20. When can I take IELTS?

IELTS is available on up to 48 fixed dates a year-up to four times a month, depending on local
demand. Your nearest test centre can give you the dates
21. What is the difference between taking the IELTS test with British Council and with IDP?
IELTS is internationally owned, internationally focused, internationally accessible and
internationally recognised. The British Council and IDP IELTS Australia are IELTS test delivery
partners and there is no difference in taking the test with either organisation.
Examiners working with both partners have to go through the same extensive training and retraining
programme and are regularly monitored to ensure they are applying the assessment criteria
accurately. Inconsistencies are not accepted and appropriate action is taken against those
examiners.
22. Why have the half band scores in speaking and writing been introduced?

The partners strive for continuous research and take feedback from stakeholders to continually
improve the test. The stakeholders felt that introducing half band scores in speaking and writing
sections of the test will give them information about the precise level of the candidate and enable
them to make a more informed decision. This does not disadvantage the candidates but gives a
more accurate result. Read more about the half bands.
23. Can I take only one module or do I have to take all four modules?
This is not possible as the final band score is an average of the score for each of the 4 skills of
listening, reading, writing and speaking. The proficiency of the candidates can only be judged based
on his/her final band score. Research has shown that people can increase (via practice) or even
decrease (via infrequent use of the language) their proficiency level from time to time.

24. How do authorities who accept IELTS know if an IELTS result is genuine?

Most organisations that accept IELTS (universities, immigration authorities) have direct access to
the global on-line IELTS verification service. From their computer they can see:

 if any of the information on the test report form has been altered e.g. band scores, photo, id
numbers etc

 if an IELTS test report form is genuine

This ensures that only genuine IELTS test report forms are accepted. Presenting a fake or altered
test report form can have serious consequences for candidates.

25. Are there any training institutes for IELTS authorised by the British Council?

No, the British Council does not authorise or quality assure IELTS training centres. But our website
does have contact information of British Council Registration Centres, some of which also offer
training facilities.

26. Why do candidates have to bring their passport to the exam?

It is essential to the authorities and institutions who accept IELTS that they are 100% sure that the
person who sat the exam is the same as the person whose identity appears on the TRF. Therefore
in each country there is an agreement with these authorities on what is the most acceptable means
of identification. For India, this is an original valid passport and our invigilators are trained to spot
 non-genuine or amended passports. The authorities who accept IELTS, such as the High
Commissions in India, do spot checks on us to ensure we are following these procedures and would
doubt the validity of our IELTS scores if we were not following this rule.

27. Is IELTS accepted in the USA?

Yes, at the latest count, 1400 US universities and colleges recognise IELTS for proof of English
language ability for students, including Princeton, Duke and Harvard Business School. Read for
more details.
CGFNS also recognises IELTS for nurses wishing to work in the USA. For a full list of
universities/colleges/ receiving institutions that recognise IELTS across the globe click here.

29. Do you conduct IELTS for special needs candidates? If yes, what is the procedure?

We do conduct IELTS test for special needs candidates. We do not have any special dates for
them. They can take the test on the regular dates.
All special needs candidates need to provide us with:

 at least 6 weeks prior notice (for any special need requirements)

 a medical report/diagnostic report
 a written request
 two choices of dates (in case the special need requirement needs a longer period)
Special arrangements can be made for candidates with special needs, for example:

 Visual difficulties
 Hearing difficulties
 Speaking difficulties
 Specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia
 Permanent writing difficulties e.g. due to cerebral palsy
 Medical condition such as diabetes
The following can be provided for special needs candidates (please check availability with
centre):

 If the candidate is dyslexic, extra time can be given on request sent from the Centre to
Cambridge
 If a candidate has a problem with eyesight, we can provide an enlarged print
 Braille papers (contracted and uncontracted Braille)
 Lip-reading versions of listening papers
 The use of an amanuensis (someone who writes your answers for you as you dictate them)
Further information pertaining to special arrangements for such candidates is also available.