IELTS examination is given by students who aspire to study or work abroad. Even though other English language testing exams are available, IELTS is the most popular. Many people have doubts about why IELTS is so expensive.
IELTS is costly as it is a globally recognised and standardised English proficiency exam administered by the British Council or IDP Australia. The cost for the IELTS exam varies between 200 to 225 dollars. It costs more money for the efforts put in by academicians, researchers, administrators, examiners and assessors, and the test conducting bodies to ensure hassle-free test conduction.
Let’s go through more information on the IELTS exam’s pricing structure, fee waiver, and other fee-related concerns.
The fee structure of IELTS
The IELTS exam registration fee differs slightly based on the country and the test centre where you wish to appear for the exam. The current Cost ranges from 200 to 225 dollars ( 15,500 Indian rupees ).
The fee for IELTS UKVI falls approximately at the same rate ( 15,750 Indian rupees). The UKVI IELTS is a UK government-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). This test is exclusively used for UK Visa and Immigration Application ( UKVI).
Can I get deductions on my IELTS fee?
There are no provisions for the IELTS exam fee to be waived. The rules and regulations governing the exam are set as international bodies control and conduct the examination. However, scholarships are available to help with the total waiver of exam fees.
If a candidate receives the test fee scholarship, they can take the examination without paying any test fees. IELTS test fee scholarships are typically offered by both the British Council and IDP Education. Some private organizations, such as Leap Scholars, offer IELTS fee waiver scholarships to students who study IELTS with them or forward their study visa processing through them.
The IELTS test fee waiver scholarship will exempt a candidate from paying any fees and will cover the full cost of the exam. The test fee scholarship is applicable to both British Council and IDP fees. The scholarship will cover the current IELTS exam fee of Rs. 15,500. Within 45 days of taking the test, candidates will receive a full refund. It is critical to remember the deadlines for applying for the fee waiver.
The eligibility criteria for availing IELTS exam fee scholarship are:
- Candidates’ monthly family income should be lower than $250
- Candidates should be attempting the exam for the first time.
- Candidates should be below 32 years of age while applying.
- Must be high school qualified with 75% marks
- Candidates who have completed undergraduate studies should have at least a 3.0 GPA.
When am I eligible for an IELTS fee refund?
You are eligible for a refund if you cancel your IELTS test up to 5 weeks before the test date. You will receive a refund after deducting 25% over the administration fee.
You can also obtain a refund if you apply in less time than stated above. Exemptions from this policy are applicable if:
- You are seriously ill and require hospital admission.
- You are on Bereavement ( loss of a close family member).
- You are in trauma as an effect of being a victim of a crime or a traffic accident.
- You are involved in emergency military service.
A cancellation request and all necessary supporting documents/evidence should be submitted via the test taker’s portal. These documents and requests must be uploaded by the fifth working day following the test date or you will be marked absent and all claims will be forfeited. The refund will take between four and six weeks to process. As it is a lengthy process, it is best to ensure that you attend the examination on the scheduled date.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my test after changing my test date?
You can change the date of your IELTS exam if an urgent situation arises. The test date may be changed at any moment prior to the test. However, candidates must keep in mind that they should choose a test date that is, if possible, three months from the initial exam date. If you change the test date after these three months have passed, your transfer will be regarded as a cancellation.
If you moved your exam date to a new date and can still not attend on the second test date, you will not receive a refund of the test fee and will be unable to reschedule the test any further, as you can only transfer the same booking once.
How many times can I write an IELTS exam with one payment?
There is no limit to how many times you can take the IELTS exam. However, you will have to pay a separate fee each time. As a result, you can only take the exam once for a single payment. You must pay the full fee the second time you take the exam.
One of its greatest benefits is taking the IELTS exam as often as you like. If you do not receive your needed band scores in the first attempt, you have to retake the rest. You can select a retake date that is convenient for you because there are up to 4 test slots available each month for the Academic and General IELTS exams.
Can I pay separately and give the exam for the modules I want?
The IELTS exam is divided into four modules: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. A candidate must attempt all modules in order to pass a single test. If you need to retake the test to improve your score on one or two modules, you must take the entire test again because there is no option only to take one or two modules.
Thus, if you receive lower scores in one module while meeting the requirements in the others, it is preferable to devote some time to additional learning before attempting the exam a second time, because taking the exam soon after your first failed attempt will not guarantee you a higher band.
Should I pay extra for clubbing my IELTS score?
Clubbing is a process in which the best of your last two consecutive IELTS results are used. A candidate does not need to pay money to club the IELTS scores because you already paid twice for taking the exam.
Both of these test report forms are submitted to the registration council in order for the visa to be processed. Clubbing is currently valid only for nursing registration and not for any other profession. So, a person taking IELTS to study abroad or for Permanent Residency (PR) is expected to achieve the required score in all modules in a single test attempt.
Is there a difference in fee for Pen and Paper mode IELTS and Computer-based IELTS?
The payment scheme for both pen and paper-based and computer-based IELTS is the same and it ranges between 200 to 225 dollars ( 15,500 indian rupees ).
The traditional method of taking the IELTS exam is pen and paper. You complete all three modules here, listening, reading, and writing on a printed question paper. Each module can be attempted with either a pen or a pencil.
The computer-based IELTS is still relatively new, introduced in Australia in 2017. It is now available in over 20 countries and allows you to take the exam on a computer. For the computerized exam, you must complete the system’s listening, reading, and writing modules, and all answers must be typed. The speaking session will be a live face-to-face interaction for both of these testing modes.
How much does the IELTS mock test cost?
There are numerous free IELTS practice tests available online. After you book your test date and pay the fee, the IDP or British Council will send you sample workout material that you can use to take a mock test at home. Several other IELTS providers also offer free online scored and unscored mock tests.
To take Free online IELTS practice tests from British council website, click here
IELTS Progress Check by IDP is a paid mock test service that uses official IELTS markers to assess your scores. You will receive a detailed feedback report with approximate IELTS scores. This official mock test costs approximately USD 50 ( 4000 indian rupees). Both the General and Academic IELTS tests can be taken with the IELTS progress check. You can purchase either timed or untimed tests based on your necessity.
How to ensure that the fee I pay is worth it?
The best way is to prepare thoroughly and confidently take the examination. When it comes to preparing for a language proficiency exam like IELTS, there are no shortcuts. Because the exam is quite expensive, thorough preparations lasting one to two months would be ideal.This way you can gain your required scores in the first attempt itself.
It is if you are ardently dreaming of studying or settling abroad and are determined to work towards that goal. The first hurdle to overcome if you plan to migrate is obtaining the required IELTS score. The IELTS is also a valuable qualification for many learners as it provides an employer, a visa officer or a college admissions officer with a clear cut idea regarding your English language proficiency skills.
How much does it cost for official IELTS preparation?
There are no official courses that provide IELTS preparation. The British Council, on the other hand, offers several free sample preparation materials on their website. If you need a tutor to help you with your preparations, many institutes in every city offer both onsite and online IELTS classes. Individual and group classes are available, depending on your preferences. The cost of such classes would range between $150 and 180 dollars (12000 to 15000 Indian rupees), depending on the area and the institute where you intend to enroll.
A wealth of free materials is available online to assist you in preparing for IELTS. Numerous YouTube channels can provide you with a real-time classroom learning experience and help you improve your bands. Even free publications that offer advice and ideas for each module are available for download. Instead of spending a lot of money on preparatory classes, starting with free resources is best.
Conclusion
Preparing for and taking the IELTS exam is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour. It takes perseverance, determination, and, of course, some financial backing. Saving money can help you sail through the process with relative ease. However, your efforts will be rewarded once you receive your desired score and realise your dream of migrating.