Cambridge Publications

Research Notes

Research Notes is Cambridge ESOL's quarterly newsletter reporting on matters relating to research, test development and validation of all of Cambridge ESOL's language testing products and teaching awards. Research Notes regularly includes articles on IELTS which report on test performance and keep test stakeholders up to date with ongoing development of the test.

Issues of Research Notes are available for download from the Cambridge ESOL website at   cambridgeesol.org/researchnotes Each issue can be downloaded as an Acrobat PDF file. Viewing PDF files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, and free software is available from Adobe.

If you are looking for articles on IELTS or related topics, you can use the Search facility. Search by Exam, Skill or Area, and then download the article you are interested in. Search for Research Notes articles

Studies in Language Testing

Studies in Language Testing is a series of volumes focusing on important developments in language testing. The series is produced by Cambridge ESOL in conjunction with Cambridge University Press under the editorship of Dr Michael Milanovic and Prof Cyril Weir. Titles in the series will be of considerable interest to test users, language test developers and researchers; several of the volumes due to appear in 2005/6 will have a specific focus on IELTS. The volumes can be ordered direct from Cambridge University Press (click here) or are available from local booksellers.

Free Samples

We produce a wide range of learning and practice materials to help you to prepare for your test. There are some free samples here for you to download, and you can purchase a full set of practice materials from your nearest test centre .

It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test.

The IELTS Official Practice Materials have been produced according to Cambridge ESOL's Question Paper Production cycle and are the only preparation resources that are endorsed by all three IELTS partners.

IELTS Official Practice Materials

The IELTS Official Practice Materials book was updated in January 2005, containing a complete new Listening test and nine new Academic and General Training Writing tasks.

There is also a detailed explanation of the revised assessment criteria for Writing tests, with 10 scripts rated according to the new rating scales plus examiner comments.

Click here to order the IELTS Official Practice Materials.

Click here to view the Official IELTS Practice materials – Half Bands updates

Online Sample Materials

Academic Reading Sample
Academic Writing Sample
General Training Reading Sample
General Training Writing Sample
Speaking Sample

If you would like further assistance with test preparation, many IELTS test centres and language schools offer IELTS preparation courses. There are also other publications available from bookshops or direct from the publishers which familiarise candidates with the format and style of the IELTS test.