How to book your IELTS test with IDP or the British Council
A step-by-step guide to registering for IELTS — choosing Academic or General, picking a date and format, what you need, and how to be ready before test day.
Booking IELTS is straightforward once you know which version and format you need. The test is delivered by the British Council and IDP: IELTS, and you register through their official booking sites. Here's the full process, step by step.
Step 1 — Confirm which test you need
Check your university, employer or visa requirement for two things: the IELTS version (Academic or General Training) and the minimum band score, including any per-skill minimums. Booking the wrong version is the most common — and most costly — mistake, so confirm this first.
Step 2 — Choose your format and date
- Decide between computer-delivered (faster results, more dates) and paper-based.
- Pick a test date that leaves you enough preparation time — and, if results feed an application deadline, enough buffer afterwards.
- Note whether Speaking is on the same day or scheduled separately.
Step 3 — Register and pay
Create an account on the official British Council or IDP booking site for your country, select your test type, date and location, and complete payment. The fee varies by country, so check the current local price during booking. You'll need a valid passport or accepted national ID — and the exact same ID must be presented on test day.
Step 4 — Prepare for test day
- Bring the same identity document you registered with — no exceptions.
- Arrive early; latecomers are usually refused entry.
- Know your test centre's rules on what you can bring into the room.
- For computer-delivered tests, arrive familiar with the on-screen interface.
Step 5 — Get results and plan a retake if needed
Results (the Test Report Form) arrive within a few days for computer-delivered tests, or up to about two weeks for paper. If you fall short in one skill, you can now retake a single section with 'One Skill Retake' in many locations, rather than sitting the whole test again — check availability in your country.
Be ready before you book
The best time to book is when your practice scores are consistently at or above your target band. On IELTSVega you can benchmark yourself with full mock tests on real timing and get AI band scoring on Writing and Speaking — so you book your test date with confidence, not hope.