IELTS Energy 517: How Is British Council Different Than IDP?

Students wonder how British Council is different than IDP. Today you’ll learn the answer!

British council different IDP

Recently, a couple students have wondered if their exam experience will be different depending on which center they sit the exam.

There are a lot of rumors out there causing anxiety, erroneously, about these differences.

The fact is that the IELTS Exam is EXACTLY THE SAME at every test center, all over the world.

However, there are some slight differences between the test centers themselves.

Indeed, some centers are just not as organized as others- getting back to students late about when the Speaking Exam is, for instance.

First, you should talk to someone who has actually had the exam at your future test center, get the low down, so you know what you’re in for.

In Jessica’s experience, British Council organizations tend to use more expats, or native speakers, whereas IDP has a broader employee pool with a wider variety of backgrounds.

Also, British Council is run more strictly, some might say professionally, than IDP centers.


100% Score Increase Guarantee with our Insider Method






Nevertheless, your basic exam experience will be exactly the same, such as the order of the sections and the timing constraints.

The Speaking Exam schedules do vary from center to center, so find out if you have to have that the same day as the other sections, or if you can schedule it before/after the rest of the IELTS test.

As far as examiners go, the training and expectations are exactly the same no matter where they work.

Although the examiner may be a bit more relaxed in a looser atmosphere, such as at IDP, he or she will grade you according to the same rubric and descriptors.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you take the test. You must control your performance, and you will receive the same score regardless of the building you are in.

To that end, you have to know what the examiner wants in Speaking and Writing, so you practice efficiently, with every minute of study being geared toward getting the highest scores possible.

Have you taken IELTS? Where? What was your experience like?

Share your experience in the comments section below!


Photo Credit: