Test Centres and Costs

Knowing where to take IELTS, how much it costs, and what to consider when choosing a test centre helps you plan your preparation timeline and budget. This lesson covers the practical and financial aspects of booking and taking the IELTS exam.

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Test Centre Networks

IELTS is administered through three global networks:

Organisation	Coverage	Registration
British Council	Over 1,200 test centres in 140+ countries	britishcouncil.org/exam/ielts
IDP: IELTS Australia	Over 900 test centres in 60+ countries	ielts.idp.com
Cambridge Assessment English	Selected centres (often in partnership with British Council or IDP)	Via British Council or IDP

Finding Your Nearest Test Centre

Method	How To
Online search	Use the test centre finder on the British Council or IDP website
By location	Enter your city or country; results show available centres, dates, and formats
By date	Select your preferred test date; results show which centres have availability
By format	Filter by paper-based or computer-delivered

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Test Costs by Region

IELTS test fees vary by country and are set locally by each test centre. The following are approximate costs as of 2025–2026:

Standard IELTS (Academic or General Training)

Region	Approximate Cost	Currency
United Kingdom	£185–200	GBP
Australia	$395–410	AUD
Canada	$310–340	CAD
United States	$245–270	USD
India	₹16,250–17,000	INR
China	¥2,170–2,200	CNY
Pakistan	PKR 42,000–48,000	PKR
Nigeria	₦110,000–130,000	NGN
UAE	AED 1,200–1,400	AED
Saudi Arabia	SAR 1,200–1,400	SAR
Bangladesh	BDT 23,000–25,000	BDT
Philippines	PHP 11,500–12,500	PHP
Germany	€245–260	EUR
France	€245–260	EUR
Brazil	BRL 1,100–1,300	BRL

IELTS for UKVI

IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration costs approximately £30–50 more than standard IELTS in most countries, due to the additional security requirements.

IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills (A1 or B1) is significantly cheaper, typically costing £130–160 in the UK or equivalent in other countries.

Key Point: Prices change regularly. Always check the current fee on the British Council or IDP website for your specific country before budgeting.

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Additional Costs to Budget For

The test fee is not the only cost associated with IELTS. Plan for these additional expenses:

Cost	Approximate Amount	Notes
Test fee	See regional table above	One-time cost per test attempt
Travel to test centre	Varies	Factor in transport costs if the centre is in another city
Accommodation	Varies	Needed if the test centre is far from home and the Speaking test is on a different day
Preparation materials	£30–100	Official Cambridge IELTS practice books (recommended: at least 2 recent volumes); online resources
Preparation course	£0–2,000+	Self-study is free; online courses range from £50–500; in-person courses from £200–2,000+
Enquiry on Results (EOR)	£100–200	Only if you request a re-mark (refunded if your score changes)
Additional TRFs	£0–20 each	First 5 copies are free; additional copies may be charged
Retake fee	Same as test fee	If you need to retake the test

Total Budget Estimate

Scenario	Estimated Total Cost
Self-study, single attempt, local test centre	Test fee + £30–50 for materials
Online course, single attempt	Test fee + £100–500 for course + materials
In-person course, one retake, travel required	Test fee × 2 + £500–2,000 for course + travel/accommodation

Strategy for Band 7+: The most cost-effective approach is thorough preparation to pass on your first attempt. Each retake costs the full test fee. Invest in good preparation materials and, if possible, feedback on your Writing from a qualified teacher — this is far cheaper than retaking the test.

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Choosing a Test Centre

Factors to Consider

Factor	Why It Matters
Location	Closer centres reduce travel stress and cost
Format availability	Not all centres offer both paper-based and computer-delivered
Test date availability	Popular centres fill up quickly; check availability early
Speaking test scheduling	Some centres schedule Speaking on a different day — check before booking
Facilities	Well-maintained centres with good equipment provide a better testing experience
Reputation	Check online reviews; some centres have better organisation and facilities than others

Paper-Based vs Computer-Delivered Centre Differences

Aspect	Paper-Based Centre	Computer-Delivered Centre
Room size	Often large halls with many candidates	Smaller rooms with individual computer stations
Noise level	Can be noisy (candidates turning pages, writing)	Generally quieter (headphones for Listening)
Equipment	Pencils and erasers provided	Computer, keyboard, and headphones provided
Supervision	Invigilators monitor the room	Invigilators monitor; CCTV may also be in use

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Booking Strategically

When to Book