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All IELTS tests to be delivered by IDP in India
from 25th July

We have some exciting news to share. IDP will be managing all IELTS testing in India, solely.

This means over the coming months, all British Council IELTS centers in India will be operated and managed under the IDP brand.

While logos and where you register may change, the test you know, and trust will stay the same. The same world-leading content, same trusted security processes, same test you take to open the door to your global study, work, and career goals.

IELTS has been at the forefront of helping people in India demonstrate their language skills for more than 30 years.

We are excited to begin this new chapter with you.

Remember, wherever you take IELTS, you can have confidence in your score – you earned it.

Click here for Official Media release.

Test Taker FAQs

General Queries for Test Takers

What is happening?

IDP has entered into an agreement with the British Council that will see all IELTS tests in India delivered by IDP from 25 July 2021.

There are no changes to the test content, structure, or security and marking standards.

IDP and British Council’s teams will be here to ensure a smooth transition, so test takers can focus on improving their English and getting ready to achieve their best score on test day.

Why is this happening?

Following the disruptions of the last 18 months, the British Council and IDP have been exploring new ways of working.

A single test distributor in India will help provide a seamless and consistent customer experience for IELTS, the world’s most trusted high-stakes test.

What will happen to British Council’s IELTS test centres in India? Will there be closures of centres or offices?

IELTS will continue to be available in all key cities and locations across the country through IDP only.

The British Council’s test locations in India will gradually be rebranded to IDP IELTS.

What is changing?

One of the things that makes IELTS a world leader in English language testing is the consistency of the test, regardless of where you take it around the world.

There will be branding changes and you will be using the IDP online registration system to book your test, but the test itself remains unchanged.

How will this impact me?

If you previously took IELTS with the British Council, there is no impact on you. Your test result remains valid.

If you have a current booking with British Council, please refer to the answers below.

Existing bookings with the British Council:

Paper based test

If you have a paper-based test before 11 July 2021, there will be no impact on your test. You will take your test with the British Council as scheduled.

If you have booked your paper-based test with the British Council after 11 July, your test should still take place on the day planned, although you may be asked to move to an IDP test location nearby instead. IDP teams will be in touch with you by 7 July to share new login details for the IDP system.

Computer-delivered test

If you have a computer-delivered test before 25 July 2021, there will be no impact on your test. You will take your test with the British Council as scheduled.

For computer-delivered tests after 25 July, your test should still take place on the day you booked although you may be asked to move to an IDP test location nearby. IDP teams will be in touch with you by 7 July to share new login details for the IDP system.

Will this change make the test more difficult/easier?

The IELTS test is the same, regardless of where you take it anywhere in the world and all IELTS test takers can have confidence in their result.

IDP and the British Council operate to the same rigorous global standards for test content, marking and security. To understand more, watch this short video.

What will happen to my data?

Your data will always remain protected by the IELTS partners. Data for upcoming test sessions will be transferred from the British Council to IDP.

All test taker accounts and data will be managed by IDP, in accordance with the global IELTS standards to protect the privacy of our customers. IDP is committed to protecting your privacy.

When you log in to the IDP portal, you will be invited to review our terms and conditions.

You can read more on our privacy policy.

How do I find out more?

If you have already booked your IELTS test with the British Council, or if you have any questions, we are running a Facebook Live event on 2nd July to provide more information.

You can also contact the IDP team here.

Please allow until 7 July for your test session details to be uploaded to the IDP system.

If you have already taken your IELTS test with the British Council

Is my IELTS Test Report Form still valid?

Yes. All results issued by the British Council are official IELTS results. Your Test Report Form remains valid for a recommended period of two years from your test date. The validity period is defined by the organisations that use IELTS scores. Please check with the organisation you are applying to for more details on their acceptance criteria.

I took my test with the British Council within the last two years. Can I request a replacement Test Report Form?

Yes, you can still request a replacement Test Report Form. If you need this before 1 August 2021 please contact the British Council

After 1 August 2021 please contact IDP here

I took my test with the British Council, how can I request an Enquiry on Results?

If you would like to challenge your result, you can submit an Enquiry on Results.

British Council test takers can do this directly with the British Council up until 1 August 2021. After this, the IDP team will be able to support you. You can contact the team here:

I have recently taken my test with British Council. Will British Council be able to tell my university or recognising organisation my result?

Yes. If you have already completed your test, the British Council will communicate your result to your selected recognising organisation.

If you have taken part of your test with the British Council, but not finished

I have completed my Listening, Reading and Writing tests, but not my Speaking test. Will my Speaking test go ahead in the same place as planned?

Yes, if you have already taken your Listening, Reading and Writing test sections with British Council, you will also complete your Speaking test with the British Council.

If I had sat my test with the British Council in June. Who will provide my Test Report Form?

You will or should have already received your Test Report Form from the British Council. If you have any questions, please contact British Council India here

If you have a test booked with the British Council but have not taken any part of the test

I have booked a paper-based test with the British Council after 11 July, or a computer-delivered test after 25 July. Will it still go ahead?

Yes. IDP will endeavour to ensure your test goes ahead on the date and in the city you planned. All you need to focus on is preparing for your test.

As a small number of centres will close for some days for system changes, our teams may discuss with you if a nearby test location is convenient for you. IDP team will be in contact with you to share your new Test Taker portal login details by 7 July.

Can I do all sections of the test on the same day in the same place with IDP?

IDP offers the option for you to choose your own speaking slot at a time that works for you. You can find out more.

How do I cancel my test?

If your paper-based test is scheduled on or before 10 July 2021 you can cancel with the British Council.

If your computer-delivered test is scheduled on or before 24 July 2021, you can also do this with British Council.

For all other test dates, you can cancel directly with IDP.

Please allow until 7 July for your test session details to show in their system before calling the IDP teams.

For more information on IDP’s cancellation policy, see here.

I want to change my test centre from the British Council to IDP, will I have to pay more?

The test fee is the same across IDP and British Council.

I have booked for computer-delivered IELTS. Can I change to paper-based?

If your computer-delivered test is before 25 July 2021 please contact British Council India

After 25 July, you can contact the IDP team here:

Please allow until 7 July for your test session details to be uploaded to the IDP system.

Is it easier with IDP than British Council?

The test is exactly the same at both British Council and IDP. All examiners mark to the same global standard.

It is one of the reasons IELTS is the most trusted test in the world. To hear more, watch this video.

Is IDP going to put the prices up?

There are no plans to raise fees as a result of this arrangement. The English language testing market in India is very competitive which helps ensure a fair test fee.

I have booked my IELTS test with the British Council - can I still access the Road to IELTS preparation material?

If you registered with the British Council, you will be entitled to 30 hours of Road to IELTS preparation as part of your registration.

All test takers who have an existing booking with British Council will be able to access Road to IELTS.

Now my test is with IDP, what preparation material will I receive?

IDP invites you to explore its range of free preparation material available when you book your test.

You can see this here.

I have booked my test with the British Council, but it is being moved to IDP - how do I contact IDP?

You can contact IDP here.

Please allow until 7 July for your test session details to be uploaded to the IDP system.

You have moved my test to IDP, will my candidate number be the same?

Your candidate number will change.

IDP will be in touch by 7 July to confirm your login details.

I had booked my test with the British Council for August and you have moved it to IDP. I want to cancel it, can I have a full refund?

You can cancel directly with IDP, however please allow us until 7 July to ensure your data is in IDP’s system.

More information is available on our cancellation policy.

Where are the IDP test centres?

You can see all IDP India test centres here.

You have moved my test to IDP but it is in the same test centre, is this right?

Yes. It is the same centre and team you know and trust. The British Council IELTS team in India are becoming part of the IDP team.

Can I do my British Council test at an IDP centre now because it is closer to my house?

From 25 July, you can transfer to any official IELTS test centre in India if there is space available.

Click here to know how to Transfer your test date or speak to the IDP team.

You are not doing British Council tests in India, can I do my British Council test in another country?

You are welcome to do this, however, please be aware you will need to request a refund and then rebook.

You have moved my test to IDP, who will be marking my test?

IELTS examiners will mark your test, with Cambridge Assessment English verification. You can have confidence your test will be marked to the highest global standards.

There are rigorous quality control processes in place to ensure the British Council, IDP and Cambridge Assessment English only issue TRFs when there is 100 per cent confidence in the accuracy of your result.

You can read more on our quality and fairness processes here.

You have moved my test to IDP. With this change, will it take longer to get my results?

No. As IDP and the British Council operate to the same global standards, results turnaround times remain the same across all IDP and British Council centres globally.

You have moved my test to IDP who will provide my TRF?

IDP will provide your TRF.

You have moved my test to IDP, can I still apply for EOR?

Yes, you can do this via logging into the IDP portal and accessing this option. You can do this by logging-in to our website.

If you have a test booked with the British Council in August, September or October 2021

Why has my IELTS test moved from a British Council to an IDP test centre?

IDP entered an agreement to acquire all the British Council-managed IELTS centres in India. This means that from 25 July 2021, all IELTS tests will be delivered by IDP and all TRFs will be issued by IDP.

There is no change to the test content, structure, marking or security.

Will my test be in the same place?

This is the plan if it is safe and permitted to do so. If there are changes related to COVID-19 or other restrictions, our team will contact you.

Can I still use British Council preparation material for my test?

As IELTS remains the same test, whether delivered by IDP or the British Council, any official IELTS preparation materials that you already have access to can be used for your upcoming test.

Can I take all sections of the test on the same day, in the same place?

When you book your IELTS test you can choose your own Speaking slot, so you can find a time that works for you. For more information, you can login to the IDP portal here.

You have moved my test from the British Council to IDP but I want to change the date.

You can do so directly with IDP here.

Please allow until 7 July for your test session details to be uploaded to the IDP system.

I want a British Council Test Report Form (TRF), not an IDP one, is this possible as I booked with British Council?

All TRFs from tests 25 July 2021 onwards will be delivered by IDP.

Remember, the test is trusted by more than 10,000 organisations around the world. There is no difference in IDP or British Council result recognition.

If you would like to take an IELTS test after August 2021

If the British Council is no longer running IELTS tests in India, how do I book a test?

From 25 July 2021, IDP will deliver all IELTS tests. Please follow this link to book your test.

What is IDP’s telephone number?
Can I book the IDP test online? What’s the website?

You can book your test online here, or alternatively through any IDP centre across India.

Where are IDP’s IELTS test centres located?

IDP have test centres located across the country. To find your nearest test centre, please follow this link.

Can I take all sections of the test on the same day, in the same place?

Yes. When you book your IELTS test you can choose your own Speaking test slot, so you can find a time that works for you. For more information, see here.

Can I choose to take IELTS on paper or computer?

Yes, IDP offers both computer-delivered and paper-based tests.

Can I still use British Council preparation material for my test?

Yes. As IELTS remains the same test, whether delivered by IDP or the British Council, any IELTS preparation materials that you already have access to can be used for your upcoming test.