How to Book the IELTS Exam in India (2026)

The IELTS exam fee in India is approximately ₹17,000 for both British Council and IDP. Fees are reviewed periodically — check the official BC or IDP India websites for the current price before booking. Computer-delivered and paper-based tests cost the same.

Both providers deliver the same official IELTS test, set by Cambridge Assessment English. There is no difference in scoring, marking, or the certificate produced. The main practical differences are: test centre locations, available dates (IDP often has more CDT slots), and website experience for booking.

Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially for popular cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru where slots fill quickly. Computer-delivered tests have more dates available — if you need a test within 2–3 weeks, CDT is usually the only option.

Yes, but policies differ. British Council allows rescheduling up to 5 weeks before the test without a full fee loss — you pay a transfer fee of approximately ₹3,000. Cancellation within 5 weeks results in a partial or full fee forfeit. IDP has similar policies. Always check the specific terms when you book.

The content, difficulty, and scoring are identical. The difference is format: paper-based means you write by hand on an answer sheet and receive results in 13 days. Computer-delivered means you type your answers on a screen (Speaking is still face-to-face with an examiner) and results arrive in 3–5 days. Many candidates find CDT easier for Writing as typing is faster than handwriting.

Canada Express Entry uses the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). IELTS Academic and General Training are both accepted for immigration — General Training is the more common choice. For CLB 9, you typically need 7.0 in each skill. For university admission in Canada, you need Academic.

You must bring the same valid passport you registered with. No other ID is accepted — not an Aadhar card, PAN card, driving licence, or any other document. If your passport has expired or the name differs from your booking, you will be refused entry and will forfeit your fee.

No. Computer-delivered results are released 3–5 days after the test; paper-based results take 13 days. The result is visible online first — the physical Test Report Form (TRF) is dispatched separately and usually arrives within 2–3 weeks.

There is no official limit on how many times you can take IELTS. However, most institutions will want to see your most recent result. You can retake IELTS as frequently as you like — some candidates take it once a month when slots are available. There is no waiting period between attempts.

Take a diagnostic mock test to establish your current band. Then work with a study plan that targets your weakest skill. Most candidates need 4–12 weeks of focused preparation to improve by one full band. The preparation course at IELTS Training Camp is structured around a target band and exam date, so you can lock in a date once your mock tests are consistently hitting your goal band.