests are different in the Academic and General Training tests."
So Listening and Speaking practice in any IELTS book is useful to you. The Reading and Writing practice has to be the General Training kind, with everyday texts and a letter. For the formats, see below. For what score you need, check your programme's page and our IELTS to CLB page.
IELTS General Training books
What the owners say, and how to check a book before you buy it.
IDP says what its official preparation books do. It names one title in its list and says which tests that title is for.
"The Official IELTS Preparation Books will help you prepare better for your IELTS test. These useful books will give you an overview of what you will find in the real test, what the questions will look like, as well as provide you with some practice tests."
IDP names one of the books, Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 (with DVD), and lists four tests it is for, General Training among them.
- IELTS Academic.
- IELTS General Training.
- IELTS for UKVI Academic.
- IELTS for UKVI General Training.
"Exercises for Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing (Academic and General Training), answer keys, answer sheets, sample tests, and explanations of each component are all included in this book."
In each book, IDP says you will do four things.
- Learn more about the sections and format of the test, as well as how many questions and how much time you should dedicate to each section.
- See samples of the different question types that are used in the test.
- Complete practice tests and review the results.
- Learn strategies to increase your band score.
For that title IDP says where to buy it.
"You can buy it now from Cambridge.org or from your nearest IELTS test centre."
Cambridge University Press and Assessment describes one title, Official IELTS Practice Materials 1, in similar terms, and says who it is for.
"The book contains: practice tests for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (both Academic and General Training); Listening, Reading and Writing answer sheets; Listening and Reading practice test answer keys and Listening tapescripts; sample candidate Writing responses and examiner comments; sample candidate Speaking tests and examiner comments."
"The Official IELTS Practice Materials are recommended for anyone who wants to improve their IELTS band score or test if their English is at the required level to take IELTS."
Check the cover before you buy
Not every IELTS book covers General Training. Cambridge's own catalogue lists one numbered book as an Academic title, in these words.
"Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Student's Book with Answers"
Our reading: the catalogue text we read does not say whether each newer title also has General Training Reading and Writing. Before you pay, open the product page and look for the words General Training. If the book is Academic only, it will not give you letter practice or the everyday Reading texts.
Practice-test books, course books and a vocabulary book
Cambridge's IELTS catalogue, by title.
If you want an IELTS preparation textbook, the catalogue lists different kinds, and you will probably need a mix. Practice-test books give you timed papers. Course books teach the skills. A vocabulary book builds words. The table shows the Cambridge titles we saw, with the level and date the catalogue gives. We list no prices.
| Title in the catalogue | Published | CEFR level listed |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS 21 Practice Tests | July 2026 | Not listed in the text we read |
| IELTS 20 Practice Test | July 2025 | Not listed in the text we read |
| IELTS 19 | June 2024 | B1-C1 |
| IELTS 18 Authentic Practice Tests | July 2023 | Not listed in the text we read |
| IELTS 17 Authentic Practice Tests | June 2022 | B1-C2 |
| The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS | May, 2025 | B2-C1 |
| IELTS Trainer 2: Six Practice Tests | May 2019 | B1-C1 |
| Complete IELTS | January 2012 | B1-C1 |
| IELTS Vocabulary For Bands 6.5 and above | March, 2021 | C1-C2 |
The CEFR level is Cambridge's own label for the English level a book suits. A book listed as B1 to C1 spans a wide range. The vocabulary book is listed at C1 to C2, which is high. Our reading: if your English is nearer the middle of the range, start with a practice-test book or a course book, and keep the vocabulary book for later.
IELTS.org also lists books among its own preparation resources.
"From practice tests to expert advice, our books have everything you need to get test ready."
Cambridge IELTS PDFs and the IDP booklet
Free PDFs exist, but they are the owners' sample papers and booklets.
If you are looking for a Cambridge IELTS PDF, a Cambridge IELTS books PDF or the IDP IELTS booklet, this is what the owners offer.
| What you want | What the owner publishes |
|---|---|
| IDP's free booklet | Download our free IELTS Support tools book to help you prepare for IELTS. The free preparation booklet is packed with useful information about the test format, questions you might encounter on test day and tips to get the most out of your test preparation. |
| General Training practice questions | You can access and download official IELTS General Training practice questions along with sample answer sheets. |
| General Training Writing PDFs | General Training Writing sample tasks (PDF, 1.37mb) |
| Sample questions on IELTS.org | IELTS General Training - sample test questions |
The IDP Support tools book is the free IDP booklet we found. IDP's page for the Speaking test also names another booklet, the Information for Candidates booklet.
"A description of the three parts of the interview is found in the Information for Candidates booklet."
We did not find a link to that booklet in the pages we read, so we do not point you to one.
Our reading: we found no PDF of a whole Cambridge practice book on the Cambridge pages we read. The pages list the books for sale, and IDP says to buy them from Cambridge.org or a test centre. If a site offers a whole numbered Cambridge book as a free PDF, ask where it came from. The free owner PDFs above are the ones to use.
Free General Training preparation in Canada
IDP Canada, the British Council in Canada, and IELTS.org.
IDP Canada has a General Training preparation page.
"Discover our official IELTS practice materials, support tools and Expert tips to start off your IELTS General Training preparation."
"You can access and download official IELTS General Training practice questions along with sample answer sheets."
The page links one section for each part of the test.
- IELTS General Training Listening.
- IELTS General Training Reading.
- IELTS General Training Writing.
- IELTS General Training Speaking.
IDP's General Training and UKVI materials page lists practice by Reading question type, such as these.
- IELTS General Training Reading : Matching Headings.
- IELTS General Training Reading : Flow chart completion.
- IELTS General Training Reading : Sentence Completion.
IDP Canada's new computer practice tests say what they are for.
"The new IELTS on computer familiarisation tests will give you an accurate idea of what to expect on test day."
- Get familiar with the IELTS test format.
- Gain experience with real-time test conditions.
- Practice real IELTS test tasks.
- Improve your answers by giving you access to IELTS model answers.
Those tests include General Training Reading sets and answer keys.
- General Training Reading Flow chart completion Start the General Training Reading flow chart completion practice test Download the answer key.
The British Council in Canada
The British Council's Canada site says what you get before you book, and after.
- With IELTS Ready Member, you’ll access the following benefits:
- Six free practice test covering all four IELTS skills.
- One IELTS familiarisation test.
- Videos, exercises and tips from teachers.
After you book, it says there is more.
- If you have booked your IELTS Test with the British Council, you get free access to a wide range of IELTS preparation materials, including personalised study plans, practice questions, and interactive activities.
- IELTS Ready Premium is free and unlimited for British Council IELTS test takers.
- 40 full IELTS practice tests with scores and model answers, plus optional AI feedback to help identify areas for improvement.
Its free IELTS Ready page also lists two kinds of mock test.
- A 50-minute Mini Mock Test with AI feedback and an estimated band score to help you understand your current level and test readiness.
- Two full IELTS mock tests with feedback and model answers.
IELTS.org itself lists sample test questions for General Training.
- Free practice papers and resources to help you succeed.
- IELTS General Training - sample test questions.
The free online course: two versions from IDP
IDP Canada's news page and its preparation guide say different things.
IDP Canada's news page, dated 19/08/2024, and its preparation guide, dated 14/03/2024, describe the free online course when you book in two different ways. We show both. Check on IDP's booking page which one applies, and whether it is still offered.
| Source | What IDP says |
|---|---|
| IDP Canada news page, 19/08/2024: the offer | Book your IELTS test with a participating test centre and get free access to an online preparation course for 30 days. |
| IDP Canada news page, 19/08/2024: the choice | You'll have free access to the module of your choice for 30 days when you book your IDP IELTS test in most parts of the world. |
| IDP Canada news page, 19/08/2024: what you get | Your choice of module from Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking; Up to 25 hours of online study time; A free practice test in your chosen module; Detailed feedback and model answers for all activities |
| IDP Canada guide, 14/03/2024: the offer | If you book IELTS, you’ll get access to a free online preparation course worth $80. |
| IDP Canada guide, 14/03/2024: one skill | One skill package: Focused on your chosen IELTS skill (Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking) with access to all premium related study materials for 30 days. |
| IDP Canada guide, 14/03/2024: all skills | All skills package: Unlimited access to premium study materials on all four IELTS skills for 4 days. |
The two pages describe different packages, and the guide gives its $80 with no currency. The news page describes one module for 30 days. The guide describes either one skill for 30 days or all four skills for 4 days. Our reading: before you rely on either, read the offer on the booking page you use. Think about the time too: a 30-day module suits one weak skill, and a 4-day all-skills pack suits a last look at everything.
IDP says paid options are not always better.
"These resources aren’t necessarily better than the free ones; they’re just more detailed and often include personalised feedback for each test-taker."
"Get premium preparation with the Full IELTS Mock Test and see how you perform across all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). Receive your estimated band score right away and get personalised study guidance and access to live classes, so you can prepare for the real test with confidence."
We have not tested these paid options and list no prices.
The General Training paper in one place
What your books should match.
| Part | What IELTS and IDP say |
|---|---|
| Listening | Listening Time allowed: Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet) |
| Reading | Reading Time allowed: 60 minutes (including transfer time) |
| Writing | Time allowed: 60 minutes Number of tasks: 2 |
| Writing Task 1 | In Task 1, you have to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example, asking for information or explaining a situation. You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. |
| Writing Task 2 | In Task 2, you are given a point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss. You need to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. |
| Speaking | Speaking Time allowed: 11-14 minutes |
The transfer time applies when you write your answers on an answer sheet. IDP Australia says that on the computer test there is no need to transfer Listening and Reading answers to an answer sheet. Check with your test centre which version you booked.
General Training Reading is different from the Academic version. IDP describes the texts.
- You will be presented with five or six texts of varying length with tasks.
- Section 1: contains two or three short texts or several shorter texts on everyday topics.
- Section 2: contains two short, work-related, factual texts.
- Section 3: contains one longer text on a topic of general interest.
- The texts will come from a variety of sources (e.g. advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books, newspapers).
"The General Training Reading test requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter daily in an English-speaking environment."
Listening is the same in both versions.
- You will listen to four recorded texts - two monologues and two conversations.
- You will hear the recordings once only.
Our reading: for General Training Reading, practise on notices, adverts, workplace handbooks and short articles, because those are the texts. For Writing, practise letters as well as essays. See our IELTS letter writing and essay samples and our writing practice test.
A four-week General Training plan
Ours. It uses free practice sets and one book at most.
This plan assumes you have a General Training book or the free practice sets above. It uses about five study sessions a week, each 60 to 90 minutes. The full paper in week 4 is the exception: Listening, Reading and Writing take about 2 hours 30 minutes (30 + 60 + 60), so give it its own session.
| Week | Aim | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Know the paper | Read the format for each part. Sit one timed Listening test and one timed Reading test. List every question type you got wrong. |
| 2 | Reading and Listening | Drill the question types you missed. Time every Reading passage at 20 minutes. Read one everyday text each day, such as a notice, an advert or a policy page, and answer five questions you write yourself. |
| 3 | Letters and speaking | Write one formal, one semi-formal and one informal letter, 20 minutes each. Mark them for purpose, tone, three bullet points and format. Record three Speaking answers. |
| 4 | Essay and full papers | Write two essays, 40 minutes each. Then sit one full paper under test conditions: Listening, Reading and Writing in one go. Mark it and fix your three most common mistakes. |
If you are testing for a Canadian programme, find the score you need first. Work backwards from it: for each skill, the gap between your practice result and the score is your main job. For more on the levels, see IELTS to CLB. This page is general test preparation. It is not immigration advice, and the owner's pages and IRCC's pages decide what is required.
"Successful students create a schedule to help them study everything they need to know before they sit an IELTS test. They make time to practise all four English topics – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – as they know that each one is different."
"Even if you speak English fluently, it’s important to spend a bit of time preparing for your IELTS test so you don’t face any unpleasant surprises on the day of your test."
Common questions
IDP says one official title, Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 (with DVD), is for IELTS General Training as well as Academic and the UKVI versions, and that you can buy it from Cambridge.org or your nearest IELTS test centre. Check the product page for the words General Training before you buy any numbered Cambridge practice book.
IDP offers a free IELTS Support tools book. IDP says the free preparation booklet is packed with useful information about the test format, questions you might encounter on test day and tips to get the most out of your test preparation.
We found no PDF of a whole Cambridge practice book on the Cambridge pages we read. Cambridge lists its IELTS books for sale, and IDP says to buy them from Cambridge.org or a test centre. The owners do publish free PDFs, such as the British Council's General Training Writing sample tasks (PDF, 1.37mb).
Not that we could find on the owners' pages. IDP says you can access and download official IELTS General Training practice questions along with sample answer sheets, and IELTS.org lists General Training sample test questions.
Cambridge's catalogue lists practice-test books such as IELTS 17 to IELTS 21, a book called Complete IELTS (published January 2012, so check that it covers the current test), and a vocabulary book for bands 6.5 and above. Choose by level and by what you need: timed papers, skills teaching or vocabulary. We do not rank them.
IDP calls them the Official IELTS Preparation Books and says they give an overview of what you will find in the real test, what the questions will look like, and some practice tests. It names Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 (with DVD) and says you can buy that title from Cambridge.org or your nearest IELTS test centre.
IDP Canada's news page, dated 19/08/2024, says that if you book with a participating test centre you get free access to an online preparation course for 30 days. IDP Canada's guide, dated 14/03/2024, describes a different package worth $80, with no currency shown. Read the offer on the booking page you use.
IDP says you must take the General Training option, and that IRCC does not accept the Academic option for Express Entry. Check IRCC's own pages for the current rule.