Can I reach Band 7+ just by using these books?

Yes, many students have. But consistent practice, mock tests, and honest self-review are just as important as good books.

How do I choose the right book for my level?

If you're a beginner, start with foundation books like Complete IELTS Bands 4–5. If you're aiming high, use strategy-focused books like Target Band 7 and practice-heavy ones like Cambridge IELTS 16.

Should I buy multiple books or just one?

Start with one strong core book (like The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS), then add specific books if you need extra help in areas like Writing or Vocabulary.

Are the practice tests in these books enough?

They’re a great start! Aim to complete at least 8–10 full tests before your real exam, timing yourself honestly.

20 Best IELTS Preparation Books for Students

“I’ve got just three months. I’m not sure where to start. Are these books enough to get me to Band 7?”

If you’ve ever had that thought, you’re not the only one. Every year, thousands of students find themselves caught in the same storm of uncertainty. YouTube videos. Language apps. Advice from all directions. And yet, no clear path.

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Preparing for the IELTS is about handling pressure, building confidence, and staying focused when your mind feels scattered.

This guide is here to be a calm in that storm.

We’re not just listing 20 books. We’re giving you a roadmap. One that’s honest, clear, and shaped by the real stories of students who struggled, persevered, and succeeded.

So, wherever you are in your journey, just starting or feeling stuck, know this: You're not alone. And you can do this. Let’s walk through it together.

Key Highlights:

Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Student’s Book is popular for its authentic past exam papers that simulate the real test experience.
The recommended books in the blog range from INR 400 to INR 2000, offering quality options for every budget.
Books like Barron’s IELTS Superpack and The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS provide complete coverage of all four IELTS sections.

Why Choosing the Right IELTS Book Matters More Than Ever

Let’s get honest.

The internet is flooded with IELTS “resources.” But the problem is that not all resources are created equal. Some are outdated. Others are just plain confusing. And the worst ones? They promise the moon and deliver dust.

The right book is like a personal mentor:

It gives you real, exam-like practice.
It explains why you’re making mistakes so you can correct them.
And it grows with you, from beginner nerves to confident readiness.

Now, let’s jump into the 20 best IELTS books that are tested by time, trusted by teachers, and loved by students.

1. Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Student’s Book

If you're looking for the closest thing to the real IELTS exam, this book is your go-to. It includes 4 full-length practice tests that look and feel just like the actual test. From the instructions to the answer sheet, everything is designed to mimic the real deal. It also comes with answer keys and explanations, helping you understand the why behind them. Students often say this book is what made everything “feel real.”

Feature	Details
Best For	Real exam practice
Why Students Love It	Feels exactly like the real test; helps reduce anxiety through familiarity
Student Tip	Use one test per week from month two of your prep. Time yourself honestly and review every question—even the ones you got right.
Reassurance	Many students say, “This is when I knew I was ready.”
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 5155

2. Complete IELTS Bands 4–5 (with CD-ROM)

Just starting your IELTS journey? Feeling unsure about grammar or vocabulary? This book was made with beginners in mind. It breaks everything down into easy, clear lessons that use relatable topics. Grammar and vocab are built into the lessons, not dumped on you randomly. It’s friendly, clear, and encouraging. That’s exactly what you need when IELTS feels too big.

Feature	Details
Best For	Beginners or students brushing up on basics
Why Students Love It	Simple language, engaging topics, step-by-step breakdowns
Student Tip	Take your time—one unit at a time. Use the new vocab in your own speaking or writing tasks.
Reassurance	Students say this book helped them stop feeling overwhelmed and finally get started with confidence.
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 530

3. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

This is a full-prep book trusted by thousands of test-takers. Whether you’re doing Academic or General Training, this guide walks you through every question type, explains strategies, and offers 8 full tests to work with. It also comes with videos and audio clips that help you practice listening and speaking in a real-life way. Students often call this their “IELTS Bible”, and for good reason.

Feature	Details
Best For	All-around preparation (Academic + General)
Why Students Love It	Direct from Cambridge; includes both strategy + practice; video/audio content included
Student Tip	Use this as your core prep book, and build a study plan around it. Mark strategies that work for you.
Reassurance	Feels like you’re learning from the people who made the exam. Students feel much more “in control.”
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 673

4. Barron’s IELTS Superpack

If you're someone who likes having everything in one place, like the books, CDs, flashcards, and practice tests, then this Superpack is your IELTS toolbox. It’s a bit bulky, yes, but that’s because it’s packed with value. You get multiple books that cover strategies, vocabulary, and full-length practice exams. It’s perfect if you like the idea of being fully covered without jumping between different resources.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students who want everything in one resource
Why Students Love It	Combines multiple books + audio + flashcards—no need to buy extras
Student Tip	Focus on the sections that match your weak spots. You don’t have to finish the whole pack.
Reassurance	Students say this book gave them structure when they were overwhelmed by too many prep options.
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 4226

5. Official IELTS Practice Materials Vol 1 & 2

Ever wondered why your answer didn’t score as high as you hoped? These two books are written by the official IELTS test partners and include real sample answers with comments from examiners. That means you’ll see how the test is scored. You will understand what makes an answer a Band 5 vs a Band 8. It’s a smart side book for improving your writing and speaking.

Feature	Details
Best For	Understanding how the IELTS is scored
Why Students Love It	Includes model answers with examiner feedback which are super useful for Writing and Speaking
Student Tip	After doing a task, compare your response with the model one. Use the examiner's notes to rewrite and improve.
Reassurance	Students say that knowing the scoring system helped them feel more confident and less “in the dark.”
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 1613

6. IELTS Trainer – Six Practice Tests

This book is like having a personal coach. The first two practice tests are “guided”, which means they explain how to approach each question step by step. Then, the remaining four are like real tests, perfect for timed practice. It’s a great in-between stage when you're past the basics but not quite ready to fly solo.

Feature	Details
Best For	Practice with feedback and strategy
Why Students Love It	Guided tests explain what to do and why—perfect for learning through doing
Student Tip	Treat the first two tests like mini-lessons. Don’t rush. Learn the strategy first, then practice under real-time pressure.
Reassurance	Students say this book helped them stop feeling like they were “just guessing” during practice.
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 2292

7. Mometrix IELTS Book

Not a fan of too much reading? Mometrix gets that. This book pairs prep content with video lessons so if you learn better by watching and listening, you’re in for a treat. It covers all four IELTS sections with straightforward strategies and points out common traps that trip students up. Great if you like learning with a little more interaction.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students who prefer video-based or visual learning
Why Students Love It	Comes with access to video tutorials that explain strategies and question types in a relaxed, clear way
Student Tip	Match each video with a related section in your book, and try the questions right after watching
Reassurance	Students say it made test prep feel less like a textbook chore and more like learning with a coach
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 1315

8. Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS

Vocabulary is a tricky area. If it’s too basic and you sound flat, or too advanced and you sound unnatural. This book helps you strike the right balance. It teaches the kind of vocabulary that appears on the test and builds it through context-rich activities. It also adds Listening and Speaking tasks, so the words stick better.

Feature	Details
Best For	Expanding test-appropriate vocabulary
Why Students Love It	Targets words that show up in IELTS and help you use them naturally in all 4 sections
Student Tip	Keep a personal “vocab bank” from this book. Review and reuse it in your writing/speaking often
Reassurance	Students say this book helped them level up their language without feeling overwhelmed or fake
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 7673

9. IELTS Foundation Coursebook

Just starting out? Or restarting after a long pause? This coursebook is designed to give you a gentle but solid start. It walks you through the essentials in simple English and uses real-world examples to build confidence. The listening tasks and mini-projects make it feel interactive rather than academic.

Feature	Details
Best For	Absolute beginners or students restarting after a gap
Why Students Love It	Super beginner-friendly tone, gradual pace, and interesting topics keep motivation high
Student Tip	If IELTS feels “too hard” right now, this is your soft launch. Master the basics first, then move to practice books
Reassurance	Students say this book helped them feel like, “Okay, I can do this. I just needed a proper starting point.”
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 4498

10. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7

This book was written by someone who took the IELTS herself, so the advice feels honest, relatable, and straight to the point. It’s full of smart strategies for each section, especially helpful if you’re short on time or feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t just teach you what to do; it tells you why it works.

Feature	Details
Best For	Busy students looking for quick, reliable strategies
Why Students Love It	Written in a friendly, real-talk tone by a former test taker who “gets it”
Student Tip	Focus on her hacks for the Writing and Reading sections—they save time and improve accuracy
Reassurance	Students often say, “It felt like this book was talking to me. It knew exactly what I was struggling with.”
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 1617

11. Career Launcher’s IELTS Academic Prep Set (6 Books)

If you love structure, checklists, and having all your materials in one place, this set is for you. It teaches you the logic behind the test. From grammar and writing to critical reading skills, this pack gives you step-by-step guidance across six well-designed books.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students who want a full study plan in one package
Why Students Love It	Covers everything—writing, vocabulary, grammar, logic—with books that build skills progressively
Student Tip	Start with the book that matches your weakest skill and follow the sequence to see clear improvement
Reassurance	Students who feel overwhelmed by scattered prep say this set gave them structure and peace of mind
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 790

12. Makkar IELTS Graphs from Past Exams

Struggling with Academic Writing Task 1? You’re not alone. This book is a lifesaver. It collects real graph/chart/map questions from past IELTS tests, along with sample answers that show you exactly how to structure your response and use proper vocabulary. Perfect for students aiming to break past the Band 6 wall.

Feature	Details
Best For	Academic students working on Task 1 (charts, graphs, diagrams)
Why Students Love It	Offers real IELTS Writing Task 1 questions with model answers and sample vocab
Student Tip	Read the model first, then write your version and compare—note how data is grouped and explained
Reassurance	Students say this book took the fear out of Task 1 by making it feel clear, structured, and repeatable
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 350

13. English Collocations in Use

Sounding fluent is about knowing which words go naturally together. That’s where collocations come in. This book helps you learn expressions like “make a decision” or “take a break,” so your speaking and writing feels smooth and natural, exactly what IELTS examiners look for.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students aiming to improve fluency in Speaking and Writing
Why Students Love It	Teaches natural-sounding word combinations that boost confidence and coherence in responses
Student Tip	Learn 3–5 collocations a day and actually use them in writing or mock interviews
Reassurance	Students say this book finally helped them sound less robotic and more like “real English speakers”
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 2359

14. English Vocabulary in Use (All Levels)

Think of this as your personal vocabulary library. With Beginner to Advanced levels, this series covers all the essential words and phrases you’ll need for IELTS. It’s student-friendly, well-structured, and full of practice exercises that help you retain what you learn.

Feature	Details
Best For	Building vocabulary from the ground up
Why Students Love It	Clear layout, level-wise options, and tons of self-check exercises make this an easy daily habit
Student Tip	Don’t binge! Take one unit a day and revise old units weekly for long-term memory gains
Reassurance	This is the vocab book used in classrooms around the world—students say it gives them a strong base they can build on
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 10506

15. New Insight Into IELTS

Some students prep hard but still feel unsure about how the IELTS test works. This book fixes that. It gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the test format, question styles, and examiner expectations. Great for the curious student who wants to prep smart, not just hard.

Feature	Details
Best For	Understanding how the IELTS works behind the scenes
Why Students Love It	Explains the test’s logic and structure—perfect if you feel confused or overwhelmed by the format
Student Tip	Use this early in your prep to plan your study strategy—it’ll make later practice feel more meaningful
Reassurance	Students say this book gave them a “lightbulb moment” and made IELTS feel less mysterious and more like a skill to master
Where to Buy	Flipkart
Approximate Cost	INR 581

16. Cambridge Grammar for IELTS

Grammar is often the trickiest part of the IELTS, but it’s also crucial to your score. This book takes the fear out of grammar by breaking it down in the context of IELTS tasks so you’re not just memorizing rules but learning how to use them to your advantage in the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections.

Feature	Details
Best For	Grammar-focused students who want to apply grammar rules directly to IELTS tasks
Why Students Love It	Teaches grammar in context, making it easier to apply during real IELTS tests
Student Tip	Focus on one grammar unit per week. Apply it directly to your writing and speaking to see real improvements
Reassurance	Students often say this book helped them stop making common grammar mistakes, leading to higher scores in Writing and Speaking
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 409

17. IELTS Advantage: Writing Skills

Writing is often the hardest section to crack, especially for those aiming for a Band 7 or higher. This book offers step-by-step guidance on how to improve your writing, breaking down different types of essays (opinion, problem-solution, etc.) with model answers and clear strategies for success.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students aiming for a Band 7+ in Writing
Why Students Love It	Provides clear, practical strategies and model answers that show how strong writers approach essays
Student Tip	Try writing essays based on the sample answers, then compare your version to the models. This is how you’ll improve quickly
Reassurance	Many students say this book gave them a “boost” to break through their Band 6 barrier, helping them reach their Band 7 goal
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 275

18. IELTS Advantage: Reading Skills

Do you often find yourself running out of time or getting stuck on difficult passages? This book helps you build the skills needed to tackle tricky reading questions, including how to skim, scan, and paraphrase effectively to avoid traps and boost your reading speed.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students who struggle with reading comprehension or timing in the IELTS Reading section
Why Students Love It	Breaks down strategies to read smarter, not harder, while also helping you spot “trap” answers
Student Tip	Underline key words in the passage, then use those to find the right answers. Practicing this will make your answers more accurate
Reassurance	Students often say this book gave them more time to finish reading—and even a few extra minutes to check their answers
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 195

19. IELTS Advantage: Listening & Speaking Skills

The Listening and Speaking sections can be intimidating, especially when you're not used to real-life conversations or fast-paced audio. This book gives you tips, practice exercises, and strategies for boosting your confidence in both areas. It helps you with speaking naturally and understanding fast, complex dialogues. These skills are also key to scoring well.

Feature	Details
Best For	Students who want to build confidence and improve their performance in the Listening and Speaking sections
Why Students Love It	Focuses on speaking fluently and listening accurately, with practical advice and real-world practice questions
Student Tip	Record yourself answering speaking questions from the book, listen back, and focus on areas to improve
Reassurance	Many students who were shy or unsure about speaking say this book helped them speak more confidently and sound more fluent
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 179

20. English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy

This is one of the most popular grammar books in the world, and for good reason. It’s perfect for students who want to work through grammar issues at their own pace. Each unit comes with exercises to reinforce the rules, making it a great resource for tackling specific grammar problems you encounter while preparing for the IELTS.

Feature	Details
Best For	Independent grammar review at your own pace
Why Students Love It	Simple explanations with plenty of practice exercises that help reinforce key grammar concepts
Student Tip	Bookmark any tricky grammar areas and review them regularly to make sure they stick when you need them on test day
Reassurance	Teachers swear by this book, and students love how easy it makes grammar. It’s saved countless students from last-minute panic
Where to Buy	Amazon
Approximate Cost	INR 17336

Final Thoughts

IELTS isn’t about luck. It’s about preparation with a purpose. These books are the voices of people who’ve taken the test, taught others, and cracked the code.

Whether you’re aiming for immigration, a scholarship, or your dream university, the right IELTS prep book is an investment in your future.

So, pick wisely. Start early. Stick to the plan. And remember that you’re not alone on this journey.

If you’re unsure where to begin or stuck in the middle, talk to an IELTS expert, join a free webinar, or connect with others who are prepping like you. The path to Band 7+ is absolutely possible, and you’re already halfway there.

From the Desk of Yocket

Feeling unsure about where to start with IELTS books? You’re not the only one. Many students feel overwhelmed at first. And that’s completely okay!

At Yocket Prep, we’ve created this guide to make things clearer and calmer. And with Yocket Prep, you’ll get expert resources, mock tests, and personal support to help you stay on track.

Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Start small, stay steady. Don’t forget that we are right here with you every step of the way.