Book IELTS exam: dates, fees and locations in Colombia

1. Test schedule / timings

Your Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of the test will be completed on the same day with no break in between. Currently, we are running tests in the morning and in the afternoon. 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. 

If you take IELTS Online, the Speaking test will usually be before your Listening, Reading and Writing. It could be on the same or a different day.

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, 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.

2. Underage test-takers

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

• Make the IELTS test registration on your behalf.
• Complete and sign the forms IELTS Minor Consent Form y Consentimiento para la salida de las instalaciones sin acompañamiento de adulto.

*IELTS is not recommended for anyone under 16.  

If you’re not officially a resident in Colombia, you will not be able to sit an IELTS on paper test. However, you can still take the test on computer so please do choose that option.  

Already booked an IELTS on Paper test and you do not hold Colombian nationality?  

• If you booked your test before 21 January 2025, you will not need to show proof of residence. 
• If you booked your test after 21 January 2025, you will need to show proof of residence by email at least three days before your test date. 

Acceptable proof of residence includes 

1.Foreigner's Identity Card – valid on the date of the exam. 

Please note that candidates must also have a passport valid on the date of the exam in order to present it.

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:

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:

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 registering and your payment is approved you will receive:

• your access to the free online preparation resource: IELTS Ready: Premium.
• 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.

The use of face masks is no longer mandatory; However, its use is recommended for people with morbidities, active respiratory symptoms, not vaccinated, or voluntarily if considered necessary (apply to our staff). Please note that you will need to remove any masks at check-in and during the interview. 

If at the time of receiving this message you have symptoms or suspect contact with a positive Covid-19 patient and consider not being able to attend the test, you must contact us immediately, present a positive PCR laboratory test and wait for our contact with the process to follow. 

Being positive for COVID-19 is not a reason for return.

Any other medical or personal case will be analyzed and evaluated according to the cancellation and date change policy.