Young woman smiles in front of her computer while checking IELTS exam dates in Colombia

In Colombia, you can take the IELTS exam (IELTS Academic, IELTS General and IELTS UKVI exam) on paper or on a computer at an official British Council IELTS centre in Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cucuta, Ibague, Manizales, Medellin, Pasto and Villavicencio with optimal biosecurity conditions, location and comfort on numerous IELTS dates per month.

We are working hand in hand with the government to comply with all security protocols and current regulations, therefore, we are gradually opening our sessions. You can check the dates and examination centres available in the registration link found in the table in the next section and prepare yourself with our free IELTS preparation material.

How much does the IELTS exam cost, and where in Colombia can I take it?

 Use the dropdown to select your preferred location and see upcoming test dates.

What you need to know

1. Measures by national and local governments during the pandemic

Before making your registration, take into account the measures adopted by the national and local government (Pico y cédula, quarantine, curfew, among others).

2. Test schedule / timings

Your Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of the test will be completed on the same day with no break in between. During the pandemic, we are running tests in the morning and in the afternoon. All sessions allow social distancing. Morning sessions are usually between 9.00 and 12.00. Afternoon sessions are usually between 13.30 and 14.30.

If you take IELTS on paper, your Speaking test will take place on a different day to the other sections of the test, in a 7-day window before or after the main test day. You will receive an email confirming your Speaking test date 48 hours in advance. 

Choose your Speaking test slot

You can choose your Speaking test slot whether you take IELTS on a computer or on paper. If we need to change your slot due to the pandemic, we will notify you by email or phone.

Some of our test centers are conducting the IELTS Speaking section through video calls with the same high level of identity verification and with the same characteristics of face-to-face Speaking.

For more information, please contact your local test centre.

3. Underage test-takers

If you are a minor (11-17 years old *), your parents or guardian will have to: 

*IELTS is not recommended for anyone under 16.  

What you need to book

1. A valid identification document, which you will also have to present on the day of the exam.

When you register, you’ll need to upload a scan of your ID. It must be valid at the time of booking and on the test day. Keep in mind that on the day of the exam you must present yourself with the same document that you use for registration, otherwise you will not be able to take the exam and you will not be able to apply for a refund.

The only valid documents to take the IELTS exam are:

Colombian citizens*
  • Original machine-readable or biometric passport
  • Citizenship Card (Cédula)
  • Biometric Identification Card (Tarjeta de identidad, for minors in Colombia)

*Under no circumstances will provisional identity cards (contraseña), alien identity cards (cédula de extranjería) or documents in process be accepted.

Foreign citizens Original machine-readable or biometric passport.

To ensure that your registration is approved in our system, you must correctly upload your identification document before the exam registration deadline, otherwise your exam will be transferred to the next available session and there will be no refunds.

How to scan your identity document?

Make sure you have a scanned copy in color of both sides of your identity document on hand. If you registered with your passport, you must upload the document as an open book, making sure that the image reflects the two pages: the one containing personal data and the next page.

The scanned file must meet the following characteristics:

Accepted formats JPEG, GIF o PNG
Maximum size for documents 1.3 MB
Maximum size for images 1600 x 1600 px

We cannot process incomplete registrations, so be sure to upload only your accepted document.  

If you have any problems uploading your identity document to our system according to the specifications described above, you can send it directly to servicioalcliente@britishcouncil.org.co.

2. A bank card to can pay through our online booking system.

Pay for your IELTS international English test only through our online registration system with the following credit cards:

  • American Express
  • Diners Club
  • JCB
  • MasterCard
  • Visa

You have up to 24 hours to make the payment, otherwise your application will be canceled (if it is the day of closing of registrations you must make the payment immediately).

Keep in mind that some banks may add a "bank commission for international purchases" to the price of the exam for purchases with a credit card.

After you have booked your test

After registering and your payment is approved you will receive:

  • An automated email with access to the exclusive Road to IELTS (Last minute version) online preparation course, which includes 100 interactive activities, 9 video tutorials and two IELTS Academic practice tests for each of the four skills.
  • An email with the confirmation of the start time of the two parts of the test (written and oral), and the address of the location where you will take them: This will be sent on the second business day after the last day of registration. You may receive this email in your spam folder.

Make sure to check your spam inbox.

More information about the test

Download and read our Information for Candidates to learn everything you need to know about the format, the different exam components and test results.

All exam formats are face-to-face. Our IELTS test fee includes exclusive preparation materials, free practice tests and much more.

Special requirements for IELTS candidates

We are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly and objectively, and that they are provided with the optimal conditions to take their English exams. If you have hearing, visual, speech or learning difficulties and have any special requirements for the day of your IELTS exam, we can help you.

IELTS Terms and Conditions

Find out more about the conditions that apply when book your exam to take the IELTS exam with the British Council.

See also