How To Apply For IELTS Exam In Nigeria And The Cost

If you want to study or work in a country where English is the medium of instruction, you must first take the IELTS exam.

If you are applying to study in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, or Canada where visa sponsorship is available, you must demonstrate your proficiency in English. However, some scholarships do not require IELTS, particularly for Nigerians.

In this post, we’ll go over the IELTS Exam in detail, including its structure, registration costs, and the step-by-step application process.

What is the IELTS Exam?

The International English Language Testing Scheme (IELTS) is a British Council initiative that tests and certifies English language proficiency in students from countries other than the United Kingdom (particularly non-English speaking countries).

The IELTS Exam is intended to help you achieve your goal of working, studying, or relocating to a country where English is spoken.

The exam, which is jointly funded by the British Council, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and the IDP – IELTS, provides non-native English speakers with the confidence and certification they need to succeed in the educational and job environments of the world’s top countries.

What are the types of IELTS Exams in Nigeria?

The IELTS Exam tests has two versions namely; IELTS Academic or General Training. IELTS Academic measures your level of English proficiency and tailors it to higher learning environments.

Whether you’re entering academia or continuing your education at the graduate level, this format ensures that tasks and texts are accessible to everyone, regardless of subject focus.

Many professions, including medical, nursing, accounting, and engineering, require an academic test result for registration across multiple countries. Meanwhile, IELTS General Training tests you on the practical and everyday aspects of English language proficiency.

The tasks and texts reflect real-life workplace scenarios and social interactions. This format is designed specifically for people traveling to English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience, or training programs. This version of the test serves as a useful gateway.

Furthermore, if you plan to migrate to English-speaking countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, or New Zealand, the General Training test is frequently required for a visa in order to ensure smooth transition.

How much is IELTS in Nigeria?

The cost of IELTS varies by country. The British Council earlier announced in March that Nigerians will have to pay a sum of N249,000 to N285,000 to register for the IELTS exam.

• IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules: ₦266,000*
• IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules: ₦256,500*

What are the Formats of IELTS Exams?

The IELTS Exam has four basic formats;

1. Speaking

In this section, you will be asked to answer general questions about yourself as well as other range of familiar topics, such as their home, family, work, studies and interests. The whole of this session lasts about 14 minutes.

2. Listening

This section tests your ability to understand the main ideas in a sentence, a passage, or a writeup.

You will be asked to listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers. You will then be asked to write your answers. A total of thirty (30) minutes will be allocated for this task

3. Reading

This section tests your ability to read and understand comprehension passages. You will be tested from authentic texts taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. The test usually lasts 60 minutes.

4. Writing

The writing format contains the General and the Academic Versions. You will be writing four essays altogether; two in each of the versions. For the academic versions;

You would be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. You would also be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

The General Training Version lets you write;

• On a situation presented before you and write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation.
• The last essay will be similar to the one in academic writing. You will also be asked write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Where are IELTS Test Centres in Nigeria?

IELTS Venues in Nigeria are many. The venues are spread across the geopolitical zones of the country. The IELTS exams centers are present in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Kano, Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Akure.

List of the IELTS Test Centres can be found HERE

How to Register for IELTS Exams Online?

Follow the procedures below to register and book your IELTS exam online;

• Visit the British Council website for Nigeria
• Click on “Take Exam” and then “Take Exam with British Council“
• Proceed to Book Your IELTS Test
• Next step is to select a test date and the particular test you intend to take
• Select also your preferred test centre- you may choose the nearest one to you
• If you don’t have an account with the British Council, you’d have to create one at this point
• You will then be directed to the payment gateway
• Make your payment and confirm your details
• You can also get preparatory materials (fees apply) before you finally submit

What Minimum Score is Required for IELTS?

The minimum pass score varies depending on the school or organization you are applying to. On average, a score of 6.0 out of a possible 9.0 is recommended.

Each of the four sections of the IELTS exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being the lowest. The average of the four sections is displayed as your final result.

Some schools and organizations, however, specify a minimum score for each of the speaking, writing, reading, and listening sections.

How To Pass IELTS Exam in Nigeria?

The IELTS exam is not difficult to pass. To get the best of results, you are advised to get the IELTS Exam preparatory materials.

Which Countries are exempted from IELTS?

Nigerian students must take the IELTS Exam if their school or organization in the UK requires it.

Nigerians applying to study in Canada, Australia, or the United States of America, on the other hand, are not required to take the IELTS or TOEFL exam because the US government has recognized the country, as well as many others not recognized by the UK government, as English-speaking.

The UK government has exempted the following countries from writing the IELTS:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA

Alternatives to IELTS

The Alternative English proficiency exams to the IELTS are;

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• The Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Pearson English Language test
• Cambridge English Assessment
• Duolingo
• The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
• SAT English Test
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)