How Much Does It Cost To Take The British Council IELTS Exam?

Many first time IELTS test takers are overwhelmed by the great amounts of decisions that have to be made before they actually take the exam. There are quite a number of factors to consider, like which test to take, how to prepare and who should you book your test with. If the cost of the exam is yet another issue that you have to worry about, then read on to find out all you need to know about the cost of the British Council IELTS exam. The information below is useful for both students from Singapore and other parts of the world.

Are The Fees Different For different Types Of British Council IELTS Exams?

IELTS fees for the Academic and General Training tests are the same and this is irrelevant of whether you have booked the paper-based or computer-based IELTS test. The British Council charges roughly between 200 to 250 US dollars per test. However, fees do vary according to country and even test centres. This is mainly because provincial government taxes may vary by location.

The UKVI IELTS Exam (UK Visas and Immigration) has a slightly higher fee, costing up to 50 US dollars more than the regular IELTS exam. The UKVI IELTS exam is for those students who require visa entry into the United Kingdom. The reason for the higher price has nothing to do with the level of difficulty of the test. The difference in price is because of the extra administrative procedures and security measures that need to be taken for this exam.

How Can I Pay For The IELTS Exam?

​You can easily pay for the IELTS Exam online using a debit or credit card on the official IELTS website or you can pay in person at any Official IDP or British Council IELTS Test centre. The online booking procedure can be found on the IDP and British Council websites. If you are using the online registration facilities, it’s important to make sure you receive a confirmation email, that gives you a booking payment update and provides information about your test date and test location. If you have opted for a separate day for your speaking test, your speaking test date will be emailed to you a few days before your scheduled test.

You will also be able to choose five institutions to receive your official IELTS test report forms and you will be given access to two free IELTS practice tests. You will have to pay a small fee if you wish to send your report to additional institutions.

An Important Piece Of Information Before You Book The British Council IELTS  Exam

Since the IELTS Exam comes with a hefty price tag, it’s definitely worthwhile to make sure that you are well-prepared before you actually take the exam. Remember that you have to pay separately for each time you attempt the test.

Enrolling for a course with an experienced IELTS trainer can help determine whether or not you are sufficiently prepared for the IELTS exam.

Jonathan has been teaching students to prepare for the IELTS and PTE Exams for more than 10+ years. He's taught English to students in various countries in the world including Singapore, China, Australia, Canada and Colombia.

Cheapest IELTS Preparation Class in SG: Only S$400 (for Feb 2025)


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