You have the choice to take an IDP IELTS test in more than 60 countries and 450 test venues across the world – from destination markets such as Australia, the UK and Canada to source destinations such as India, Colombia and Indonesia.
Before you book your IELTS test, we will help you get a better idea of which test you might need to take - Academic, General Training, Life Skills or UKVI. And what documentation you need to have with you to successfully book your test.
Which IELTS test to book
If you plan to study in higher education or seek professional registration, you will most likely need to take an IELTS Academic. Or if you want to study in secondary education, work or migrate to an English-speaking country, IELTS General Training might be right for you.
Where you want to study, work or migrate to will affect which test you need to take. If you want to go to the United Kingdom, you may need to take an IELTS for UKVI test. This can either be an IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training or a Life Skills A1, A2 or B1.
Before you book your IELTS test, make sure you visit the relevant government or institutional websites to confirm which test you need to take, as government agencies, institutions and other recognising organisations set their own IELTS entry requirements.
IELTS on computer or IELTS on paper
You can choose to take IELTS on a computer or paper for both the General Training and Academic tests. The test format, question types, time allocated to each test part and content is the same for both IELTS on computer and the IELTS on paper. The only difference is in your test day experience.
If you choose to complete your IELTS test on a computer, you will do the Reading, Listening, and Writing parts of the test using a computer. The IELTS Speaking test remains the same, with a face-to-face interview with an examiner. The Speaking test will be completed either just before, or just after the Reading, Listening, and Writing test.
If you take IELTS on paper, you will complete the Reading, Listening and Writing parts on paper. The Speaking test is completed in a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner, and this can be done one week before or after your test date. In the IELTS on paper test, the Writing, Reading, and Listening tests are all completed on the same day with no breaks between each test.
Make sure you also check with the test venue you wish to take IELTS before you book. Some test venues and countries only offer one or the other – IELTS on computer or IELTS on paper.
Special requirements and IELTS
Whether you are vision impaired, have a speech impediment or any other medical condition, which means you can only take IELTS under special arrangements, IELTS test venues across our network can help you.
We can offer braille paper, modified larger paper, enlarged written prompts on the Speaking task card, special Listening test, lip reading version of Listening test, special amplification equipment, word processing software and voice-activated software.
It is best to contact your test venue before booking your IELTS test and they will be able to advise on the next available test dates. The notice time can vary depending on the modifications needed for your test.
What documents you need to book IELTS
Once you have decided which IELTS test you need to take and the format you wish to take it in, you are ready to book your IELTS test.
To successfully book your IELTS test, make sure you have a valid form of identification handy. This identification document can be a valid passport, for example.
You will need to upload a clear copy of your identification document to book your IELTS test and bring this documentation on your test day too.
If you are not sure whether the identification document you have is valid, contact your local test centre to check.
Please note, if you want to book an IELTS test and are under 18 years of age, you will need to supply written consent by a parent or guardian in order to book your test successfully.
Where to book your IELTS test
If you know which test to take and have all the relevant documents, you can visit our online booking system to find a test venue and test session that is convenient for you.
Postpone or cancel your test
If you need to cancel or postpone your IELTS test, you can contact the test centre where you booked your test.
If you cancel or postpone your test more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee. If you cancel or postpone your test within 5 weeks of your test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a serious medical reason for needing to cancel or postpone it.
If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of your test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.