IELTS Sample Papers

Where Can You Find Sample Papers for IELTS?
IELTS or International English Language Testing System is a standardized test that you have to take up if you are interested in studying or taking residency in an English speaking nation like the UK,USA, Australia and New Zealand. The IELTS tests a person's command over the English language. This exam tests the writing, reading, listening and speaking skills.
The skills that are tested in IELTS can be learnt and mastered. As the old adage goes, "Practice makes a man perfect", more practice and working out sample papers increase your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the English language. With enough practice you can master these skills. IELTS sample papers help you to achieve this. A thorough preparation by working out as many sample papers as possible will make you get a score that is a few points higher than the score you get before these practice tests.


There are many books and websites that have these IELTS sample papers. Many coaching companies and websites offer free sample papers. The owners of the IELTS, British Council, Cambridge ESOL and IDP-IELTS Australia offer a few sample papers. You have to identify the good sample papers and use them to prepare. For distinguishing the good ones, you can use the authority that is publishing these IELTS sample papers as a criterion.
The best sample papers are those that are highly similar in structure to the original IELTS test. Here we shall see a few websites that offer the best mock IELTS test papers.

IELTS - http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample.aspx
IELTS itself offers IELTS sample papers. These can be accessed at the site given above. As this is published by the IELTS itself, it is very useful and similar to the real IELTS test. Here sample papers are given separately for each of the sections tested in IELTS. These sample papers should not be missed while preparing for the IELTS test.
British Council - http://www.englishonline.org.cn/en/exams-work
British Council, one of the owners of IELTS offers IELTS sample papers for all the sections of the test. You can access these test papers by using the above website link. This is another of the websites for sample papers that should not be missed.
Cambridge ESOL - http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exam-preparation/index.html#ielts
Cambridge ESOL, co-owner of the IELTS has sample papers that can be accessed on payment of a fee. You can preview or try and later buy them to practice the IELTS tests.
IDP-IELTS Australia - http://www.ieltsessentials.com/prepare/sample_questions.aspx
Another co-owner of the IELTS is the IDP-IELTS Australia. They too offer sample papers. These sample papers can be downloaded from the above mentioned site. There are many types of questions in the IELTS test like sentence completion, matching, multiple choice, short answer and plan/map/diagram labeling. All these types of questions are covered in these sample tests.
World English - http://www.world-english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm
This is a website that has resources for learning and teaching the English language. They have sample IELTS papers for each of the sections in the test.
IELTS Success - http://www.ieltssuccess.com/IELTS-Sample-Papers.html
This website has been created by British English Teachers. You have to create an account in this website. You can then start using their resources for IELTS preparation. This is a paid resource. You can subscribe for 1, 2 or 3 months subscription.
These sample papers must be taken under timed condition. Time is one of the most crucial factors that determine the score you get in the IELTS test. You can take each of the sections separately and time it. Try to take different sections on one day. All the effort you take in solving these mock IELTS test papers will show in your high score.