The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most popular proficiency test used by countries like the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada to assess candidates that intend to travel to the country for higher education or work.
Interestingly, one of the question often asked by prospective Nigerian applicants is where do I enrol for the IETLS?
In this post, we will be answering this salient question.
Generally, the IETLS is handled by the British Council and the major council offices are in Lagos and Abuja.
If you’re enrolling in Abeokuta, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Lagos or Ibadan, the British Council Office in Lagos will handle your enrolment and test.
The council usually conducts at least 1 test per month at any of these centres.
On the other hand, the British Council in Abuja handles the Abuja, Enugu, Benin and Ilorin enrolment with at least one test taking place at any these centres every month.
Once you have applied, you will receive an email at least ten days before your test date confirming the venue for your test and the timetable. If you don’t receive this information as at when due, kindly contact the British Council Office you registered with.
There are two categories of IETLS. There is the General as well as the Academic tests and the cost the same amount, N68000.
You can pay for the test by bank transfer to any of the following banks:
- Guaranty Trust Bank,
- First Bank and
- Zenith Bank.
Usually, the test dates are available on the IETLS website. However, it is important to note that these tests are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. This is why it is recommended that you register online as soon as possible and preferrably at least two months prior to the test date.
IELTS in Lagos: Step by Step Enrollment Guide
Below is a sequence of steps you’re expected to take when registering.
Step 1: Download and read the information for candidates
This will enable you know the test format, the question types and other important information about the test.
Step 2: Select the version of the test that is appropriate for you
As stated earlier, there are two versions of the IELTS test:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training
Based on the IETLS guide, you can know and the version that is right for you.
Step 3: Check and choose your test date
Ideally, you should register at least two months before your chosen test dates. This is because there are a limited number of places for all IELTS test sessions. Registering two months before the date will prevent any issues of rescheduling. However, if you need to do your test urgently, you can register a few weeks before the test date if the date is still available.
Also, you can use the Online Registration System to find up-to-date information about test dates and availability.
Generally, your Listening, Reading and Writing test will be completed on the same day but your Speaking test may be offered on the same day, or up to a week before or after your main test day. You will receive a notification in advance if your Speaking test is on a different day to your main test day.
Step 4: Register online
Once you have decided on a date, it is time to register online. The online registration system makes the process of booking your place on the test simple.
Step 5: Upload your international passport
You can upload a scanned copy of the bio-data page of your international passport in jpeg, gif or png format when registering.
Pleas note that your scanned document must contain your ID number, signature, date of birth, photograph and the expiry date of your passport.
The size of this document shouldn’t exceed 1.5MB
Step 6: Pay the fee
Payment instruction can be found here. After making payment, if you don’t receive payment confirmation within 5 working days, you should report to the local British Council Office.
Month of Exam | Code
April | 01
May | 02
June | 03
July | 04
August | 05
September | 06
October | 07
November | 08
December | 09
January | 10
February | 11
March | 12
Location code
995102: to take your IELTS Abuja, Benin or Enugu
995202: to take your IELTS test in Lagos, Abeokuta or Ibadan
995302: to take your IELTS test in Port Harcourt
Example: The account number of a candidate writing the Abuja IELTS exams in April with passport number ending 31 will be 9951020131
When making your payment, please note the following:
Select Guaranty Trust Bank as the beneficiary bank and the account name is British Council.
In the remark field, enter your full reference number then your name of the candidate e.g. NG120-126814-2520 – Abass Chukwu Ayomide
After completing the transfer, kindly send evidence (payment summary slip or screenshot) of fund transfer, reference number and candidate name to ngielts.payment@britishcouncil.org within 24hours.
If you are unable to pay using the bank transfer option, you can alternatively raise a bank draft in favour of British Council from any Nigerian bank and submit at any of the British Council offices in Nigeria.
Step 7: Complete your registration
If you made your payment online, you should send their printed application summary, bank draft and a copy of international passport via courier or take them in person to their closest British Council office. You’re to send all documents must be received within 5 working days of your online application. Documents not received within 5 days will be cancelled.
If you decide to change your test date, this must be done at least 5 weeks before the exam.
Also there must be evidence supporting your decision. These include serious illness, bereavement, hardship/trauma, and military service.
If your application is approved, you will be charged 25% of the test fee for the test date transfer.
After writing your exam, you can collect your result on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. However, candidates in Port Harcourt can only collect their results on Wednesdays.
