What is IDP and does it give real scores for IELTS?

The IELTS test is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. Regardless of whether you take the exam with the British Council or IDP, all tests are administered under the same standards and guidelines set by Cambridge.

The main distinction between the two organizations lies in the certification you receive, which will clearly indicate whether you tested with the British Council or IDP.

Both organizations offer IELTS exams regularly throughout the year, depending on your location. A common misconception is that the British Council's exams are easier than those conducted by IDP. However, in India, both organizations typically administer the IELTS on the same day and at the same time (usually 1:30 p.m.).

The test content—encompassing the Listening and Reading modules—is identical for both the British Council and IDP on the same day. The Speaking test, however, is scheduled separately. For the Listening and Reading sections, answers are recorded on an OMR sheet, and full responses are required to achieve the correct scores, ensuring consistency between the two testing bodies.

Both organizations conduct exams in well-equipped environments tailored for optimal testing conditions, but at different venues within the same city on the same day. Ultimately, while examiners may vary, the overall testing experience is designed to be fair and unbiased.