When looking to take the IELTS test, you’ll come across both the British Council and IDP IELTS. While both are popular test providers and are recognised by many institutions, there are differences between the two. Considering the importance of the test for your future opportunities, these differences matter.
Ultimately, the right provider for you is the one that aligns with your goals and accommodates your test-taking needs.
Below, we highlight five facts that show the similarities and differences between the British Council and IDP IELTS.
1. Both IDP and British Council are official IELTS providers
The British Council has decades of experience in English language education and assessment, meanwhile, IDP is one of the world’s leading international education organisations. They are both official IELTS test providers. They do not write the tests, but safeguard the conditions for the test –and ensure fair, accurate results.
For IELTS Academic or General training registration, British Council and IDP are equally legitimate and trustworthy, and have the same fundamental responsibilities. These include IELTS registration, administering IELTS tests, maintaining IELTS test centres, training examiners, and conducting quality control across all test locations. The British Council and IDP also create preparatory material for test takers to study and become familiar with the test format.
Both the British Council and IDP are globally recognised IELTS providers. This means that you will receive the same credible qualification - and it will be accepted by thousands of schools and businesses worldwide, regardless of which provider administered the test.
Learn more about which organisations accept IELTS.
2. Both are globally operated and recognised
The British Council and IDP operate on a global scale. The British Council is represented in over 140 countries worldwide, and has 4,000 IELTS test centres. IDP is based in over 30 countries, has 450 test locations, and is accepted by over 12,500 organisations across the world.
The international nature of both tests means that each provider upholds high standards in test delivery and fairness across all their locations. They both cater to varied linguistic backgrounds, through a team of diverse English speakers with different accents and cultures. They both prioritise a positive test taker experience and are committed to maintaining a consistent brand.
To find your closest test centre, the British Council and IDP have an online location tool where you can search by country and city.
3. Same content, same scoring
Whether you choose to take the British Council or IDP IELTS test, the test itself is identical. Both providers have the option to take the test on paper or on computer – and the format is the same.
Learn more in our blog IELTS on Paper vs Computer: Which is Best for me?
There is no advantage or disadvantage in the test content distributed by the providers. All IELTS tests are standardised globally – every candidate has the same questions, depending on the day they take the test.
Likewise, the scoring system is the same for the British Council and IDP. All IELTS tests consist of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each one is scored on a scale of 0 to 9, and scores can be given as whole numbers or .5 numbers.
All IELTS examiners complete the same training course, follow the same marking criteria, and have the same band score descriptors. Examiners are also regularly checked to ensure they don’t mark too high or low. Therefore, results from the British Council and IDP will consistently and accurately reflect each test taker’s performance and English proficiency level.
Ready to go? Book your IELTS test online with the the British Council now
4. Different support services
The services that IDP and the British Council offer are somewhat different. These differences could be the deciding factors in helping you choose your IELTS provider.
The British Council offers a range of comprehensive resources to prepare for IELTS. These include courses, free practice tests, videos, and more. For candidates who prefer engaging study preparation, these resources are excellent.
The British Council also has an attentive customer service team to support enquiries. These customer service operators are located all over the world, offering assistance in multiple languages.
IDP IELTS has its own study materials and customer support. The availability of these resources and support differs between the British Council and IDP IELTS. The cost of the test and additional services also changes between the providers. Candidates should ensure that their preferred budget and support needs match with the IELTS test provider’s services.
5. Different scheduling times and experience
When and how you’re able to complete the IELTS exam will vary according to the provider. The British Council and IDP IELTS have different scheduling systems and availability. Depending on whether you want the paper or computer-based version of the test will also influence scheduling.
The computer-delivered test is generally more flexible and has more available dates from both providers. Still, the dates and times will be different for each provider. These are based on seasonality, test centre location and other factors.
The British Council offers the IELTS paper test on 48 fixed dates a year – be sure to check it is available in your country or region. It also has the option for candidates to take IELTS from their homes in certain countries. For either the paper or digital exam, candidates can book in person or online.
During the paper exam with the British Council, you are given a pen and can request headphones for the Listening section. Special accommodations are also available for candidates with disabilities or other requirements.
Learn more about accessibility and special arrangements in British Council IELTS test centres.
Is the British Council or IDP IELTS the right fit for you?
Many aspects of the British Council IELTS and IDP IELTS are the same or similar. Yet the small differences can guide you towards the test that makes the most sense for you. Your comfort and personal preferences are important – the more relaxed you are, the more confident you feel, and the better you perform.
Select the test that seems the right fit for you, and you’ll not only have an optimal test-taking experience, you may even improve your results.
Need a helping hand? Speak to us for direction in your decision.
Ready to go? Book your IELTS test online with the the British Council now