IELTS Exam 2025: Preparation Material, Tips and Practice Tests

IELTS is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests among Indians planning to study, work, or live in English-speaking countries. It is widely recognized by universities, professional institutions, and immigration authorities as valid proof of English language skills.

IELTS Exam Preparation 2025

Cracking IELTS Exam for a band score of 7.0 and above requires a detailed understanding of the test format and consistent practice. AECC experts follow a proven 4-step rule to ensure candidates never walk away with a dull score. These steps are designed to build confidence, sharpen skills, and tackle each section of the test strategically for maximum results.

• Getting to know the IELTS: The first step is understanding the IELTS test format, sections, syllabus, types of questions, and the grading system. Even the details like when to attempt the test and where to take the test make a big difference in the IELTS overall score. Keep in mind the more you understand, the more power you have to make an informed decision.
• Solve Mock Tests: Now you must be an excellent English speaker, but scoring in IELTS comes with intense practice and precision. Get your hands on trusted IELTS mock test papers and practise them religiously to see better results.
• Rectify the Error: The key to success in IELTS lies in analysing your mistakes during practice tests and actively working to improve them. Identifying where you go wrong helps you avoid repeating those mistakes on test day. Get guidance from experts to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus your efforts where they matter most.
• Exam Day: It is not just about what you know, but how you manage your time, stay calm, and approach each section strategically. In this blog, we will share practical tips and test-day strategies to help you perform at your best—so keep reading.

IELTS Preparation Tips by Sections

Now that we have covered the IELTS preparation strategy, the next step is to understand the IELTS sections and tips and strategies to prepare for them. So, here we go.

IELTS Reading Tips

• Make Reading a Daily Habit (But Keep It Fun)
• Mix academic reading with something you genuinely enjoy—blogs, newspapers, books, or even visual content like flowcharts and maps. Spend at least 20 minutes a day immersed in English.
• As you read, jot down new words and their meanings to build your IELTS vocabulary over time. Make quick notes or summaries to check your understanding and track progress.
• Set a daily reminder to stay consistent and monitor your reading pace. Better yet, read with friends and discuss your takeaways in English—it is a great way to sharpen both comprehension and communication skills.

IELTS Writing Tips

The writing test has two sections: one section asks you to describe a visual representation, and the other asks you to write a point of view, argument, or problem you need to discuss. You can prepare for the writing section for IELTS by doing the following:

• Start by keeping a daily journal. Write about your day, a memorable experience, or even a conversation you had with a friend or stranger. Be as descriptive as possible—this helps you get comfortable with expressing ideas clearly.
• When reading newspapers or magazines, choose a headline or topic and write a short opinion piece on it. Limit yourself to 250 words to practise presenting your thoughts concisely—just like in the IELTS Writing Task 2.
• Most importantly, have your writing reviewed by someone proficient in English. Their feedback will help you spot errors and track your progress over time.

IELTS Listening Tips

The IELTS listening section is divided into four parts covering everyday social interactions and educational situations. These recordings will be played only once and will be in different accents like British, Australian, New Zealand, and North American. The preparation tips to excel in IELTS listening include:

• Make English a part of your daily routine by listening to podcasts, news segments, or even your favourite songs. Just 15–20 minutes a day can make a big difference.
• Pay close attention to different dialects and accents—understanding them is crucial for scoring well in the IELTS Listening section. British, Australian, and North American accents often show up in the test, so get familiar with how they sound.
• As you listen, take quick notes to see how much you understood. This will help sharpen both your focus and memory.
• And here is a bonus tip: try summarising what you heard in your words—it is a great way to build both listening and writing skills at once.

IELTS Speaking Tips

• Get comfortable expressing your thoughts in English by speaking with friends, classmates, or peers regularly. The more you use the language in real conversations, the more confident and fluent you will become.
• Another great exercise? Listen to English content—like interviews, YouTube videos, or podcasts—and pause to repeat the lines out loud. Mimicking tone and pronunciation help improve clarity and accent. Try doing this for just 15 minutes a day.
• Record yourself while speaking or practising conversations—it is one of the most effective ways to identify areas for improvement. You will quickly notice patterns in grammar, pronunciation, or pacing that you can work on.
• And don't shy away from speaking in front of a mirror or joining English-speaking groups online. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Tips to get the Best IELTS Score

Your IELTS overall score is the average of the four section scores—listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section is scored individually, and if you are unsure how the marking works, check out our blog on the IELTS exam.

IELTS Study Material Recommendations 2025

The ideal IELTS test preparation should include using multiple sources such as the best books, YouTube videos, apps, and webinars to prepare for the IELTS exam. Here is a list of the best study material for your IELTS preparation.

Best Books for IELTS Preparation:

Official IELTS Practice Materials (volume 2) by IELTS

• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS by Cambridge
• Mindset for IELTS by Cambridge
• IELTS 19 Academic by Cambridge
• IELTS Superpack by Barron's

Available Courses Online

• IELTS Ready Member by British Council: Provides students with free access to essential resources such as sample questions, model answers, and vocabulary exercises. There is also a premium version available that gives you access to 40 practice tests.
• IELTS Coach: Personalised online coaching provided by British Council at a fee
• Face to Face IELTS Preparation: Offered by experts at British Council

Videos and Apps

• LearnEnglish Podcast app
• LearnEnglish Video app
• IELTS Official Channel (YouTube)

Articles for IELTS Reading Section

• BBC News Magazine
• National Geographic
• Australian Geographic

Audios for the IELTS Listening Section

• BBC Radio 4
• BBC Radio 4: The Interview Archive
• The English We Speak (BBC Learning English)

IELTS Test Day Tips

Being prepared and feeling confident on the day of the test is most important to do your best. Here are the steps that will help you do your best on the day of the IELTS test:

• Confirm your IELTS test date, time, and venue in advance. Set an alarm and give yourself enough time to arrive without rushing.
• Carry the same ID you used to book your test. No ID or the wrong one means no test—don't risk it.
• Take deep breaths if you feel anxious. Read each question carefully and don't rush—accuracy matters more than speed.
• Understand IELTS test regulations. Leave your personal belongings outside, switch off electronic devices, and visit the restroom beforehand—no breaks are allowed during the 2 hours 40 minutes of test time.
• There are clocks in the test room or on your screen. Keep an eye on time and pace yourself to complete every section.

IELTS is all about evaluating how comfortable you are in English to be able to study, work and move to a native English-speaking country. So, the more English becomes your nature, the more you improve your chances of scoring big in IELTS. For expert advice, trust AECC; we have been helping students with top-notch IELTS scores for years now, and you can also benefit from us. Just speak to an AECC expert today.