Are you thinking about taking the IELTS but feeling unsure where to begin? That was exactly my situation. Before officially registering for the test, I decided to try out the British Council’s free IELTS preparation tool – and I’m really glad I did.
In this blog, I’ll share my experience with their practice resources, especially IELTS Ready Member, and why I think it’s a smart first step before booking the exam.
What is IELTS Ready Member?
IELTS Ready Member is a free online platform provided by the British Council. You just need to sign up with an email address, and you’ll get access to a range of IELTS preparation materials including:
- Sample questions for all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
- Study tips and strategy videos
- Model answers and scoring criteria
- It helps you plan your English study more effectively by recommending courses that match your level.
Best of all, it’s completely free and accessible anytime.
My Honest Thoughts After Trying It
✅ It’s Great for Getting a Feel of the Real Test
The practice questions are very close to the real exam format. The Listening and Reading tasks are timed, which helped me understand the pressure and pace of the actual test.
It also helped highlight my weak areas — for example, I found out that “True/False/Not Given” questions in the Reading section are tricky for me.
✅ The Model Answers are Super Useful
For Writing and Speaking, there are sample answers along with scoring guidelines. This helped me see what kind of responses get a high score, especially in areas like coherence, grammar, and vocabulary use.
✅ Speaking Practice Needs a Bit of Creativity
One thing to note: Sometimes the recording function for the Speaking section may not work due to an error. In that case, you’ll need to use a voice recording app to record your responses manually.
Listening to my own voice was slightly embarrassing, but incredibly helpful. I caught grammar mistakes and realized I was speaking too slowly.
What I Liked the Most
- Totally free and easy to access
- Realistic practice questions designed by the official test provider
- Good starting point for beginners or first-time test takers
- Flexible – you can practice any skill, any time
- Available on smartphones, so it’s perfect for studying on the go
Things to Be Aware Of
While it’s a great resource, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- It’s not a full-length mock test – for that, you’ll need IELTS Ready Premium or other paid resources
- There’s no auto-scoring for Writing or Speaking
- If the Speaking recording function doesn’t work, you’ll need a separate voice recording app to record your responses
- Explanations are in English, so some basic reading skills are necessary
Final Thoughts: Practice Before You Book!
Trying out the British Council’s IELTS Ready Member was a smart move before booking the real test. It gave me:
- A better understanding of the test format
- Insight into my current skill level
- Confidence to take the next step and register
If you’re thinking about taking the IELTS, I highly recommend starting with this free, official practice resource. It’s low risk, high value — and might be exactly what you need to kickstart your IELTS journey with confidence!
Let’s start, meuw!
