IELTS Practice Test Plus: Full Review & Study Tips

IELTS Practice Test Plus is a trusted series for IELTS preparation, featuring full test sets with answers, score guides, and examiner insights. Whether you're aiming for Band 5 or Band 8, each volume offers real exam practice, common mistake analysis, and proven test-taking strategies

I. Introduction to IELTS Practice Test Plus

IELTS Practice Test Plus is a popular test preparation book series published by Pearson for students aiming to improve their IELTS scores. With content designed to closely resemble the actual exam format, it helps learners gain practical experience and confidence before taking the test.

The series consists of three volumes:

• IELTS Practice Test Plus 1
• IELTS Practice Test Plus 2
• IELTS Practice Test Plus 3

Each volume includes full practice tests for all four IELTS skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), along with answer keys, model responses, and valuable analysis of common mistakes.

Key Features of the Book:

• Includes complete tests covering all four IELTS skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
• Each test is accompanied by answer keys, score conversion tables, and the full audio transcripts for Listening.
• The Writing section provides model answers written at Band 7+, with annotations and examiner-style commentary.
• Speaking practice includes sample questions for Parts 1, 2, and 3, helping students become familiar with speaking structures and response types.
• Common mistakes are identified and thoroughly explained, helping learners avoid common pitfalls in the test.

Bonus Materials (varies by edition):

• Audio CDs or streaming links for the Listening tests
• Tapescripts for Listening — ideal for follow-up reading and vocabulary support
• Expert tips and explanations from examiners to guide test-taking techniques

With these resources, IELTS Practice Test Plus functions not just as a test book but as a guided coach. Regardless of your target score — Band 5.5 or Band 8.0 — the book’s realistic practice and detailed feedback are highly valuable for serious IELTS candidates.

2. IELTS Practice Test Plus 1 vs 2 vs 3: Which One Is Best for You?

The IELTS Practice Test Plus series consists of three volumes. While all follow the same exam format, each book offers different levels of difficulty, types of explanations, and target learner profiles.

Each newer volume reflects more current IELTS topics and test formats. Learners targeting higher scores may find the later volumes more useful for exam simulation and challenge.

• Question Design and Complexity: Volume 3 tends to feature more abstract or technical language, especially in the Reading and Writing sections. Volume 1 is more beginner-friendly and better suited for foundation building.
• Answer Explanations and Feedback: Volume 1 offers minimal explanation for correct and incorrect answers. Volume 2 introduces strategic commentaries and sample responses. Volume 3 includes detailed examiner-style analysis and high-scoring models.
• Writing and Speaking Models: Volumes 2 and 3 provide more complete and updated samples, helping learners understand what a higher band response looks like.
• Design and Layout: Later volumes offer clearer structure and page design, which make them easier to follow for self-learners.

If your current goal is to reach Band 5.0–5.5, start with Practice Test Plus 1 to build familiarity with test structure. If you are targeting Band 6.0–6.5, Practice Test Plus 2 is a strong choice with well-balanced difficulty. For Band 7.0 and above, Practice Test Plus 3 offers the right level of challenge and quality of feedback.

II. The pros & cons of the IELTS Practice Test Plus

Like any study resource, the IELTS Practice Test Plus series comes with both advantages and limitations. Understanding these will help learners decide whether this book is suitable for their preparation needs and how to use it most effectively.

Pros

• Covers All Four Skills: Each volume includes full practice tests for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, closely following the real IELTS test format.
• Detailed Answer Keys and Explanations: Books, especially Volumes 2 and 3, provide answer keys with in-depth feedback, helping learners analyze mistakes and improve performance.
• Academic-Level Difficulty: The questions simulate the tone and structure of the actual IELTS Academic test, making it ideal for those aiming for higher scores.
• High-Scoring Writing Samples and Commentary: Writing tasks include band 7.0+ sample answers with examiner-style notes, which help learners understand scoring criteria.
• Speaking Test Guidance: Each volume presents realistic speaking prompts for all three parts, along with useful notes on how to respond.
• Authentic Practice with Listening Audio: Original recordings are included or available online, providing realistic accents and audio quality for listening test simulation.

Cons

• Not Designed for Complete Beginners”: The level of language and test difficulty may overwhelm those below Band 5.0 or without basic IELTS knowledge.
• Limited Grammar or Vocabulary Instruction: The books assume that learners already have a foundation in grammar and vocabulary. They are designed for test practice, not language instruction.
• Writing and Speaking Feedback is One-Way: While useful, the included comments cannot replace real feedback from a teacher or IELTS coach.
• Some Content May Feel Slightly Outdated: Volume 1 in particular was published many years ago, so learners may notice differences in topic styles or question design from today’s IELTS versions.

Overall, the IELTS Practice Test Plus series is a strong and widely trusted tool for mid- to high-level students preparing for the test. However, it is most effective when used together with other resources and feedback from a teacher or tutor.

III. How to Effectively Study with IELTS Practice Test Plus

Using IELTS Practice Test Plus effectively requires more than just completing practice tests. A focused study plan and reflective review will help maximize your progress.

Study Plan Overview

• Step 1: Initial Practice - Take a full test under timed conditions. Record your score and identify weak skills.
• Step 2: Focused Improvement - Revisit challenging sections. Use the answer key and explanations to understand common mistakes. Study Writing model answers for structure and coherence.
• Step 3: Test Simulation - Continue doing full tests under real exam timing. Track your improvement and practice Speaking by recording yourself using the sample questions.

Skill-Specific Tips

• Listening – Practice with audio once; review scripts afterward to catch missed details.

• Reading – Time yourself strictly; review wrong answers using explanations.
• Writing – Compare your responses with band 7+ samples; rewrite essays to improve.
• Speaking – Use sample prompts to practice out loud; record and self-evaluate.

Consistent practice with structured review will turn this book into a powerful preparation tool for IELTS success.

IV. Where to Buy IELTS Practice Test Plus Book

The IELTS Practice Test Plus books are widely available through both international and local sellers. To ensure you get the most updated and complete version, it is recommended to purchase from trusted sources.

• Official Publisher Website: Pearson's website often offers the latest editions and bundles with audio content.
• Online Retailers: Amazon, Book Depository, and other large online bookstores offer both paperback and eBook formats.
• Local Bookstores and Test Prep Centers: Some IELTS preparation centers sell authentic books as part of their programs.

Check the product listing to confirm it includes essential components such as the audio files or access codes, especially for Listening practice.

Avoid downloading unauthorized PDF versions from unknown websites. Using pirated versions not only raises legal and ethical concerns but often results in missing or poor-quality content such as incomplete audio files or incorrect answers. For serious IELTS preparation, a verified and full version of the book is a worthwhile investment.

V. Crack the IELTS Exam With Confidence

This article concludes the overall objective review of the book set, as well as providing a free download link for the nice version of IELTS Practice Test Plus. Looking to fast-track your IELTS success? Check out these proven study plans:

• IELTS preparation course: Join Now and Get Ready to Ace Your Exam!