What is the IELTS exam?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s leading test of English for higher education and migration. It tests the complete range of language skills that are needed by students and professionals in English-speaking environments.
Why IELTS?
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It is the International Test with Global recognition |
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It is a quality test – proven effective for over 20 years. |
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It is fair, accurate and relevant wherever it is taken |
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The face to face speaking assessment sets it apart from other English language Tests |
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A record 1.5 million tests were taken around the world in 2011 alone. |
IELTS continues its upward climb not only in India but also in the USA. Indian students wishing to apply for a place at any of the prestigious Ivy League Schools in the U.S. can now use IELTS as an indicator of their English language skills.

How will the IELTS preparation courses at the British Council help me? The appropriate preparation and guidance can go a long way to improve your IELTS band score and therefore your chances of gaining admission to a university of your choice or to emigrate to another country. This is precisely what the IELTS preparation courses at the British Council will help you with.
Our courses will:
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Teach you examination skills and techniques. |
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Prepare you for the type of questions you will have to answer in the test. |
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Help you to understand the kind of answers the examiner expects from you. |
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Familiarise you with the test format and time restrictions by doing mock practice tests. |
Why British Council?
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British Council has over 70 years of English language teaching experience worldwide. |
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Your course instructor will be an internationally qualified, highly trained IELTS teacher. |
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You will receive the latest IELTS practice materials and mock tests. |
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You will receive feedback from the teacher. |
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Our Library has a range of material to support your learning. |
What do our students say?
“The British Council's IELTS prep course is really the best option. I benefited enormously by undergoing this training owing to the skills and techniques shared by expert trainers.” - Dinesh Singh Lalotra |
“IELTS intensive, an English programme that helped me build my English and prepare for my IELTS exam, was really helpful.” -Palakshi Pal |
What level of English do I need to join a preparation course? You should have a General English level equivalent to at least our Intermediate 4 level. Ideally you should be an independent learner at Upper intermediate level (B2 Common European Framework).
Why? The aim of our IELTS Preparation courses is to improve your exam techniques and strategies and help you get the best score that you can, and not simply to improve your general English level. For that reason your level of English has to be considerably good before you attempt the exam.
When are the IELTS Preparation Courses held? We deliver two types of IELTS preparation courses:
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Intensive 20 hour course (5 days) |
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Regular 32 hour course (8 weeks) |
The following dates for 2012 are given below:
| Intensive Course Dates |
Nearest IELTS Exam Dates |
| 2 – 6 January |
7, 12 and 14 January |
| 16 – 20 January |
21 January |
| 30 January – 3 February |
4 and 9 February |
| 13 – 17 February |
18 February |
| 21 – 24 February |
25 February |
| 5 – 7 March |
8 and 10 March |
| 12 – 16 March |
17 March |
| 26 – 30 March |
31 March |
| 9 – 13 April |
12,14 and 21 April |
| 23 – 27 April |
28 April, 10 May |
| 7 – 11 May |
12, 19, 26 May |
| 4 – 8 June |
9,14 and 16 June |
| 25 – 29 June |
30 June |
| 2 – 6 July |
07 and 12 July |
| 16 – 20 July |
21 July |
| 23 – 27 July |
28 July |
| 30 July – 3 August |
4, 9 and 11 August |
| 20 – 24 August |
25 August |
| 27 – 31 August |
1 and 6 September |
| 10 – 14 September |
15 September |
| 17 – 21 September |
22 September |
| 1 – 5 October |
11 and 13 October |
| 15 – 19 October |
20 and 27 October |
| 29 October – 2 November |
3 November |
| 5 – 7 November |
8 and 17 November |
| 19 – 23 November |
24 November |
| 26 – 30 November |
1 , 6 and 8 December |
| 10 – 14 December |
15 December |
Regular 32 hour course dates
| Session |
Session Dates |
| Winter Session |
9 January – 4 March |
| Spring Session |
12 March – 6 May |
| Summer Session |
11 June – 5 August |
| Monsoon Session |
13 August – 7 October |
| Autumn Session |
15 October – 14 December |
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