In this tutorial you will, we talk about IDP and British Council IELTS

*  Learn about the two administrative bodies that run the IELTS exams: British Council and IDP.

* Find out if the IELTS test is the same in both or if there are any important differences.

This will help you to:

*  Choose between IDP and the BC

Are there any differences between IDP and British Council IELTS?

That’s a very easy question to answer. The simple answer is no. Let’s see why:

* The IELTS exam has three owners: Cambridge English Language Assessment, based in Cambridge in the UK, IDP, Melbourne, Australia and the London-based IELTS British Council.

* IDP and the British Council administer the exam.

* Cambridge English Language Assessment is responsible for writing and marking IELTS test.

This means that:

* The English language exam has exactly the same format and content.

* Both IDP and British Council administered exams are equally valid. For example, if you take the exam with IDP, your grades will be valid all over the world, including the UK. And, it’s the same for the British Council administered exam. It’s valid everywhere, including Australia.

But is the IELTS speaking test the same?

Yes. Exactly the same. Same length, same structure.

What about the examiners?

Good question. First remember that:

*  All IELTS examiners, IDP and British Council, are experienced teachers who receive the same training.

*  They all follow the same criteria to assess each candidate.

*  They are regularly monitored to make sure they follow high interview and marking standards.

So, no problems.

I worry about different accents

Don’t worry.

* An examiner may come from a number of English speaking countries, including the UK, Australia, the USA, Ireland, to mention a few.

* The examiner may also be a bilingual non-native speaker of English.

* Accents will vary and the same is true of the Listening section of the Test where you may hear people from different English speaking countries and with distinguishable regional accents. But, what they all have in common is clarity. None will be difficult to understand.

Is it just a personal choice?

Mostly yes. Both IDP and the British Council are present in over 100 countries worldwide. So, in many places it’s a question of geographical location. In some countries, such as India for example, you can find both so you have a choice. Remember too that the test dates are the same.

Are there countries that prefer IDP or British Council?

No, not at all. I mentioned validity before. Take Canada as an example. It accepts both for immigration or study purposes as well as its own accepted language entrance exams.

Paper or computer?

Right. I was waiting for this question? Let’s look at the facts:

* All over the world, more and more students are studying and taking exams online, IELTS is no different.

* IDP began offering a computer delivered IELTS option in December 2017 in 20 countries,

* The British Council currently also offers this alternative in an increasing number of British Council centres.

* The difference between paper and computer is simply that the Listening, Reading and Writing parts are done on a computer.

* The Speaking test is still face-to-face with an examiner.