Cambridge IELTS Reading tests provide authentic examination practice from Cambridge University Press & Assessment. They help you understand the real test format, question types and timing. Use them to measure your level and practise under exam conditions. For a structured study plan, see our IELTS Reading preparation guide. Cross-check each test against our Cambridge IELTS Reading answer keys. Use the table below to open Cambridge Reading tests directly, or browse all available practice tests.
Cambridge IELTS Reading at a glance
The Cambridge IELTS series is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, one of the organisations that jointly owns IELTS.
Academic and General Training Reading use different passages and tasks. Choose the column that matches your exam. Each link below opens the correct Reading module directly.
Cambridge Reading tests by book
Choose your Cambridge book and test type. Each link opens a complete Reading test with 40 questions and a 60-minute timer. Start with Test 1 and continue in order if you want a structured sequence.
| Cambridge book | Academic Reading | GT Reading | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge IELTS 21 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | ✅ Most current (2026) |
| Cambridge IELTS 20 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | ✅ Recent (2025) |
| Cambridge IELTS 19 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | ✅ Recent |
| Cambridge IELTS 18 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | Test 1 · Test 2 · Test 3 · Test 4 | ✅ Highly recommended |
Academic vs General Training Reading
3 long passages (2,150-2,750 words total)
- Drawn from academic journals, textbooks, quality press
- Topics: science, history, social science, arts
- Formal register with more demanding vocabulary
- At least one text contains a detailed logical argument
- 60 minutes for all 3 passages, including answer transfer
3 sections, mixed length
- Section 1: short social texts (ads, notices, timetables)
- Section 2: work-related texts (job descriptions, policies)
- Section 3: one longer text on a topic of general interest
- Need more correct answers to reach same band as Academic
Common Reading question types that need careful practice
True / False / Not Given
This question type causes frequent confusion. False means the passage contradicts the statement. Not Given means the passage neither confirms nor contradicts it. Base your answer only on the passage, not on your own knowledge.
Yes / No / Not Given
Same logic as T/F/NG but for the writer's views rather than facts. Yes = writer agrees. No = writer disagrees. Not Given = writer expresses no view on this claim.
Matching headings
Match a heading to each paragraph. Requires understanding the main idea - not keyword matching. Distractors often contain words from the paragraph but represent the wrong main idea.
Summary / note completion
Fill the gaps using words from the passage and follow the stated word limit. "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS" allows one or two words. Three words will lose the mark, even when the meaning is correct.
Band score conversion: Academic vs GT
39-40 = Band 9 · 35-36 = Band 8 · 30-32 = Band 7 · 27-29 = Band 6.5 · 23-26 = Band 6 · 19-22 = Band 5.5
40 = Band 9 · 37-38 = Band 8 · 34-35 = Band 7 · 32-33 = Band 6.5 · 30-31 = Band 6 · 27-29 = Band 5.5
The GT Reading passages are somewhat less difficult than Academic. The conversion tables compensate for this - you need more correct answers in GT to achieve the same band score as in Academic. Always use the conversion table from the specific Cambridge book you are practising from.
How to practise effectively
Practise strict timing
You have 60 minutes for all 3 passages, including answer transfer. You can begin with 20 minutes per passage, then adjust your pacing.
Match your method to the question
Read the instructions carefully. Preview the questions, then skim or scan according to the information you need to find.
Check after the full test
Complete the full test before checking the answer key.
Analyse every error
For each wrong answer, find the relevant line and record exactly why your answer was wrong.
Turn one Cambridge test into a week of progress
Doing test after test does little on its own. The score tells you where you are, not how to improve. The real gain comes after the test, when you find out why each answer was wrong. Use this loop for every Cambridge Reading test. First, do the test under strict timing. Second, mark it with the answer key. Third, for each wrong answer, find the reason in the table below. Fourth, go back to the passage and find the exact line that holds the right answer. Fifth, note the reason, then practise that question type again next time.
| Why the answer was wrong | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Ran out of time | You guessed the last few questions | Practise pacing. Set checkpoints and move on when one question takes too long. |
| Misread the question | You answered a slightly different question | Mark the instruction words and check the required answer format. |
| Missed a paraphrase | The answer used different wording from the question | Read the nearby lines carefully. Look for matching meaning, not only matching words. |
| Vocabulary gap | You did not know a key word | Note the word and its meaning. Learn the words that go with it. |
| Not Given trap | You chose True or False when the text was silent | Choose Not Given when the passage does not state the idea, even if it feels likely. |
| Wrong word form in the answer | The meaning was right, but the form was wrong | When the instructions require words from the passage, copy them accurately. Check spelling and singular or plural forms. |
After 2 or 3 tests, the same reason will appear again and again. That pattern is your real weakness. Fix that one thing, and your score moves faster than doing 10 more tests.
A smart order to work through Cambridge Reading tests
All Cambridge Reading tests assess the same core skills. The order still matters because you need time to learn from mistakes before using the newest tests as final checks.
Learn with one test, untimed
Begin with Test 1 from Cambridge 18 or 19. Work slowly and check every answer. Focus on understanding each question type before adding strict timing.
Move to timed practice
Once you know the question types, do whole tests under strict timing, with the full 60 minutes on the clock. This builds your pace and your stamina.
Save your two newest books
Keep your two most recent books, such as 20 and 21, for the last 2 weeks before your exam. Use them as full mock tests to check your readiness.
If you finish your Cambridge books, use official IELTS sample questions or IELTSBeacon mock tests for more practice. Continue to prioritise Cambridge authentic practice tests when you want official exam-style material.
More ways to practise Cambridge-style Reading
You do not need every Cambridge book before you begin. Combine the available online Reading tests with legal book access and official sample questions.
- Buy one or two recent books. This gives you authentic, up-to-date tests without buying the full series.
- Borrow older books from a library, or buy them used. The Reading skills are the same in every edition, so older books still work well.
- Use the official free IELTS sample questions.
- Practise alongside our free full mock tests, which are designed around the IELTS structure and timing.
You can sit full, timed IELTS Reading tests on this site at no cost, with instant band scores. IELTSBeacon currently has 32 Cambridge Reading tests from Books 18 to 21. Start with Cambridge 21 Academic Reading Test 1 or Cambridge 21 GT Reading Test 1. You can also browse the full test catalogue.
Many websites offer Cambridge books as free PDF downloads. Most of these are unofficial and break copyright, and the files are often wrong or out of date. Official books, library copies and free practice like ours are safer.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Academic or GT Cambridge Reading tests?
Use the test type that matches your exam. Academic and GT Reading contain different passages and tasks. The table above separates all available links so you can open the correct version.
What is the difference between True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given?
True/False/Not Given tests factual statements from the passage. Yes/No/Not Given tests the writer's views and opinions. Not Given works identically in both: if the passage does not address the claim, the answer is Not Given regardless of what you personally know.
Is Cambridge IELTS Reading harder than the real exam?
Cambridge books contain authentic examination papers designed to represent the IELTS format and level. The difficulty can feel different between individual test versions. Consistent timed scores are useful evidence of readiness, but they cannot guarantee the same result on test day.
How many Cambridge Reading tests should I complete?
The number depends on your preparation time and how deeply you review each attempt. Begin with 4 tests from one book. Move to another book only after analysing your errors. Quality of review matters more than the total number completed.
Can I predict which topics will come up in Reading?
No. Passages cover a wide range of topics and cannot be predicted reliably. Build your ability to understand unfamiliar texts under time pressure. Practise finding main ideas, details, opinions and paraphrases.