After the Phase-Out of Paper-Based Tests: The Complete List of Official IELTS Prep Materials (Verified September 2026)

Starting September 1, 2026, the regular IELTS test in mainland China has completely transitioned from paper-based to computer-delivered; for IELTS for UKVI, the switch happened even earlier, on July 1. This means one very specific thing: every practice test you take from now on should ideally be done on a screen.

This article goes through the official IELTS preparation materials currently available one by one—checking which are completely free, which are unlocked only after registering for the test, which require payment, and which one was actually shut down two years ago but is still widely recommended in many guides. All information comes directly from the official pages, with verification dates at the end of the article.

First, confirm: which test format are you taking?

This is not an arrangement exclusive to mainland China. In an announcement released on March 5, 2026, IELTS officials stated that from mid-2026 onwards, paper-based IELTS will no longer be offered globally, with all tests transitioning to computer-delivered format, and "specific timelines will vary by market." The official statement also mentioned that some markets will offer a Writing on Paper option, but the announcement for mainland China does not mention this option, stating "all tests will be conducted in computer-delivered format"—if this matters to you, please refer to what is displayed on the official website during registration.

The computer-delivered format brings two practical changes that directly impact test preparation: the official page states "results available in as fast as 1 day" and "multiple test dates and sessions available each week, with flexible morning or afternoon choices." In other words, test seat availability and result turnaround times have both improved—the era of "waiting a month if you fail once" is over—but the prerequisite is that you are comfortable answering questions on a screen.

Completely free and available to use right now

1. Official website practice tests (same interface as the real computer-delivered test)

This should be your top priority right now because it runs on the Inspera platform, with an interface identical to the actual computer-delivered test. Taking the Academic test as an example, the page provides the following content:

• Listening: Practice by question type (multiple choice single answer, multiple choice multiple answers, map/diagram labeling, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, sentence completion, short answer), with answer PDFs and audio transcripts for each type; also includes a full 4-part, 40-question mock test.
• Reading (Academic): Also practice by question type (multiple choice single answer, multiple choice multiple answers, True/False/Not Given, note completion, table completion, matching features, summary completion, sentence completion, matching sentence endings), each with answer PDFs; also includes a full 3-passage, 40-question mock test.
• Writing (Academic): One Task 1 and one Task 2, accompanied by PDFs of sample answers, band descriptors, and examiner comments.

There are corresponding pages for General Training and UKVI Life Skills (A1/A2/B1). No registration is required to use the materials on these pages. Note: This set of free practice tests does not include the Speaking section.

2. Official computer-delivered practice test (IELTS Familiarisation Test)

The URL is cdielts.gelielts.cn. Officially positioned as a "free computer-delivered mock test launched to help candidates familiarize themselves with the computer-delivered format in advance," it covers the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections for both Academic and General Training (again, excluding Speaking). With the paper-based test being phased out, the priority of this resource should be moved up—especially if you have never done Reading on a screen before.

3. IELTS Ready (Free version)

Register with a personal email address for permanent free access. Content includes:

• 25-minute quick test
• 50-minute mini mock test
• 2 full-length mock tests
• In-depth Speaking and Listening masterclasses, live expert webinars

The email address you use to register is crucial, for reasons explained in the next section.

4. Two free written resources

The Chinese official website also features two sections: "IELTS Myths Busted" and "Official Tips." The former is the official point-by-point response to circulating preparation rumors, while the latter offers preparation advice written by official teaching experts. Both are free and perfect for spending half an hour reading through before you start grinding practice tests, saving you from a month of practicing the wrong way.

Free after registration: IELTS Ready: Premium

This is the most easily wasted benefit. Officially valued at $50/month, the content includes:

• 40 mock tests (AI personalized feedback is a paid add-on)
• In-depth or systematic courses for all four sections
• Live and recorded expert webinars
• Targeted learning resource recommendations and study planning
• Section-specific practice

The unlocking condition is very clear: Register for the IELTS test using the same email address you used for IELTS Ready, and the system will automatically unlock it for free use until your test day. So the correct sequence is—first register for IELTS Ready with a specific email, then register for the test with that exact same email. If the order is reversed or the emails don't match, you will miss out on these 40 practice tests for nothing.

Two paid options

WriteUp (Official Writing Mock Test)

A writing mock assessment product independently developed by the British Council, covering only Writing, with Task 1 and Task 2 available for separate practice. It outputs two things: a predicted band score, and a diagnostic report based on 16 sub-dimensions derived from the four official band descriptors. The scoring is provided by an "AI model trained on data annotated by IELTS experts"—it is not manually graded by examiners, and the official FAQ explicitly states that the results cannot be guaranteed to perfectly match actual test scores. Purchased in credit packages, valid for 365 days.

Writing is the hardest of the four sections to self-diagnose. The value of such tools lies in providing dimensional feedback directions, not the predicted score itself. Treat it as an "error locator," not a "score predictor."

The Official Guide to the IELTS Test (Paperback)

Compiled by the British Council and published by Beijing Language and Culture University Press, this book is specifically written for Chinese test-takers. The structure consists of three parts: in-depth guides for all four sections with practice exercises, 6 full practice tests (4 Academic + 2 General Training Reading and Writing), answers with examiner comments, and audio transcripts. It also comes with accompanying audio, band descriptor explanation videos, speaking demonstrations, writing samples with examiner comments, and a handbook covering the entire process from registration to checking results. The official website offers a sample chapter PDF for download, so you can take a look before deciding whether to buy it.

A reminder: this one is no longer available

IELTS Progress Check was shut down in June 2024, with the last test date being June 21, 2024, and results issued by June 30 of the same year. It used to be an official paid online mock test that provided reference scores and feedback for each section and the overall band, which is why it is still listed as a "must-buy" in many Chinese guides and even some agencies' course schedules. It is no longer available for purchase; if you see a guide still recommending it, you can safely assume the content hasn't been updated. Its place has now been taken by IELTS Ready / IELTS Ready: Premium.

Fees and official portals

Standards effective from January 1, 2026:

There are two official portals; just remember these two:

• IELTS Chinese Official Website chinaielts.org (operated by the British Council) — preparation materials, test schedules, and official announcements are all here.
• IELTS Registration Website ielts.neea.edu.cn (National Education Examinations Authority) — registration, test transfers, and cancellations for mainland China candidates are handled here.

Recommended usage sequence

1. Register for IELTS Ready first (remember this email), complete the 25-minute quick test and the 50-minute mini mock test to get a rough baseline.
2. Take the official computer-delivered mock test. The goal isn't the score, but to confirm whether doing Reading on a screen and typing your Writing will cause you to stumble—this step cannot be skipped now that the paper-based test is gone.
3. Use the free mock tests on the official website to patch weaknesses by question type. Its granularity is the finest, complete with answers and examiner comments.
4. Register for the test using the same email to unlock the 40 Premium tests, saving the full mock tests for two to three weeks before the exam.
5. Only consider WriteUp if you're unsure about Writing; for Speaking, you need real-life practice with a partner—all free official materials lack a Speaking section, which is their common blind spot.

Information verification for this article

The content of this article was verified item by item on September 11, 2026, from the following official pages, without using third-party paraphrasing:

• IELTS Chinese Official Website: Preparation Resources Overview, Academic Practice Tests, IELTS Ready / Premium, WriteUp, Official Guide, Computer-delivered IELTS
• Official Announcements: Paper-based Test Discontinuation and July-September 2026 Test Centers, 2026 Registration and Fee Adjustments
• IELTS Global Website: Updates to IELTS test delivery (March 5, 2026), IELTS Progress Check Closure Announcement

Test fees, test seat arrangements, and product content are subject to change. Please refer to the official website for the most up-to-date information before registering and making payments.