Best books for English exams
For most exams, the best start is one book of real past papers plus one book that teaches each part. Pick your exam below to see our picks compared, which one to buy if you only buy one, and how to use them with our free practice tests. For the TOEFL, check the edition: many books on sale still teach the test as it was before January 2026.
Best IELTS books
IELTS Academic · band 1 to 9
If you only buy one:
- If you have not seen the test before: The Official Cambridge Guide
- If you know the format and your test is close: IELTS 21 Academic
- If you want the most full tests with explained answers: Barron's IELTS Premium
Best TOEFL books
TOEFL iBT · the test since January 2026
If you only buy one:
- If you want questions from the test maker: The Official Guide
- If you want the most full practice tests: Barron's TOEFL iBT Premium
- If you find the academic passages hard to follow: Academic Vocabulary in Use
Best B2 First books
B2 First (FCE) · B2
If you only buy one:
- If you have not seen the exam before: B2 First Trainer 3
- If you know the format and your exam is close: B2 First 6
- If you are not at B2 yet: Complete First
Best C1 Advanced books
C1 Advanced (CAE) · C1
If you only buy one:
- If you have not seen the exam before: C1 Advanced Trainer 2
- If you know the format and your exam is close: C1 Advanced 5
- If you are not at C1 yet: Complete Advanced
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Books or online practice?
Both. A book gives you a few complete papers and a teacher's explanation of each part. Online practice gives you many more tests of each single part, marked straight away, so you can drill the part you are weakest at. Our free Cambridge practice tests cover every level from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency, and we have free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests too.