IELTS Reading is a race. Three passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes.
Most people know enough English to find the answers. What they lack is time, and a clear way to check their thinking. Why was it Not Given and not False? Where in the passage was the answer?
We compared the IELTS Reading practice websites people use most. Here is what each one does.
Disclosure: we make IELTS Studio, one of the sites below. Everything we say about the others comes from their own websites, which we read on 20 October 2026. If a site does not say something, we write “not stated”. We do not guess.
The short version
- IELTS Studio gives you unlimited free Reading tests and points every answer to the exact line in the passage.
- IELTSBiz has practice for all 11 question types, but its free tier allows two sessions a day.
- OneIELTS has free tests with an explanation for each answer.
- British Council has free official sample tests.
- IELTS Online Tests has a large set of free practice tests.
What to look for in a Reading practice site
- The real time limit. 60 minutes for 40 questions. Untimed practice hides your biggest problem.
- Answers linked to the passage. You need to see the exact line that proves each answer.
- Every question type. True, False, Not Given and matching headings work very differently. Practise each one.
- Academic and General Training. Make sure the site has the version you are taking.
- Enough free tests. You will need plenty. A small daily cap slows you down.
How we checked
We read each site’s Reading page, pricing page and help pages. We did not use review sites or other lists. Sites are ranked by how much they help you learn from mistakes, then by how much you can practise for free.
The best IELTS Reading practice websites
1. IELTS Studio
IELTS Studio has Academic and General Training Reading tests on a screen that works like the computer test. Take any test as a 60-minute mock with no help, or in practice mode.
After the test, you get your band and your score out of 40. Every question is sorted by passage and by question type, so you can see where the marks went.
Click any question and the review shows the exact line in the passage that holds the answer. You see why the right answer is right, not just what it is.
A few more things set it apart:
- Question-type drills. Practise one type at a time, such as True, False, Not Given, with Pro.
- Real English practice. The Explore panel turns real articles into IELTS-style reading quizzes.
- A dashboard. It tracks your weak question types across every test.
Free plan: unlimited Reading tests with full reviews. No card needed. Paid plan: USD 9.99 for a month. You pay once, and it never renews.
Suitable for: anyone who wants to see exactly where each answer is, and why. Take a free Reading test.
2. IELTSBiz
IELTSBiz has full 40-question Reading papers with answer keys, plus practice passages written by AI for all 11 question types. It names the trap behind each wrong answer. Its free tier allows two sessions a day, and Pro starts at USD 11.99 a month.
Suitable for: focused question-type practice, if two free sessions a day is enough.
3. OneIELTS
OneIELTS has free Reading tests in a computer-based format, with a score and an explanation for each answer. Some scoring and explanations are limited on the free plan.
Suitable for: plenty of free tests with explanations.
4. British Council
The British Council offers free official IELTS sample tests on its website, including Reading.
Suitable for: seeing official sample material before test day.
5. IELTS Online Tests
IELTS Online Tests has a large set of free practice tests, updated regularly. It also sells courses and PDF packs.
Suitable for: extra free tests once you have a review routine.
How they compare
| Website | Free tests | Real time limit | Answers linked to the passage | Question-type practice | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Studio | Unlimited | Yes, plus practice mode | Yes, the exact line | Yes, with Pro | USD 9.99, paid once |
| IELTSBiz | 2 sessions a day | Timed mock | Trap named for wrong answers | All 11 types | From USD 11.99 a month |
| OneIELTS | Yes, some features limited | Computer-based format | Explanation for each answer | Yes | VIP renews, price not stated |
| British Council | Official samples | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Free |
| IELTS Online Tests | Many free tests | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Paid courses |
“Not stated” means the site does not say. It does not mean the feature is missing.
Try a real IELTS Studio Reading review
This is a live demo, not a screenshot. Click it and scroll through the whole review.
This test taker got 31 out of 40, which is band 7.0. The review sorts every answer by question type. Matching information was the weak spot, at 3 out of 6. True, False, Not Given was 5 out of 7.
Click any of those questions and you see the exact line in the passage with the answer. That is how you learn the pattern, not just the key.
You can also try the test screen itself.
Which one is right for you?
| Your situation | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want to see where each answer is | IELTS Studio | Every answer points to the exact line in the passage |
| You want as much free practice as you like | IELTS Studio | Reading tests are unlimited on the free plan |
| You are taking General Training | IELTS Studio | It has General Training Reading tests |
| You want lots of short question-type sets | IELTSBiz | It covers all 11 question types |
| You want official sample material | British Council | It publishes free official samples |
How to get more from Reading practice
- Always time yourself. Twenty minutes a passage. If you run out of time, you know what to work on.
- Learn the hard types. Start with True, False, Not Given and matching headings.
- Review with the passage open. Find the line that proves each answer before you look at the key.
- Check your band. The Reading band score calculator covers Academic and General Training.
More comparisons: best Listening practice websites, best free mock tests and best IELTS prep apps.
Ready to start? Take a free IELTS Reading test today.
Sources
- IELTS Reading format The three passages, the 40 questions and the 60-minute time limit.
- How IELTS is scored How a Reading score out of 40 becomes a band, for Academic and General Training.
Last reviewed October 20, 2026. See our editorial policy for how guides are checked and corrected.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best website for IELTS Reading practice?
- For most people, IELTS Studio. Its Reading tests are free with no limit, cover Academic and General Training, and point every answer to the exact line in the passage.
- Where can I practise IELTS Reading for free?
- IELTS Studio has unlimited free Reading tests. The British Council has free official samples, OneIELTS and IELTS Online Tests have free tests, and IELTSBiz has a free tier of two sessions a day.
- How do I get faster at IELTS Reading?
- Practise under the real 60-minute limit, then review where you lost time. Learn each question type, so you know whether to skim, scan or read closely.
- Is General Training Reading different from Academic Reading?
- Yes. The question types are the same, but General Training uses everyday and work texts, and the score out of 40 converts to a band on a different table.