IDP IELTS Test Booking 2026: Complete Registration Guide

To book an IELTS test with IDP, visit ielts.idp.com and click 'Book Now'. Select your test type (Academic or General Training) and format (Computer or Paper). Choose your preferred city, test center, and available date. Create your IDP account with personal details matching your passport exactly. Upload a clear scan of your passport, review all details carefully, and complete payment using credit/debit card or net banking. You'll receive instant email confirmation with booking details and test day instructions.

IDP offers IELTS test dates throughout 2026 in every month from January through December. Computer-delivered tests are typically available up to 7 days per week at major test centers, while paper-based tests are offered 2-4 times per month. Specific dates vary by location and test center capacity. Peak seasons (June-August, December-January) have more frequent dates due to higher demand. Visit your country's IDP IELTS website to check exact dates available at your preferred test center location.

IDP IELTS test fees vary by country and region. In UAE, the fee is AED 1,470 for both Academic and General Training tests. In India, it's approximately ₹18,000. In Australia, the fee is AUD $340. The fee is the same for both paper-based and computer-delivered formats. The cost includes all four test components, test administration, result processing, Test Report Form delivery, and sending scores to up to 5 institutions. Additional fees may apply for rescheduling, extra score reports, or late registration.

There is absolutely no difference in the IELTS test itself between IDP and British Council. Both are official test providers and co-owners of IELTS. The exam content, format, difficulty level, marking criteria, band score descriptors, and global recognition are identical. Your certificate and scores have equal value regardless of which provider you choose. The only differences are in practical aspects like test center locations, available dates, booking systems, customer service, and preparation resources offered. Choose based on convenience, location, and available dates rather than perceived test quality differences.

Choose IELTS on computer if you type faster than you write by hand, need results urgently (3-5 days vs 13 days for paper), want more flexible test dates and time slots (up to daily availability), and prefer editing text digitally with automatic word count. Choose paper-based if you're more comfortable writing by hand, want extra time to transfer your Listening answers (10 minutes vs 2 minutes), prefer reading printed text rather than screens, or feel more confident with traditional exam formats. Both formats have identical difficulty, content, and scoring, so choose based solely on your personal preferences and circumstances.

Yes, you can reschedule your IDP IELTS test, but specific fees and deadlines apply. You must contact IDP customer service at least 5 weeks before your test date for a full refund minus administrative charges (typically 25% of test fee). Changes made between 5 weeks and 2 weeks before the test may incur higher rescheduling fees. Changes requested less than 2 weeks before the test date may result in no refund or transfer option. Policies vary slightly by country, so check your local IDP website for exact rescheduling terms. Always reschedule as early as possible to maximize refund and minimize fees.

Book your IDP IELTS test at least 2-4 weeks in advance for regular periods, and 4-6 weeks ahead for peak seasons (June-August, December-January) or major cities where slots fill quickly. Early booking ensures you get your preferred date, time, and test center location. It also provides adequate preparation time and allows flexibility for rescheduling if circumstances change. For computer-delivered tests with more frequent availability, 2-3 weeks advance booking is usually sufficient. However, if you have strict deadlines or specific date requirements, book as early as possible—some test centers accept bookings up to 6 months in advance.

For IELTS on computer, results are available online within 3-5 days after your test date. For paper-based IELTS, results are available within 13 calendar days. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, and you can log into your IDP account to view and download your unofficial results immediately. Your official Test Report Form (TRF) will be mailed to your registered address and also sent electronically to up to 5 institutions you selected during registration. You can send additional score reports to other institutions for a fee after receiving your results.