International English Language Testing System is the most popular exam among Indian students for admission to an abroad university. The IELTS exam is available in two formats: IELTS Academic and IELTS General.
If you plan to go abroad for study purposes, you will have to take the IELTS Academic Test, and If you need it just for visa purposes, you may take IELTS General Test.
The IELTS registration process is simple and has been explained step-by-step below. Ideally, starting your IELTS prep at least 3 months before the exam date is best. Keep this in mind while you register!
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IELTS Registration 2023
You can appear for the IELTS test on any 48 fixed dates yearly. If you are unsatisfied with your result, you can reattempt the exam, as there is no limit to giving the IELTS test. The IELTS test fee can go up to Rs. 16,250. Therefore, you are suggested to prepare hard for the exam to clear it in one go. The test fee depends on the IELTS test you are applying for. The latest fee is given below:
Latest IELTS Test Distributor in India
| Test Type | New Cost (INR) |
| Computer-delivered IELTS | 16,250 |
| Pen and paper based IELTS | 16,250 |
| Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI | 16,250 |
| IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration | 16,250 |
| IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | 14600 |
IDP in India has solely distributed IELTS Testing since 25th July 2021. Previously it was conducted by: the British Council, Cambridge English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and the International Development Program (IDP).
After you crack your IELTS exam, you can study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country.
IELTS Exam Application Process
You can either apply for IELTS through an online process or in an offline mode.
Offline IELTS Registration
For offline registration, you must follow the steps below:
1. Download the IELTS registration form from the official website of IDP
2. Select your preferred test date and time.
3. Manually fill out the registration form. Remember to add an address that is courier serviceable.
4. To make the payment:
- Pay by cash to the nearest ICICI bank and acquire the proof of payment.
5. You can also visit the IDP India office and fill in the application form at the office. Here, you will receive the confirmation of your reservation instantly.
Online IELTS Registration
The process through online IELTS registration is quite easy. Follow the following steps:
- Visit the official website of IELTS.
- Go to the Register option.
- Next, you must select the test date and type it according to your preference.
4. Fill in your personal details as asked in the form.
5. In this step, you need to give all your registration details.
6. Upload a copy of your passport
7. Select all the colleges you wish to send your IELTS score to
8. Review all your details carefully before making the final payment.
9. Make the payment through your credit/debit card
10. Download/Print the acknowledgement slip once the payment is made
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal Information | Name of the applicant Email address DOB Address Phone number Gender |
| Identification Proof | Identity document Identity proof number |
| Nationality Information | Level of education Number of years of studying English Current studying level in English |
| Occupational Information | Occupation sector & Occupation level |
| Educational Qualification | Level of education Number of years of studying English Current studying level on English |
| Reason for IELTS | Higher Education or, Employment Purpose |
| Disability | If any |
| Other | Declaration Signature Date |
Refer to the below table to find your occupational code, and fill in the occupation section.
| Occupational Sector | Code |
|---|---|
| Administrative services | 1 |
| Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Mining | 2 |
| Arts and Entertainment | 3 |
| Banking and Finance | 4 |
| Catering and Leisure | 5 |
| Construction Industries | 6 |
| Craft and design | 7 |
| Education | 8 |
| Health and Social Services | 9 |
| Installation, Maintenance and Repair Services | 10 |
| Law and Legal Services | 11 |
| Manufacturing and Assembly Industries | 12 |
| Personal Services | 13 |
| Retail Trade | 14 |
| Technical and Scientific | 15 |
| Telecommunications and Media | 16 |
| Transport | 17 |
| Utilities | 18 |
| Wholesale Trade | 19 |
| Other | 0 |
You must also fill out a code for an occupational level and the occupational sector.
| Occupational Level | Code |
|---|---|
| Self-employer | 1 |
| Employer/partner | 2 |
| Employee (Senior level) | 3 |
| Employee (Middle or Junior level) | 4 |
| Worker in home | 5 |
| Retired | 6 |
| Student | 7 |
| Other | 0 |
You must state your intention behind taking the IELTS exam, below are the codes for eligible reasons.
| Reason for IELTS exam | Code |
|---|---|
| For higher education, extending 3 months or more | 1 |
| For higher education extending 3months or less | 2 |
| For other educational purposes | 3 |
| For registration as a doctor | 4 |
| For Immigration | 5 |
| For employment | 6 |
| For professional registration (other than medical) | 7 |
| For personal reasons | 8 |
| For registration as a nurse (including CGFNS) | 9 |
| For registration as a dentist | 10 |
| Other | 0 |
Process After the IELTS Registration
- The candidates who have registered in online mode will receive a mail about the confirmation of the payment. It also contains Free IELTS preparation material, “Road to IELTS”.
- After receiving the mail, your IELTS test date will be confirmed.
- The candidates who applied through the offline mode will receive the confirmation receipt, access details and the preparation material within 7 days via mail.
- You are required to keep these documents safe.
Some Important Points for IELTS Booking
- The candidate must be above 16 years old to take the IELTS exam.
- The information in your registration form and your passport should match exactly.
- You are required to carry your passport while appearing for the test.
- You should select a date for the exam at least 3-4 months before your desired college application deadline. The reason is that you can reattempt the exam if your first attempt didn’t go well.
Rescheduling or Cancellation of IELTS Examination Date
- You can still change the preferred exam date or cancel the examination after payment.
- You can change the date or file for cancellation through an email, an official letter, or visit the council in person.
- If you change the exam date 5 weeks or more from the date of culmination, you will be required to pay an additional fee
- You can choose a new date within 3 months of the original date.
- If you wish to take the IELTS examination after several months, you must cancel the exam and re-register for a future date.
- To get a refund, you need to cancel the exam at least 5 weeks before the date
- If you cancel your examination in the last 5 weeks, no refund will be paid
Also, remember that late arrival to the examination might be considered a cancellation without a refund. Hence, try to reach the examination hall on time for the IELTS exam so there is no delay.Â
Also read: Dates of IELTS Exam 2023: Check IELTS Test Dates & Locations in India! (leapscholar.com)
Eligibility for IELTS Exam
The IELTS examination is open to all without discrimination for age groups, gender, race, or nationality. The exam council recommends this test for anyone above the age of 16 with no upper age limit for the examination.
Additionally, you can take the exam as many times as you want. Most colleges and universities require a score of 7 or higher for admission to their college. Some universities also accept a score of 6.5, but it is preferred to have a score of 7 for a wide range of options.
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How do I View my IELTS Exam Results?
The IELTS examinations are evaluated very quickly. The results of the exam will be available to you within 2 weeks.
- In the case of online examination:
The results are available within a week of undertaking the exam. The test centre will send you an email informing you about the declaration. You can log into your account using your ID, password, test date, and passport number. The results are available on the online forum for 28 days after the declaration. Ensure to collect a copy within the time frame.
- In the case of an offline examination:
The results for the IELTS exam in an offline mode require a little more time to evaluate. The evaluation and declaration of the results are carried out within 13 days from the date of the culmination of the test.
Now that you have registered, start your preparation! Here are some tips to get you started: How To Crack IELTS Exam In 15 days? IELTS Tips in 2023 (leapscholar.com)
IELTS Test Centers All-over India
There are almost 78 test centres for conducting the IELTS exam. The following are the locations where the IELTS exams are conducted:
Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Kolkata, Kottayam, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Madurai, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Patiala, Pune, Raipur, Rajkot, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Trichy, and Vijayawada.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is IELTS difficult to pass?
A. IELTS assesses your ability for English language proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The test is not so difficult, granted you have done your preparation right. The test can be completed within 3 hours, and the pattern and format are simple to get through.
Q. Can I write IELTS without a degree?
A. There is no required degree or qualification to give the IELTS test. IELTS is open to everyone to take, despite your age or qualifications. However, it’s expected that you be at least 16 years of age before you apply for IELTS, but it’s officially mentioned.
Q. What is the passing score for IELTS?
A. There is no pass or fail score for IELTS. It has a band score of 1.0 as the lowest and 9.0 as the highest. Any score below 5 is usually considered a low score, and it’s hard to get into universities with a score like that. The ideal score should be 6 and above, depending on the course and university you’re applying for.
Q. Can I change my test date or location after I have registered?
A. Yes, you may, but you must pay an administrative fee. If you cancel/reschedule in the last 5 weeks, you will not get any refund. Besides, there’s no guarantee that you will get your desired date and location while rescheduling, so it’s best to make a confirmed decision while registering the first time.
Q. How soon can I retake the IELTS exam?
A. You can retake the IELTS exam as soon as you would like. However, we highly recommend taking some time to prepare for the test before you reappear. Ideally, give a 2-3 month gap before you take the test again. While preparing, ensure you’re well prepared, especially in the areas you lacked the first time.
Q. What if I am absent or sick on the IELTS test day?
A. If you miss the exam due to illness, you must provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test. You will receive a refund for the same, minus the administrative fee. Without medical proof, you will not be provided with any refund. For any other unforeseen circumstance, you can call the test centre and discuss it with them.
Q. Are there any specific identification requirements for IELTS registration?
A. Yes, during the IELTS registration process, you’ll be required to upload a clear and valid identification document, such as a passport. This identification document will be used to verify your identity on the test day. You must also ensure that your name on the ID meets the one on the registration form and that all details match each other.
Q. How far in advance should I register for the IELTS exam?
A. It is recommended to register for the IELTS exam well in advance, ideally at least before 3-4 months, to secure your preferred test date and location. Registration opens several months before the test dates, and popular test centres may fill up quickly, so it’s best to register early.
Q. Can I register for the IELTS exam without a passport?
A. No, a valid passport is typically required for IELTS registration. Your passport will serve as your primary identification document and be used to verify your identity on the test day. Currently, IDP does not accept any other form of identification. Ensure your passport is valid and matches the information you provide during registration.
Q. Can I change the test format (Academic or General Training) after registering for the IELTS exam?
A. Typically, IELTS Academic and General have different dates, so it might not be possible to switch between the exams. Generally, it is not recommended that you switch close to the exam date as both exams require different sorts of preparation.
Q. What is the IELTS registration fee?
A. IELTS Academic is currently priced at INR 16,250 for paper and computer-based exams. This charge can vary if you register late, as there is a fine for late registration. The fee also varies depending on which test you take. The price range for IELTS UKVI, and IELTS life-skills is between 15,350-16,500.
