When preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, how important is your decision in choosing your test provider? Two of the leading providers that most test takers consider are IDP and the British Council. While both organisations are co-owners of the IELTS, the question is: can the test provider you select influence your test-taking experience? Read on to learn the differences between IDP and the British Council so you can opt for the test provider that suits your needs and preferences.
Notably, the nature of the standardised IELTS test remains consistent across both IDP and the British Council. There is no difference in the test content, the expertise of the examiners, the scoring process, or the banding of results. This means that your IELTS results will still be the most widely accepted in the world, recognised by over 12,500 organisations in more than 150 countries, including government bodies, educational institutions, and professional agencies.
However, subtle differences in the personal test experience — such as test centre facilities, availability of test dates, and additional support services — may impact your comfort level and overall performance on test day. If you’re deciding between IDP or the British Council, this guide will lay out the differences so you can make the best choice for your needs.
Understanding the IDP and British Council
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about IDP and British Council to make an informed choice:
What is IDP?
IDP is a global leader in international education services, known for its expertise in student placement and IELTS testing. Founded in 1969, IDP focuses strongly on helping international students pursue education in English-speaking countries.
IDP also plays a dual role in the education sector. Not only does it conduct IELTS tests, but it also assists students in finding suitable courses and universities abroad. This comprehensive approach makes IDP one of the best partners for students seeking both English language certification and educational or occupational opportunities abroad.
What is the British Council?
The British Council is an international organisation specialising in cultural relations and educational opportunities. It has a long-standing reputation for promoting English language education and fostering cultural exchange between the UK and other countries. The British Council operates globally, providing language learning opportunities and facilitating exams, including IELTS.
The IELTS experience with IDP
With operations in over 60 countries, IDP, as a joint owner of the test itself, has extensive experience in conducting IELTS tests and preparing test takers for success. Choosing IDP for your IELTS test comes with several benefits that cater to a wide range of needs. Here’s a closer look:
1. Extensive support for international students
IDP is not just an IELTS test provider but also a leader in guiding international students towards studying in English-speaking countries. With an extensive network of expert counsellors that provide study abroad counselling, IDP helps students secure placements in universities and colleges across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and the USA. Additionally, many IDP counsellors are also former international students who have gone through the experience and can offer their personal insights and dedicated support, from application to graduation.
Furthermore, IDP has partnerships with over 800 leading universities, schools, and colleges. This makes choosing IDP particularly advantageous if you’re taking IELTS to study overseas. With IDP, you can get help finding the best institution that fits your goals and preferences and even receive guidance for the visa application process and ongoing support after you’ve arrived at your study destination. This end-to-end service ensures a smoother transition and a more fulfilling international education experience.
2. Comprehensive preparation resources
One of the major advantages of choosing IDP is the variety and reliability of its free official IELTS preparation resources. IDP offers some of the most comprehensive and easily accessible preparation materials available.
IDP provides a range of IELTS preparation courses designed to meet different needs. For instance, there’s the full IELTS preparation course, which is best for those who have not taken the test before and require comprehensive support to cover all aspects of the test. There are also additional preparation courses offered by their partners, such as the Macquarie University and E2 Test Preparation courses (available on the IELTS by IDP app), which can help students sharpen their skills. Additionally, some courses are offered throughout the week, providing flexibility to suit varying schedules.
Additionally, IDP offers supplementary support, including free online IELTS mock tests, webinars, and masterclasses, to help students prepare effectively and increase their chances of achieving their desired scores. This wide array of resources ensures all test takers have the tools and support to excel in their tests.
3. Ease of booking and test centre comfort
IDP makes booking your IELTS test straightforward and convenient, offering all IELTS test types, including General Training, Academic, and Life Skills. This provides flexibility for test takers to choose the test that best suits their needs, whether for academic purposes, professional certification, or migration.
Whether you prefer to take your test on a computer or on paper, IDP offers both test formats, ensuring you can select the one that aligns with your preparation style and comfort level. Additionally, IDP provides the One Skill Retake option for IELTS on computer, allowing test takers to retake only one section of the IELTS test to improve their overall score. This is ideal for those who need to boost their performance in a specific area without retaking the entire test.
For those taking IELTS on computer, IDP test centres are designed for optimum comfort and to ensure that test takers can perform their best. For example, IDP provides noise-cancelling infrared headphones or wireless headphones (depending on the test centre) for the listening portion of the test, helping to minimise distractions so you can focus better.
IELTS with British Council
As a language school, the British Council’s focus on cultural relations means it integrates cultural awareness with language skills. There are also several aspects that cater to specific test takers, such as:
Flexibility in learning
The British Council offers flexibility in scheduling, teacher selection, class types, and language focus, potentially allowing students to tailor their learning experience using live online group classes and private classes. The British Council also provides a range of pricing options for its language courses to make them accessible to a broad range of students.
Language classes and resources
Like IDP, the British Council provides students with guidance in language education for their learning journey. This includes paid language classes, online exercises and free and paid online resources for preparation for both IELTS Academic and General Training tests. Its catalogue of resources includes instructional videos, IELTS preparation books, IELTS mock tests, and IELTS insight workshops to allow test-takers to choose the preparation methods that best suit their learning style.
IDP vs British Council: making the right choice for your IELTS preparation
So, which is better, IDP or the British Council?
As a co-owner of IELTS, IDP is equipped to provide test-takers with a full suite of free support for international study, comprehensive preparation resources, and a comfortable test-taking environment equipped with noise-cancelling headphones. All of these are geared towards supporting test-takers with the resources and environment necessary to focus on IELTS, helping them to attain the band score they desire as the first step to studying, working and living overseas.
As the IELTS test they administer is ultimately the same, choosing between the two providers ultimately depends on the location and availability of test dates, test fees, and reviews from previous test-takers to see if IDP or the British Council provides specific levels of service that cater to your personal learning style.
Ready to unlock your potential? Book your IELTS test with IDP today to access a wealth of preparation materials and maximise your IELTS score. Don’t leave your future to chance — prepare with the best and succeed with IDP!
