As a candidate who has taken the test three times. I have some experience in finding and using past exam papers from Cambridge IELTS, and it varies depending on whether the exam is paper-based or computer-based.
Speaking of computer-based exams, I want to mention that candidates should not wait until the last moment to practice with computer-based simulations. I have come across many friends who signed up for the computer-based test
but still practiced with traditional pen-and-paper exercises and did not use any computer-based simulation software during their preparation.
As a result, they were confused during the exam and didn't know how to use functions like highlighting, underlining, and dragging, which led to disappointing scores.
Now, let me explain how to choose past papers for paper-based and computer-based test:
1. Paper-based test:
For candidates taking the paper-based test, I recommend using physical books or PDFs in combination with online question banks.
- Recommended books: I suggest using the official Cambridge IELTS practice test books.
2. Computer-based test:
If you have registered for the computer-based exam, it is crucial to practice using computer-based simulation software.
- Practice software:
Many simulation software now closely resemble the official computer-based test interface and functions. Using these tools, you can get a feel for the real exam experience and become familiar with the interface and features, helping you manage your time effectively during the actual test.
[Highlight tool and article title on the same screen]
- Listening audio:
When you purchase the complete set of past papers, it usually comes with an audio CD or link to access the audio online. Alternatively, you can find the audio for these past papers on various websites, such as English Partner ieltsmates , which provides the audio files in sequence and with precise sentence references, making it convenient for checking your answers.
[Listening original text & Answer location]
- Questions-Answer location
Cambridge IELTS books have the answer to each question, but it is more troublesome to search the book, the question bank website provides the function of positioning the question and answer, in addition to seeing the correct answer, and you can find the corresponding original location of the answer. In particular, their audio positioning and original playback are really convenient to use.
[Questions & Answer location]
The site is currently in beta and is available for free in the short term, so I think you can try it out.
When it comes to selecting specific past papers for practice, I suggest the following approach:
- Regular practice: Use Cambridge IELTS 4 to 16 for daily practice.
- Final preparation: Save Cambridge IELTS 17 and 18 for final mock exams before the actual test. These two books contain the most up-to-date questions that closely match the types, topics, and difficulty levels you will encounter in the exam.
Wish you all the best in achieving high scores!
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