Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / February 2006

The British Council in Greece typically hands out free past Reading,
Writing, and English in Use papers after the exam, but no Listening
Paper. I don't know what they do elsewhere.

That may be how you heard about "free past tests."

The only place to get the real stuff, all parts, is at
www.cambridgeesol.com, and it will run you five and a half pounds or so
per test. You'll get one of the Listening versions and one of the
Speaking tests.

You can also fork out the money to buy one of CUP Past Paper books and
the teacher's book to get the answers. They also put out self-study
packs for learners working on their own.

If you have a private test-prep tutor, however, or if you're attending
a prep class at a language school, you should be able to get
photocopies galore. If you are in one of these two situations and you
still can't get past papers, fire whoever's teaching you and get
someone else. They're not worth what you're paying for them.