IELTS in India to be completely managed by IDP – From July 25, 2021

The British Council IELTS centers in India have been acquired by the IDP. The acquisition will be operational from 25th July 2021, and IDP will take over the responsibilities of delivering the IELTS tests and issuing the TRFs. However, it is to be noted that the content, format, structure, and marking scheme of the IELTS test will continue to remain the same.

Now, it is quite natural that many of us are anxious to know the reason behind this change. COVID-19 has caused a lot of confusion since 2020. So IDP and BC have been considering adapting to the new situation and also surveying possibilities. So it has been decided that a single test distributor in India will provide a hassle-free test environment. Also, as part of this acquisition, all the BC IELTS test centers in India will be rebranded to IDP IELTS. Henceforth [ i.e., from 25th July 2021] test takers have to login to IDP online portal for booking the IELTS.

Impact of the change:

If you’ve already taken your test via the BC, this change will not impact you. Your IELTS test will be valid for 2 years from the date of your test.

If you’ve booked the test via BC and are yet to take the test, please read on to know the impact:

PBT

Any PBT scheduled before 11 July 2021, will not be impacted. 

Any PBT booked post 11 July 2021, will be impacted. Your test will still be on the same date, but your test location may change. You may be asked to take the test in a nearby IDP location. IDP teams will contact you by 7th July and provide the login details for the IDP system.

CBT

Any CBT scheduled before 25 July 2021, will not be impacted. 

Any PBT booked post 25 July 2021, will be impacted. Your test will still be on the same date, but your test location may change. You may be asked to take the test in a nearby IDP location. IDP teams will contact you by 7th July and provide the login details for the IDP system.

Privacy of data:

IELTS partners will protect your personal information. There will be a transfer of data from BC to IDP for the forthcoming tests. IDP will continue to maintain your data in a secure manner. 

Test Report Forms:

For tests already taken via BC, the TRF by BC is valid for 2 years from the date of the test. Replacement requests and EOR’s will be entertained by BC, until August 1, 2021, after which IDP will assist you in getting the same done seamlessly.

Pending Speaking tests:

If your Speaking test is pending with BC, it will be conducted by BC.

Cancellation Requests:

PBTs scheduled before 11th July and CBTs scheduled before 24th July and booked via BC can be cancelled via BC. 

For PBTs after 11th July and CBTs after 24th July, IDP will handle the cancellation requests. However, do allow them time till July 7 for your information to reflect on their systems.

BC learning materials:

You can use any learning material from BC, as there is no change in the content or the format of the test.

Also check: 

• How to score band 8 in IELTS
• IELTS exam dates
• IELTS Test Centres
• IDP vs British Council