Are you planning to study or train abroad? Are you applying to an institution and need to prove your level of English? Do you need to raise your standard in English? Then we can help you with an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Application form can be downloaded at  www.ielts.org

WHERE IS IELTS RECOGNISED?
IELTS is accepted by most UK, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions. In the United States, it is increasingly gaining recognition as an alternative to TOEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language).

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE TEST BE?
The IELTS test takes place only in Lagos.

Registration for the month October to December is going on. It is on first come first serve basis. You can register at our Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt or Kano office and the exam is administered in Lagos

The procedure is to apply in person at our office and the documentation required for registration are 2 passport photos, the copy of the data page (with the photo) of your International Passport and the validation page (if expired), a banker’s draft in favour of British Council to cover the cost of the exam for the sum of N25, 500.00. The specimen pack is available for N4, 000.00 payable cash at the office.

PLEASE NOTE:

			The only ID acceptable is International Passport. This must be presented at registration as well as on the Test day. Photocopy of ID should be attached to application form.
			The ID must bear photograph, number and signature.
			No Box Office / PMB/ Agent and International Addresses will be accepted as correspondence address. (Please state clear and concise addresses)
			Candidate must sign the IELTS form personally. No other person is authorised to sign on behalf of the candidate. Candidate will be automatically disqualified in the event of someone else signing on behalf of the candidate.

Every candidate must attach photographs which must be:

			Identical
			Recent, no more that six months old
			Taken against plain background so that features are clearly distinguishable
			Undamaged
			In sharp focus and clear
			Print quality of professional standard.

Photographs must show:

			no shadows
			a close-up of the head and shoulders
			candidates looking straight towards the camera:
			a neutral expression with mouth closed
			eyes open and clearly visible
			reflection or glare on glasses and frames must not cover the eyes
			nothing covering the face, nothing covering the outlines of eyes, nose or mouth

Other relevant information is stated below and can be obtained on IELTS website.

Our local test dates for the second half of 2008 are ::

Test Date	Test Day	Module
8th November 2008	Saturday	Academic & General Training
15th November 2008	Saturday	Academic only
6th December 2008	Saturday	(ABUJA ONLY) Academic & General Training
13th December 2008	Saturday	Academic & General Training
10th January 2009	Saturday	Academic only
17th January 2009	Saturday	Academic General Training
7th February 2009	Saturday	(ABUJA ONLY) Academic General Training
12th February 2009	Thursday	Academic
21st February 2009	Saturday	Academic & General Training
7th March 2009	Saturday	Academic & General Training
14th March 2009	Saturday	Academic only
4th April 2009	Saturday	Academic only
18th April 2009	Saturday	Academic & General Training
9th May 2009	Saturday	Academic & General Training
16th May 2009	Saturday	Academic only
30th May 2009	Saturday	(ABUJA ONLY) Academic & General Training
13th June 2009	Saturday	Academic & General Training
20th June 2009	Saturday	Academic only

Please follow the guidelines for registration and other details as contained in the attached document

BEFORE TEST

• Candidate will receive notification/confirmation either by e-mail; telephone at least a

week before the test date.

• In the event that you do not receive the notification, please contact the British Council

• office where you registered.
• Test date cannot be deferred or transferred and fees not refundable.

Preparing for the test

You can familiarize yourself with the IELTS test by purchasing the specimen booklet which contains sample test and listening CD. The cost is N4, 000.

Workshop

We are also running one-day IELTS Information Workshops in Lagos. These Workshops will be facilitated by experienced IELTS Trainers.

Dates & Times: Monday 6 October 09:00am – 16:00pm

Numbers are limited so they are on a first come first serve basis. and the cost of each workshop is N6,000

PLEASE NOTE: Because of limited numbers & dates if you cannot come on the workshop date you registered for, please give us at least 48 hours in order to reserve a place on the next workshop, if not no refunds are given.

For further information e-mail: Ielts.enquiry@ng.britishcouncil.org

On test day

•Candidate will not be allowed to leave the hall once the test begins until after the writing exercise.

Transfer and Cancellation

The deadline for cancellations or change of date is five weeks prior to the test date. Please note if you cancel your test session, you will be refunded 85% of the fee, as a 15% administrative fee will be charged. Should you cancel after five weeks before the test, British Council has the right to retain the whole fee. Candidates who wish to transfer their test date will be charged 25% of the test fee.

Candidates who do not apply for test transfer or test cancellation and who are absent on the test day will not get a refund.

If any urgency happens after the registration cut-off date which prevents you from attending the test, you are advised to inform us immediately. Under certain special circumstances you might be allowed to cancel your test after the registration cut-off date. For example, you are seriously ill and can provide sufficient medical documentation and a letter specifying your reason for not being able to attend the test with the specified deadline.

Special Arrangements

The Test Centre in Lagos can accommodate candidates with special requirements. Candidates who require special arrangements are asked to inform us at least six weeks before the test date. Relevant supporting materials (medical certificate and/or special requirements certificate) should be submitted as well.

ACADEMIC AND GENERAL TRAINING

IELTS is available in two formats : Academic and General Training.

The Academic modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

The General modules emphasise basic survival skill in a broad social and educational context.  

This is suitable for candidates, who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education.To undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level or immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

TEST FORMAT

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking (oral test)

The first three modules must be completed in one day.  No break is given between the three modules.  The speaking module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre within a period of seven days before or after the other three modules.