IELTS Question Papers: Download Previous Year IELTS Practice Tests PDFs Here!

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

Raushan Kumar
Updated on Dec 11, 2025 15:48 IST

By Raushan Kumar, Assistant Manager Content

Many students think they know English so they don't need practice. This is big mistake. The IELTS exam is not just about English; it is about time management. Solving IELTS practice test help you understand the format. For 2026, the exam is getting a little tricky with new accents in listening. If you solve IELTS sample papers daily, your brain get used to the pressure. It is the only way to get Band 8 score without wasting money on re-exam.

Boost your IELTS exam preparation with the IELTS Mock Test by ShikshaStudyabroad. These experts made IELTS Mock Tests help you practice in a real exam-like setup and improve your English skills step by step. As per our observation, more than 90% of IELTS aspirants attempt mock tests while preparing for the exam to increase their band score.

The IELTS mock test helps candidates to better their performance before they appear for their test. To be able to excel in the IELTS examination, candidates are always advised to attempt as many IELTS Practice/ Sample papers as possible.

Q:   Which question is most repeated in IELTS?
A: 

There is no most repeated question in IELTS. But some common topics come again and again. In IELTS Speaking, you may talk about family, hobbies, future plans. In IELTS Writing, you may see topics like environment problems or technology.

The question types are also same style:

  • Listening: multiple-choice, matching, sentence fill
  • Reading: True/False/Not Given, match headings, summary complete
  • Writing: essay on simple topics
  • Speaking: self-introduction, daily life talks
Q:   Is IELTS exam hard to crack?
A: 

The difficulty of IELTS exam is not same for everyone. It depends on your English level and how much you prepare. Many students find IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking little hard because you need good ideas and fluency.

But if you do practice and know the test format, the exam becomes easy. Focus more on your weak areas and you can get a good band score.

Table of contents
  • Latest 2026 Changes in IELTS Question Pattern
  • IELTS Mock Test Online
  • Where to Get Free IELTS Sample Papers PDF?
  • Benefits of Taking IELTS Mock Tests
  • IELTS Practice Test Papers
  • Official IELTS Mock Tests and Sample Questions
  • Previous Year IELTS Question Papers: Download PDFs
  • How to Take an IELTS Practice Test?
  • Best Study Materials for IELTS Exam
  • IELTS Test Pattern
View More
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Latest 2026 Changes in IELTS Question Pattern

For the year 2026, there are some small hidden changes you must know while practicing.

  • Listening: Now they use more "global accents". Before it was mostly British. Now you might hear Australian, American or even non-native accents. So, when you do IELTS listening practice, don't just listen to BBC news. Listen to podcasts from different countries.
  • Writing Task 2: The topics are becoming more about "critical thinking". Old topics were simple like "Technology good or bad?". Now topics are complex. You need to practice brainstorming ideas quickly.
  • Reading: The passages in IELTS Academic Reading are getting longer. You must practice "skimming" (reading fast) otherwise you will miss last 5 questions.

Note: All changes mentioned are not officially confirmed by IDP yet. These changes in IELTS question format for 2026 are written on the basis of latest IELTS practice papers. 







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IELTS Mock Test Online

You can now try the IELTS mock test for free. This IELTS test is based on the latest exam format and is great for checking your IELTS preparation level. The mock tests include all four parts - Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking - and also come with answers so that you can check your scores.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Where can I download IELTS mock test PDFs?
A: 

Dont use random websites, they have wrong answers sometimes. Best is to search for Cambridge IELTS books (like book 16, 17, 18) in PDF. They are real past papers. You can also check IDP website for some free sample materials.

Q:   Are there any free IELTS practice test PDFs available?
A: 

Yes, there are several free IELTS practice test PDFs available online. Websites like Shiksha and IDP IELTS offer free downloadable IELTS practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.

Q:   How many times can I take the IELTS exam in a year?
A: 

There is no limit on attempting the IELTS test. Candidates can take the IELTS exam as many times as needed.

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Where to Get Free IELTS Sample Papers PDF?

IELTS Mock Tests are online practice tests created to look just like the real IELTS exam pattern and format. The purpose of the IELTS Mock Test is to help you practice all four sections before you take the actual IELTS exam. You don't need to pay for everything. There are many sources for free IELTS practice tests.

  • Official IDP Website: This is the most authentic source. They have sample questions for all four sections.
  • Cambridge IELTS Books: These are the best books. You can find PDF of old Cambridge books online easily. Try to solve books from number 15 to 19 because they are new.
  • British Council Resources: They also offer good IELTS mock test material for free.
  • Online Websites: Shiksha Studyabroad provides IELTS reading practice test PDF for free.
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Benefits of Taking IELTS Mock Tests

Solving IELTS mock tests is very useful when you preparing for the IELTS exam. Many students just study grammar or vocabulary, but forget that practice tests are also very important. The more IELTS sample tests you do, the better chance you have for a high band score. Some benefits of doing IELTS practice test PDFs are:

  • You get to know the real IELTS exam format
  • Learn how to manage time in each section of IELTS
  • See your weak points and try to improve them
  • Practice makes you confident and reduce exam fear
  • You can check previous year IELTS question papers with answers

We always tell students to solve many IELTS sample paper PDFs. It is also good to use materials from official websites like IDP and Cambridge. They give IELTS question papers with answers which help for practice. Many of these IELTS past papers you can download free from this page. IELTS free classes by Shiksha.com give good resources to help students prepare better.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I crack IELTS and GMAT exams without any coaching classes?
A: 
It is possible, if you practice and prepare hard. You can take a diagnostic test to find out where you currently stand with all the subjects and decide accordingly.
Q:   How can I practice for the IELTS exam?
A: 

After learning the complete format familiarize yourself with all the topics that you need to cover while preparing for the test. You can get online practice tests and make sure to do it while following the time. Prepare for the Listening test by listening to the audio recordings. Similarly, prepare for the Reading and Writing sections accordingly. Make sure you do as much practice as possible in order to get a decent IELTS score.

Download previous year IELTS question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download IELTS previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.

IELTS Practice Test Papers

IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions & Answers

IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 1)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 2)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 3)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 4)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 5)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 6)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 7)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 8)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 9)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 10)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 11)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 12)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 13)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 14)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 15)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 16)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 17)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 18)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 19)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 20)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 21)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 22)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 23)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 24)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 25)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 26)
IELTS Reading Sample Paper (Set 27)

IELTS Academic Writing Practice Tasks & Tips

IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 1)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 2)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 3)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 4)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 5)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 6)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 7)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 8)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 9)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 10)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 11)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 12)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 13)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 14)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 15)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 16)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 17)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 18)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 19)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 20)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 21)
IELTS Writing Sample Paper (Set 22)

IELTS Speaking Practice Questions & Sample Answers

IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 1)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 2)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 3)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 4)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 5)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 6)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 7)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 8)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 9)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 10)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 11)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 12)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 13)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 14)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 15)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 16)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 17)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 18)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 19)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 20)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 21)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 22)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 23)
IELTS Speaking Sample Paper (Set 24)

IELTS Listening Practice Test Questions & Answers

IELTS Listening Sample Paper (Set 1)
IELTS Listening Sample Paper (Set 2)
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Official IELTS Mock Tests and Sample Questions

Looking for all IELTS questions in one place? Download an IELTS question bank PDF. It includes: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sample questions, Previous year questions, and more. The numerous questions in the free IELTS reading practice tests provided below have been sourced from the official website and will help you prepare for the IELTS Reading Section of the IELTS exam. 

IELTS Academic Reading Set 1

IELTS Academic Reading Set 7

IELTS Academic Reading Set 2

IELTS Academic Reading Set 8

IELTS Academic Reading Set 3

IELTS Academic Reading Set 9

IELTS Academic Reading Set 4

IELTS Academic Reading Set 10

IELTS Academic Reading Set 5

IELTS Academic Reading Set 11

IELTS Academic Reading Set 6

IELTS Academic Reading Set 12

Below we have given the IELTS Writing Task 1 sample with answers and IELTS Writing Task 2 samples.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I practice for IELTS exam on my own?
A: 

There are many ways to prepare for IELTS at home. Some of the important IELTS preparation tips are as follows.

  • Use practice books: Get books or online stuff with sample questions and practice tests.
  • Make a study plan: Give time for each section of the test every day.
  • Practice weak parts: Practice more the section, you are weak at. 
  • Read and listen English: Books or newspapers, watch English shows, and listen to podcasts.
  • Do mock tests: Try full practice tests like real exam to know the test format and time.
Q:   How often should I practice official IELTS mock tests before the actual exam?
A: 

Candidates are advised to take at least one official IELTS mock test per week This regular practice of IELTS questions helps you build understanding with the IELTS test structure and even time management.

Q:   What is the benefit of using IELTS mock test PDFs with answers?
A: 

Using IELTS mock test PDFs with answers can help you check your performance. You can see which areas you need to improve. Practicing with timed tests helps you understand the level of the real exam. Using past year IELTS question papers can make you more ready and increase your chance to get a good IELTS score on the first attempt.

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Previous Year IELTS Question Papers: Download PDFs

Many students are searching for the last year's IELTS question paper to understand what kind of questions were asked. While the actual paper isn’t released officially, there are mock tests and memory-based questions from students who appeared in the test. Candidates can check out past IELTS questions and answers available on this page above. Practicing the previous year's IELTS question papers can improve candidates' understanding of the IELTS exam format, how the question is asked, what the question types and more. One can easily find many IELTS questions and answers PDFs online. These are super useful because:

  • You practice with actual-style questions

  • You can check your answers right away

  • It helps with self-study if you don’t have a tutor

 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I get the exact IELTS exam questions from previous years?
A: 

No, official exact IELTS question paper are not publicly available by the conducting body. However, candidates can practice with IELTS mock tests and memory-based questions shared by previous test-takers.

Q:   Can I get IELTS previous year question papers with answers PDF?
A: 

Yes, the IELTS previous year question papers are available with answers PDF. It will be of great use for self-study at home during the IELTS prepration.

Q:   Where can I easily find previous IELTS questions online?
A: 

You can easily find PDFs of previous IELTS questions on our website or even on the official IDP website online.

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How to Take an IELTS Practice Test?

Candidates should watch this space for our very own IELTS mock test paper that we will be creating for our readers. In the meantime, candidates are advised to only refer to the official website for IELTS Practice Test papers. Candidates are advised to refer to the official IDP or Cambridge Assessment English website for IELTS Practice Test material. Candidates can also refer to the official British Council website for the IELTS Mock test.

Taking the IELTS Practice Test is simple. Candidates can either sit for the IELTS Mock Test online and complete the test within the given duration, which is a replica of the test as it would happen at the centre, or download the IELTS Mock Test free and solve the paper. It is very important to time yourself and follow the guidelines to get a feel of the actual test. While a lot of the IELTS Practice Test material would be available for free, there would also be practice material that you can purchase. Read: Cutty Sark Reading Answers

Related read:

How to Register for IELTS

How to send IELTS scores to colleges

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic

IELTS Exam: Tips to Achieve a High Score

Learning from Your Mistakes in IELTS Practice Test 

A lot of times, candidates wonder about the benefits of appearing for IELTS Practice Tests. The answer is simple, the benefits are multiple. Appearing for IELTS Practice Tests is a self-evaluation tool. You learn about your mistakes first-hand and rectify them. The main purpose of this tool is to measure the effectiveness of your study plan and get to know how prepared you are to take the real test. Most colleges have a cut-off that depends on the choice of course and university and it is important to achieve a similar score or higher. Hence, IELTS Online Practice Tests help you to learn from your mistakes so that you can ace your exam on the first attempt and achieve your desired score. 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I access IELTS practice tests for free, or do I have to purchase them?
A: 

Many IELTS practice tests on Shiksha website, official websites like IDP and Cambridge are free. However, some extra or detailed practice materials may need to be bought.

Q:   Is IELTS exam very difficult to crack?
A: 

It is not rocket science. It checks simple English communication. If you practice the format properly for 1 month, you can pass. The difficult part is only the time pressure, not the questions.

Q:   What are the 4 types of IELTS exams?
A: 

The four types of IELTS exams are: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, IELTS for UKVI and IELTS for UKVI Life Skills. One should confirm the university or institutions about the types of IELTS exam they accepts. On the basis of IELTS types requirements, candidates should register for IELTS exam. 

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Best Study Materials for IELTS Exam

Various options are available when it comes to buying a good IELTS preparatory guide. However, the final selection would depend on a candidate’s current English level. Candidates who plan to prepare on their own for their IELTS Practice Tests and IELTS Exam need to study from the best books and resources for IELTS which are easily available in the market. Candidates can also enrol with an authorized coaching center for preparing for IELTS. The British Council and IDP have their own official study guides and online preparation material that candidates can access for the examination.

Also read- FAQs for IELTS Exam

Read more
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I get 8.5 in IELTS?
A: 

You need practice everyday. It is important to refer good IELTS preparation books like Target Band 7 to learn tips and tricks. Solving a good number of IELTS mock tests and old papers again and again will boost the preparation level. Ask teachers or friends to check your work. This help you improve English and get high band score.

Q:   Which is the best study material for IELTS exam?
A: 
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS, and IELTS Trainer 2 Academic is some of the best study materials of IELTS. 
 
Q:   How can I prepare for IELTS at home?
A: 

The preparation for IELTS can be done either through self-study or by attending professional classes. Here are some IELTS preparation tips that will help you achieve your desired results.

For free preparation, join our free Shiksha online classes with our IELTS preparation expert Disha Wahi (TESOL Certified Trainer). Don’t forget to check out the Calendar for Free IELTS Live Practice Tests & Solutions.

IELTS Reading: The IELTS Reading section can be the trickiest of all and requires lots of concentration as well as preparation. To achieve high IELTS band scores, you can check out our IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks.

IELTS Listening: The IELTS Listening section requires concentration and is a high scoring part of the exam. Scoring high in this section will elevate your total IELTS score so it must not be taken lightly. Check out our IELTS Listening tips for boosting your chances of desired band scores.

IELTS Speaking: The IELTS Speaking section has three parts and is one of the highest scoring modules of the exam. In order to achieve a high band score, you can check out our specially curated IELTS Speaking Tips.

IELTS Writing: The IELTS Writing section can be a little tricky but with the right strategy you can increase your chance of scoring well in this section. Go through our IELTS0 Writing tips and prepare for this section comprehensively.

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IELTS Test Pattern

For candidates to ace their IELTS Sample papers, they should be well-versed with the latest IELTS Syllabus. They should also be aware of the latest IELTS Test Format to be able to perform well in their English examination. Here is the latest IELTS exam syllabus/ format for the four basic language skills.

Skill

IELTS Test Description

No. of Questions / Total Duration (mins)

Reading Syllabus

The reading module consists of three passages of general interest.

Questions: 40

Duration: 60 mins

Writing Syllabus

This module consists of providing information in your own words.

Questions: 02

Duration: 60 mins

Listening Syllabus

This module consists of a conversation on different topics.

Questions: 40

Duration: 30 mins

Speaking Syllabus

This module consists of testing your general speaking skills.

Questions: 03

Duration: 11-14 mins

The following IELTS preparation tips are only going to help candidates in achieving a better IELTS score in their IELTS Practice tests and the final examination.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the syllabus of IELTS exam?
A: 

The IELTS exam syllabus can be checked from below.

IELTS Academic Sections

Section Description

IELTS Listening Section

Test takers will have to listen to recorded texts and answer questions accordingly. On this section, there are:

  • 4 recorded texts

  • 40 questions 

IELTS Reading Section

Test takers would be given lengthy passages to read and answer corresponding questions. There are:

  • 3 passages

  • 40 questions

IELTS Writing Section

Candidates would be required to attempt two tasks addressing topics of broad relevance:

  • Writing Task 1 (150 words)

  • Writing Task 2 (250 words)

IELTS Speaking Section

Divided into 3 parts, the Speaking Section will require the candidates to:

  • Answer general questions about themselves

  • Talk on a particular topic on cue cards and,

  • Answer questions connected to Part 2.

Q:   What is the total duration of the IELTS exam?
A: 

The total test time for IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes.








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