IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

The international English language testing system (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with over 2 million tests taken in the last year.

IELTS assesses all of your English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at study, at work, and at play, in your new life abroad.

The IELTS test is developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment. It has an excellent international reputation, and is accepted by over 8,000 organisations worldwide, including schools, universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.

IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test that uses a one-on-one speaking test to assess your English communication skills. This means that you are assessed by having a real-life conversation with a real person. This the most effective and natural way of testing your English conversation skills.

You can take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training – depending on the organisation you are applying to and your plans for the future.

Whatever your reason for taking IELTS, make the most of your language skills.

Benefits of taking IELTS with the British Council

• Quality examination venues
• High quality cordless headphones for the listening module
• Free 30 hour online training on 'Road to IELTS'
• Get a Free preparation book ‘IELTS 8’ with official examination papers and answers from Cambridge University Press
• Get a chance to win a scholarship worth INR 300,000
• Send your IELTS score to 5 universities free of cost.Terms and conditions apply

Access 10 hours of free online IELTS preparation on Road to IELTS, by clicking on the applicable image.

The British Council India offers IELTS tests at 38 locations across India. Registrations are centralised and are processed at the British Council offices in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. Check test dates and locations  

How to Register?

You can register for the IELTS :

           Online

            In person at your nearest British Council office

            By post/courier; send your completed application form to your nearest British Council office

We recommend that you book online as this is the most efficient way to reserve your test with a British Council test centre.

Fees for IELTS      

INR 8900 for all test dates till 30th June 2013

INR 9300 for all test dates from 1st July 2013

How to Pay?

• Pay online by Credit / Debit Card

              (Visa, Visa electron, Master Card)

• Pay through Cash or Demand Draft or Credit Card

                    Make cash payment at any ICICI bank branch by filling in the  

                                   ICICI/British Council payment slip.  

                    Send  a demand drawn in favour of “British Council Division”

                                   along with a copy of the online registration confirmation. 

                    Demand drafts should be made to British Council Division and payable in:

                                   Delhi for North India

                                   Mumbai for West India

                                   Chennai for South India

                                   Kolkata for East India

                     Pay by Credit/Debit card (Visa, Visa electron or Master Card) by visiting  

                                   the British Council along with a copy of registration if applied online

How to complete the application

Once you have completed the online registration process, please send us the following documents within 3 working days:

If you are paying online

- A copy of the email confirming that you have been registered online.
- Two signed passport sized colour photographs (not older than six months and without glasses). For photograph specifications visit candidates’ photographs for full details
- A photocopy of your valid passport

If we do not receive the above mentioned documents within 3 working days, your application will be automatically cancelled.

If you are paying by DD or an 'ICICI payment slip' at a British Council Office / Library

- A copy of the email confirming that you have been registered online or signed application form
- Two signed passport sized colour photographs (not older than six months and without glasses). For photograph specifications visit candidates’ photographs for full details
- A photocopy of your valid passport.
- The evidence of your payment made (either the demand draft or the ‘British Council Copy’ of the ICICI Deposit / payment slip (for all test dates till 30th June 2013 - Rs. 8900 ICICI payment slip; for all test dates from 1st July 2013 - Rs. 9300 ICICI payment slip) ).

Please note:

All candidates will be required to have their photograph taken by IELTS administrative staff on their test day. Please make sure that you review the instructions supplied to you after you have booked your test.

You must not wear glasses in the photographs that you provide, or when you have your photograph taken on the test day..

Prepare for your IELTS test with more free online resources courtesy of British Council. Our expertise can help you get ready for IELTS wherever you are in the world.

Road to IELTS: Test Drive - Free IELTS e-learning and assessment

'Road to IELTS' is British Council's e-learning and assessment tool for people preparing to take the IELTS test. ‘Road to IELTS: Test Drive’ provides free access to 10 hours of preparation materials including listening tests, reading and writing exercises and mock tests designed to help you develop your exam skills.

Test drive Road to IELTS

Practice your IELTS listening

Try these practice activities for the IELTS Listening test from the British Council's LearnEnglish website.

Start the listening practice (opens in new window)

Practice your IELTS speaking

Watch this series of videos from the British Council's LearnEnglish website, designed to help you prepare for the IELTS Speaking test.

IELTS interview skills (opens in new window)

Improve your general English listening skills

A comprehensive range of high-quality learning materials is available to help improve your English listening skills at the British Council's iTunes University site (note you will require iTunes to view this content).

British Council listening (opens in iTunes)

Download our free android app

British Council IELTS Word Power is a vocabulary practice app for IELTS test takers. With over 100 questions to test your word power, this app helps to build vocabulary in preparation for the IELTS test.

British Council IELTS Word Power (opens in Google Play)

IELTS Registration Form

ICICI payment slip

Rs. 8900 ICICI payment slip  -- for all test dates till 30th June 2013

Rs. 9300 ICICI payment slip -- for all test dates from 1st July 2013

List of downloadable forms and documents  

Application form for postponement or cancellation of IELTS test

Application form for Additional Test Result Form

Application form for Enquiry on Results

IELTS information for candidates

STED RO List