IELTS

How to register for IELTS

The fee for the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training test is KES 31,900

IELTS UKVI – KES 35,200

IELTS Life Skills – KES 25,300

To register, please follow the instructions below;

Cash Payment

1. Make CASH payment at our office.

2. Submit a copy of both sides of your National I.D/Passport to us.

3. We will then assist you with the registration process.

Mpesa Payment

You can also make payment through MPESA:

1. Go to your Mpesa menu on your phone and select ‘Lipa na Mpesa’. Select ‘Paybill’
2. Under business number, enter 880100. Press OK. 
3. Under account number, enter 6762470011. Press OK. 
4. Under amount, enter your desired amount to transfer. Press OK. 
5. Enter your Mpesa PIN number to validate the transaction. Press OK.
6. Once sent, wait for an NCBA and Mpesa SMS confirmation on the transfer. 
7. Send the confirmation message to us on email – info@lts-africa.com with your full names. 

IELTS registration requirements 

• Valid ID document (National ID or Passport) – Make sure that your names match on your registration form.
• You will also need to present the same identity document on the day of the test.
• Check which IELTS test you are required to take.
• Follow the payment instructions above.
• Once your booking is complete, you will receive the following emails; 

1. Registration confirmation, along with your test venue (address) and the test start time.
2. Speaking test confirmation. Your Speaking test may be scheduled on the same day as the other sections, or on a different day, 7 days before or after your main test day. You will receive a confirmation for the Speaking Test date.
3. After booking your test, you will also receive an automatic email with your access codes to the free online course.
4. You will also receive your IELTS Reference Number to access the Test Taker Portal.

Your Test Taker Portal allows you to check;

• your test date 
• your venue for the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking sections (available 5 days before the test)
• your payment information
• your contact information
• your results
• test prep resources
• British Council contact information

NB: Make sure you have included the correct email address when booking for the test.

How do I prepare for the IELTS test?

To have the best chance at doing well on IELTS, it’s important that you prepare for the test. The following materials will help you get ready and know what to expect on your test. 

Understand the test format

Familiarise yourself with the format of the test by reviewing the test content, as well as the question and task types for each section.

IELTS sample questions 

Practicing with sample questions can help you familiarise yourself with the format of the test. Here are some sample questions to help you prepare for your IELTS test. This will give you an idea of what to expect in the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests. 

Sample Practice Tests 

Official IELTS practice materials

These are designed to help you understand the IELTS test format and the types of questions you may be asked. 

You can purchase the official IELTS Practice Materials (with DVD) book from us. 

The book contains: practice tests for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (both Academic and General Training); Listening, Reading and Writing answer sheets; Listening and Reading practice test answer keys and Listening tapescripts; sample candidate Writing responses and examiner comments; sample candidate Speaking tests and examiner comments. 

The DVD contains a Listening test for candidates to practise and film footage of three students taking the Speaking test.  

The book costs KES 4,000

Renting the book is KES 3,000 for 2 weeks. We will refund KES 1,000 if the book is returned in good condition after 2 weeks.

Consider a preparation course

Our trained and qualified IELTS expert tutors can help you prepare for the test to improve your performance. 

You can view our IELTS test prep packages on the link below. 

IELTS Tuition Packages 

What can I expect on test day?

Here are some tips to help you perform at your best on test day. 

Be prepared

• Double check the time and date of your test and allow plenty of time to travel to the test centre. If you are late, you may not be allowed to take the test.
• Make sure you have the right identification documents with you. If you arrive with the wrong ID, you will not be allowed to take the test. Present the ID document that you registered with for the test.

Relax

• Try to remain calm at the test centre.
• If you start to feel worried, take some deep breaths to help you calm down.
• Work calmly, focus on the questions, don’t rush your answers and you will do your best.
• Read the IELTS rules and regulations before the test so you understand them. You’ll find these in the IELTS application form. 
• If you have any questions, we are there to help.

Follow the instructions

• Switch off your mobile phone and any other electronic devices. You will be asked to place all of your personal belongings in lockers. 
• The Listening, Reading and Writing test take 2 hours 40 minutes and there are no breaks between each section of the test. 
• Make sure you are prepared and have something to eat and drink beforehand. You will not be allowed to take food into the test room except for drinking water in a transparent bottle.
• Listen to the supervisor carefully and follow the test day instructions.
• Before you begin the test, read the instructions carefully.
• Don’t lose points for careless mistakes because you didn’t follow the instructions.  

Watch the time 

• Watches are not allowed in the test room. Every test room will have a clock on the wall. Stay aware of the time so you can attempt all questions.
• The Listening, Reading and Writing tests have a number of sections. Allow enough time for each section. 
• Be aware that some questions have suggested time limits for you to follow.  

When will I receive my IELTS scores?

Paper and computer tests

• If you have taken an IELTS on Paper test, your Test Report Form will be available 13 days after your test date.
• If you have taken an IELTS on Computer test, your results will be available in 3 to 5 days after your test date. 

IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills

• If you have taken an IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration, you can view your results 13 days after your test.
• If you have taken IELTS for Life Skills, results are available within after the test. 

You will receive one copy of your Test Report Form, or two copies if you are applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

You can pick up your results in person from British Council. 

Get your IELTS results online

Your results will also be available to view online for 28 days (This should not be used as an official confirmation of your performance)

You will receive an email notification from British Council with a link to view your IELTS scores. 

You will need your passport or ID number (the same number you used when you registered for the test) and your candidate number to view your scores. 

How do I send my scores to schools or organizations?

When you book your IELTS test, you can request to send your results to up to 5 organisations free of charge. Results can be sent to further nominated organisations for a small administration fee.

If you need to send additional IELTS results to organisations after the test date, then please contact British Council. 

How do I request a re-mark?

If you are not happy with your results, you can request a review of your scores through a service called an Enquiry on Results (EOR)

The request for a re-mark must be made at British Council within 6 weeks of the date shown on your Test Report Form.  You may ask to re-mark the whole test or any sections (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) 

You must pay an enquiry on results fee, which is fully refunded if your band score changes. 

Your results will normally be available in 2 to 21 days, depending on several factors including the number of sections requested for re-mark. If you have not received a response after 28 days, please contact British Council.

Can I resit the IELTS test?

If you didn’t get the IELTS score you wanted, you can apply to resit the test as soon as you feel ready. However, before applying for a resit you need to keep in mind that your score is unlikely to improve without a significant effort to improve your English. 

Preparing for your IELTS resit

Naturally, you may feel frustrated about not achieving your desired IELTS result, as well as nervous about resitting the test. However, with hard work and dedication, you can improve your IELTS score.

Before you resit the test, it is highly advisable to review strategies and tips to help you improve your English language skills. 

We also recommend you:

• Read about IELTS band scores and what each band score represents
• Try the practice test questions
• Take IELTS preparation classes with our IELTS expert tutors
• Practice English at home and in your real-life/everyday activities. 

IELTS cancellation and refund policy

Please note: This is the policy for IELTS (Academic and General Training), you can find the UKVI cancellation and refund policy here. 

Cancelling your IELTS test

If you cancel your IELTS test up to five weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee of 25% of the test fee. 

Please note that refunds can take four to six weeks to process. 

If an original medical certificate confirming illness on the date of the test is provided within five working days of the test date, together with the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form, the fee is refundable, minus an administration fee of 25% of the test fee. 

Only original medical certificates in English are accepted. If both required documents are not received at the British Council offices in Nairobi by the fifth working day after the test, you will be marked as absent and forfeit all claims.

Copies sent by fax or email are not accepted. We recommend sending medical certificates by registered mail. Sick notes issued by family members are not acceptable. 

Requesting a test day transfer

If you need to change the date of your test from the date you originally booked, you can request a test day transfer up to five weeks before the test date, free of charge. 

Please note that the new date must be within three months of the original date. In cases of illness, a transfer is possible within five weeks of the test if an original medical certificate is provided within five working days of the test date, together with the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form. 

If you receive a transfer to a new test date (either before the test or due to illness) and are ill on the second test date, then you are not entitled to a refund of the test fee nor to any further transfer to a new test date. 

Please note:

When you hire an IELTS study book and return it in good condition after 2 weeks (includes rental date & return date) you will receive KES 1,000 refund. After 2 weeks, a fee of KES 200 will be charged per day.

NB: If your return date falls on a weekend or public holiday, it is forwarded to the next working day. A refund is only made if the book is returned in the same condition as it was at the time of renting.

Resources

Test Dates & Locations https://www.britishcouncil.co.ke/exam/ielts/dates-fees-locations

How To Get Your Scores https://www.britishcouncil.co.ke/exam/ielts/results

Test Day Tips https://www.britishcouncil.co.ke/exam/ielts/test-day

General Information https://www.britishcouncil.co.ke/exam/ielts