By Sanna
Have you decided to take the IELTS test?
If you have, it’s just as important to familiarize yourself with the registration process as it is to prepare for the test itself. In Pakistan, IELTS is conducted by three organizations: British Council, Australia Education Office and International Development Program. All three facilitators conduct the same test and.
The IELTS is used by universities, colleges and employers around the world as a standard of English language proficiency. It’s a non-academic test of your ability to communicate in English, which you can take anywhere in the world and on any computer.
Over 9,000 colleges and universities in more than 130 countries. The IELTS exam is intended for people who wish to study or work where English is the language of instruction or where there are substantial English language requirements.
The IELTS test has four components: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Each component carries a different weighting of the overall score, depending on whether the component assesses your ability to read, write, listen or speak. To pass the IELTS test, you need to achieve an overall band score of at least 7.0 out of 10.
The tasks in each section include questions on both factual knowledge and application skills.
IELTS is a highly respected qualification because it involves an authentic test environment without any prior preparation. The test is based on current academic research regarding how people learn another language.
1. IELTS Register Via British Council
British Council offers both online and offline options for booking a test and payment. For starters, you need to check the available test dates (here). Please note the speaking test is usually conducted on a separate day than the written test.
Test centers are only located in a few cities, so you will need to schedule your test accordingly. Similarly, IELTS registration fees vary from city to city.
1.1 British Council Online IELTS Registration
For booking your test online visit the British Council website. Once you click on the type of test you want to book you will be directed to create an account here. You will choose your location and test dates as well as whether you want to take a computer-based or paper-based test.
Bear in mind you will need a scanned copy of your CNIC or Passport to upload at the time of booking. Payments can be made via the following ways:
- Online by credit card. Please note, if you use someone else’s credit card to make the payment, fill and bring “Credit Card Authorization Form” in addition to the other documents on your test day. If you use your own credit card then you will have to present that card on your test day.
- Via bank draft (made payable to ‘British Council’).
- With cash at your local Standard Chartered Bank. Please note these payments can only be made at the specific bank branches listed here.
- If you are a candidate in Abbottabad, you can use these MCB branches.
- (For regular and CD IELTS) By ATM/Online bank funds transfer. Click here for more details.
- IELTS UKVI and Life Skills via ATM/Online bank funds transfer. Follow the instructions here.
Keep the payment receipt handy as it will be needed on the day of your test.
1.2 British Council Offline IELTS Registration
In order to register offline, you will need to visit the British Council website to download the application form or you can access it here. After filling it up you will need to visit one of the designated Standard Chartered banks and pay for the test.
You are likely to do so by demand draft/ deposit slip in favor of the British Council. Please take care to retain the deposit slip receipt with you, as you will need to present it on the day of your test.
You will then need to either courier the application form along with supporting documents to your nearest British Council center or hand it in personally.
Do note that, there is a chance you will not get your preferred test date. In these cases, the British Council will process your application for the next available date. To ensure this does not happen you need to apply in advance.
2. IELTS Register Via Australia Education Office
The Australia Education Organization also conducts IELTS tests and offers both online and offline registration options. Once again, you should make sure to register well in advance.
AEO now offers several testing locations however registration is accepted at only a few. Candidates from Peshawar, Jhelum and Abbottabad will register with AEO Islamabad, those from Sukkur, Hyderabad and Quetta have to register with AEO Karachi and AEO Lahore receives applications from Sialkot, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan.
2.1 AEO Online IELTS Registration
To register your IELTS online you will need to book your test date via their online portal or visit https://aeo.com.pk/. Keep a scanned copy of your ID document and a recent passport-sized photo handy. After your online booking, you will receive a confirmation via email.
You then have five days to make the payment and send your documents to your nearest AEO office. The required documents include:
- Print of confirmation email with registration information
- Valid CNIC or Passport copy (copy of photograph and stamped pages)
- Bank draft/ pay order payable to AEO Pakistan, this fee may be subject to local taxes.
After you have submitted these documents in person or via courier you can expect to be contacted after 2 days. For any further queries, such as an up-to-date mailing address, you can contact AEO via email [email protected] or the following number 111-236(AEO)-000.
2.2 AEO Offline IELTS Registration
To register offline you can choose to visit your nearest AEO office where the staff will guide you in person and issue a confirmation letter as well. You can also download the application form and send it in all supporting documents via courier. Here’s what you will need:
- Valid CNIC or Passport copy (copy of photograph and stamped pages)
- Bank draft/ pay order payable to AEO Pakistan, this fee may be subject to local taxes.
Make sure you read the form carefully and follow all instructions. Please call (111-236(AEO)-000) or email ([email protected]) AEO for the most updated address information before mailing your documents.
3. Register Via IDP
IDP or the International Development Program is another co-owner of the IELTS test and therefore an official organizing body that offers its services in a number of countries.
IDP and AEO both use the same online portal for IELTS test booking. They have three locations in Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Keep reading ahead to find out how you can book your test.
3.1 IDP Online IELTS Registration
You will need to visit their online portal, where you will be able to see available test dates by location and type of test: paper or computer-based/ Academic or General.
Simply make your selection and you will be directed to fill out some basic information, as well as creating a login. You will need to upload a scanned copy of either your passport or ID card. Make sure it’s clear.
You can then make your payment via credit card. You will receive your final test booking confirmation email a few days before the test, so make sure you check your email.
3.2 IDP Offline IELTS Registration
If you cannot book or pay for your test online, you may visit anyone at the IDP offices and make your payment via bank deposit. Here’re the addresses for IDP offices in Pakistan.
| CITY | ADDRESS | CONTACT |
| Lahore | Office # 29-30, 2nd Floor, Park Lane Tower, 172-Tufail Road, Lahore Cantt, Pakistan | +92 42 36629427 |
| Islamabad | Office No. G13, Ground & Mezzanine Floor, Islamabad Stock Exchange Tower, Jinnah Avenue, Postal code 44000, Islamabad, Pakistan | +92 51 2726799 |
| Karachi | Suite # 1402, 14th Floor, Foakh Tower, Main Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi, Pakistan | +92 213 4320978 |