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The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international standardized test of English language proficiency.

The Road to IELTS General Training module is suitable for secondary education, work experience or training programs. The English language test focuses on basic skills in reading, listening, speaking and writing in broad social and workplace contexts.

The Road to IELTS Academic Training module is suitable for those applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. It features vocabulary that is familiar within an academic setting. 

Both resources include interactive activities, test preparation tips, and practice test papers with answer keys.

How to access Road to IELTS

1. Go to www.tpl.ca
2. Enter "IELTS" or "Road to IELTS" in the search bar
3. Click on "Access Online" for the General Training or Academic Training module
4. Enter your library card number and PIN and click “Sign In”

Getting Started

To track your progress  through the practice activities and tests, select "Sign in/Register" to create an account .  An email address is required.  Otherwise, select "Continue as a guest".

Note: Road to IELTS runs on desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphones.  It requires an up-to-date version of one of these browsers: Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox.

Test preparation and practice

There are four skill areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.  The resources available for each skill area are in four key sections:

1. Starting Out: Contains information about each IELTS test and includes explanations of question types. The key facts are shared in a video and  further details and information are available in the eBook. 
2. Advice and Tutorials: British Council experts explain the best strategies to prepare for IELTS.
3. Practice Zone: Interactive activities modeled on IELTS question types. Select a set number (Set 1, Set 2 etc.) to view the activities available. 
4. Test Practice: Download mock papers and the answer key, or simulate the actual test where you will be timed as you respond.

Tip: Select the “Home” or skill area buttons within the software to move to a new set or different skill area.  Avoid using the back button in your browser.

Check Your Progress and Additional Resources

Select Progress Report at the top of the page to monitor your activities across sessions, your score details, and how your time is spent. The progress report is only available to users who are signed into an account.

The Resource Bank has a study planner, study guides, score calculator, test countdown, and other resources to help with test preparation.

IELTS on Computer provides instructions on using practice tests on a computer and information on taking the IELTS tests on a computer instead of on paper. 

For more information or for help, please contact our Answerline service.