The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is the premier English language proficiency exam which is jointly hosted by the British Council and the IDP. The test assesses a candidate’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. . In this article we will break down all of the possible test costs that can be incurred when you register for the IDP IELTS exam in Singapore.
Why Is The IELTS Exam So Costly?
The reason the IELTS exam is so popular across the world is because of it’s well-known levels of fairness and accuracy. The IELTS test content is developed by an international team of experts and undergoes extensive research to ensure the test remains fair and unbiased. The strict nature of the test ensures that you can be assured that your results are a true reflection of your English language abilities.
Maintaining these high standards often comes with a great cost, which is why the IELTS exam comes with a hefty price tag
What Are The Fees For The Different IDP Exams?
Generally, the IELTS exam costs about $225 for each test but this can vary depending on a couple of factors such as the country you are applying in, the type of IELTS exam you are taking and even the location of the IDP Education test centre you choose. Make sure you visit the IDP or British Council Websites to find out the exact price of the exam in your country.
The IELTS test fees for both the Academic and General Training tests are the same and it’s important to note that there is also no difference in the IELTS test fee of the paper-based test and computer-delivered IELTS tests.
The UKVI IELTS test is slightly higher in price as compared to the Normal IELTS test. The UKVI IELTS exam is only for those test takers who are applying for UK visas and immigration purposes. The higher price has nothing to do with an increased level of difficulty or a better level of language proficiency. The increased cost has more to do with the administrative procedures required for this particular exam.
Extra/Hidden Test IELTS Costs
There are only a few additional charges that you might incur regarding the IELTS Exam:
Re-evaluation fees
- If you are of the opinion that your test results should be higher, then you are well within your rights to request that your exam be rechecked for a minimal fee. If your score does end up being amended, then you will receive a partial refund.
Additional Test reports
- Your initial payment for the exam includes five free test reports to organizations of your choice. You can send additional reports to other organizations for a small fee.
IELTS Cancellation Fees
- If your IELTS application is cancelled for more than five weeks before your test date, the refund you will receive will be the minus 25% of the administrative fee. However, if you cancel your exam within five weeks of your scheduled test date you will receive no refund.
Rescheduling Fees
- If you are planning to change your test date, then you can request a test date change at least five weeks before your original test date. You will also have to pay a postponement fee.
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.
