What Should I Choose for the IELTS Test? British Council or the IDP?

The increase in number of Filipinos who need to take the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination is evident with the number of IELTS review centers existing in the country today. The good thing with these various IELTS review centers is that candidates are given the chance to choose which one would best fit their needs. Moreover, these review centers offer different review programs and services that candidates need to consider before enrolling. One service that they offer is registration for the examination.

For first time candidates, you are to be asked whether you are registering for the IDP or the British Council. What are these and how are they different?

The IDP and the British Council are the two agencies that are authorized to provide IELTS examination in different countries all over the world.  The IELTS is managed by three different organizations: University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.

British Council is an experienced organization focused on test administration.  This organization administers over 500,000 examinations overseas on behalf of British examining boards. On the other hand, IDP Australia is Australia’s international education organization. It offers services like student advisory and educational publications promoting English language teaching and testing.

Is there a huge difference between the two?

NO. Some countries only host IDP or British Council while some have both. There is no difference with the content of the examination. Furthermore, the two agencies may also differ with the pre-test and post-test services they are offering.  In the Philippines, the registration fee for both exams is different. In the IDP, candidates need to pay an amount of PhP 8900 while British Council charges PhP 8986 because they send some review materials to their candidates.

Regarding the assessments on the exam particularly in the speaking and writing, people who are assigned to check these sections are trained and are given instructions on how to rate the candidate’s responses.

Since both examinations in these two organizations are the same, candidates need not to worry about the training they are getting from IELTS review centers whether it is British Council or IDP quality. They just need to focus in acquiring the necessary skills to be successful in all sections of the exam such as skimming and scanning in the reading, note taking skills in the listening, responding appropriately in speaking and creating effective essays for writing.

Know more about IELTS here: www.ieltsexamstips.com