IDP vs. British Council: History, Differences, Nature & Important Details

IDP and the British Council are two of the most popular test providers for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Both organizations offer a high-quality testing experience, but there are some key differences between them.

What is the full form of IDP and BC?

• IDP full form: International Development Program
• BC full form: British Council

History: Founding Years and Changes Over Time

IDP was founded in 1968 by a group of Australian universities. The organization’s original purpose was to provide English language training and assessment services to students and professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. In 1989, IDP became an official IELTS test provider.

The British Council was founded in 1934 by the British government. The organization’s original purpose was to promote British culture and education overseas. In 1989, the British Council became an official IELTS test provider.

In 2021, IDP acquired the British Council’s IELTS business in India. This means that IDP is now the sole provider of IELTS exams in the Asia-Pacific continent of India.

Andrew Barkla, CEO of IDP, said, “This agreement marks the start of a new chapter for IELTS in India.”

IDP acquired the British Council’s IELTS business in India in 2021 for £130 million. There were two main reasons for this acquisition.

• To consolidate the IELTS market: IDP and the British Council were the two main providers of IELTS exams in India. By acquiring the British Council’s IELTS business, IDP became the sole provider of IELTS exams in India. This gave IDP a stronger market position and allowed it to offer more efficient and streamlined services to test-takers.

• To expand IDP’s global reach: IDP is already the sole provider of IELTS exams in 100 countries around the world. By acquiring the British Council’s IELTS business in India, IDP further expanded its global reach and became the sole provider of IELTS exams in 101 countries. This gave IDP a stronger foothold in the Asia-Pacific region and allowed it to better serve the growing demand for English language testing in India.

IDP has not acquired the British Council’s IELTS business in any other country. However, it has acquired other English language testing businesses in the past. For example, in 2017, IDP acquired the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic business. This acquisition made IDP the sole provider of PTE Academic exams in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The acquisition of the British Council’s IELTS business in India is a significant development in the English language testing market. It is likely to have a major impact on test-takers in India and could lead to changes in the way that IELTS exams are delivered in the country.

IDP

• The original name of IDP was the Australian Asian Universities’ Cooperation Scheme (AAUCS).
• IDP was founded by a group of 13 Australian universities in 1968.
• The first IELTS test was administered by IDP in 1989.
• IDP is the largest IELTS test provider in the world, with over 1,400 test centers in 101 countries.
• IDP also offers a variety of other English language assessment services, such as the IDP Primary English Test (PTE) and the IDP IELTS Indicator.
• IDP is a non-profit organization, and its profits are reinvested in the organization’s educational programs and services.

British Council

• The British Council was founded in 1934 by the British government.
• The organization’s original purpose was to promote British culture and education overseas.
• The British Council became an official IELTS test provider in 1989.
• The British Council has over 100 offices in over 80 countries around the world.
• The British Council offers a variety of educational programs and services, including English language teaching, cultural exchange programs, and scholarships.
• The British Council is a non-profit organization, and its profits are reinvested in the organization’s educational programs and services.

IDP vs. British Council: A Comparative Bifurcation

Now that we know the history of both IDP and the British Council, it’s time to know about their core differences. They are listed below under categories:

Nature of the Test

The IELTS is a standardized test of English language proficiency. The test is divided into four modules: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The listening and reading modules are multiple-choice, while the writing and speaking modules are more open-ended.

The IELTS is a high-stakes test, and your results can have a significant impact on your future educational and professional opportunities. Therefore, it is important to choose a test provider that you trust.

Which one is better and why?

So, which one is better, IDP or the British Council? There is no easy answer to this question. Both organizations offer a high-quality testing experience, and the choice ultimately comes down to your individual preferences.

If you are planning to take the IELTS in a country where IDP is not present, then you will need to take the exam with the British Council. However, if you have a choice, then you may want to consider taking the IELTS with IDP, as their fees are generally lower when it comes to tuition.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which test provider is right for you is to research both organizations and compare their offerings. You should also consider your own personal preferences, such as the location of the test centers and the availability of test dates.

Accent: Is it a Problem or Not?

IDP and BC are the two main IELTS test providers, and they both use a variety of accents in their listening and speaking tests. This is to ensure that test-takers are prepared for a variety of accents in real-world situations.

In the listening test, you will hear a range of accents from different countries, including Australia, Britain, America, and Canada. The accents will be both native and non-native, and they will vary in terms of their clarity and strength.

In the speaking test, you will be assessed on your ability to communicate effectively with a native speaker of English. The examiner could come from any country and have any accent. However, they will be trained to assess your ability to communicate, regardless of their own accent.

Here are some tips for speaking with an accent in the IELTS speaking test:

• Speak slowly and clearly.

• Use simple language.

• Avoid slang and idioms.

• Repeat yourself if necessary.

• Be confident.

If you are concerned about your accent, you can practice speaking with a native speaker or take an accent reduction course. However, it is important to remember that your accent is not the most important factor in the IELTS speaking test. The most important thing is to be able to communicate effectively.

Details to Remember

Here are some other details to keep in mind when choosing between IDP and the British Council:

• Test centers: IDP and the British Council have test centers in over 140 countries around the world. However, the exact number of test centers in each country varies.
• Test dates: IDP and the British Council offer IELTS exams on a regular basis. However, the exact test dates may vary depending on the country where you take the exam.
• Registration: You can register for the IELTS online or by mail. The registration process is similar for both IDP and the British Council.
• Score reports: Your IELTS score report will be sent to you by mail or email. The score report will include your scores for each module of the test, as well as your overall band score.

Note: Remember, if you’re from India then it is recommended that you should give your IELTS via IDP.

IDP vs. British Council: A Conclusive Debate With No Losers! 

Now that you know the details of IDP vs. British Council, and that they are not so different leaving some areas, let’s get started on your exam preparation.

Start with An Exclusive Grammar Workbook: Guide to All Grammatical Woes to brush up on your grammar skills!

Cover the complete IELTS syllabus with IELTS Academic: A Comprehensive Learner’s Bundle and get your dream IELTS band.

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• IELTS vs OET
• IELTS vs PTE