This post is a rewrite – after what you’ve already guessed…a change of mind.
In 2024, I wrote up this post and my go-to place for IELTS was the British Council as I had very good experiences with it. Even though my experience with BC has not changed, my impression of IDP has. And I will from now on advise my clients to choose IDP if they can.
Some of the information in this post is still valid and I still hold my opinion on the info on the websites of BC and IDP. But there are more factors to look at now.
This article is based on my own and my clients’ experience. Ultimately, the choice is yours. I am here to give my opinion.
Straightforward IELTS information
I find BC provides more straightforward information than IDP – this is the main reason I initially chose BC for my exams.
The content of the exams at both organizations is the same (or at least, supposed to be the same). However, when reading information about the exam on both IDP’s and BC’s websites, I found BC’s instructions for writing and speaking less fear-mongering and more focused on the overall level of candidates’ English proficiency.
However, IDP’s website contains information about words that are considered “bad” for your writing, such as “nowadays”, which I believe is misleading. Reading that info, I felt like if I used “nowadays” even just once in my writing, it would be automatically considered “not good”. How is it a bad essay if the rest is superb but the first word is “nowadays”? Shouldn’t my essay assessed based on the overall level of my English throughout that essay? I am not saying that is what IDP meant when they put out this info. But I’m wondering if it is necessary.
IELTS Writing Task 2 simplified
In some countries like Australia, you can only take the exam at IDP so you may fear using “nowadays” in your writing because it is marked as “bad” on the website of IDP. But IELTS is one exam. Shouldn’t the assessing criteria be consistent across all managing agencies?
This is also one of the reasons it is so frustrating when it comes to preparation because available information is not consistent even among the organizations overlooking IELTS.
Materials provided
Even though both BC and IDP hold excellent credibility because they are co-managers of IELTS, the preparation materials provided by both of these institutions for test-takers after they have booked exams with them are underwhelming. I have spent time taking a look at both materials and found they do not accurately represent the actual IELTS exams.
It is not to say that those materials are not credible and useless. You can still use them to practice but make sure you are aware of the actual format of the IELTS exam to avoid being shocked.
Exam organization and results
The organization of the exam day was excellent at both BC and IDP. I am aware that the facilities vary among countries and test centers. The ones I have taken IELTS at in Qatar and Vietnam had excellent facilities. Everything was smooth and convenient.
The results, however, are not consistent. While I have always been happy with my results from BC, many of my clients thought differently. Those who took IELTS with IDP were generally happier with their results.
This shouldn’t be the case because the grading system of IELTS should be exactly the same regardless of the place you take it.
But at the end of the day, the result is the most important thing so you should do whatever you are asked to do to get the result you want. This is the main reason I am now suggesting my clients to go with IDP.
For myself, I don’t think it will matter much. When my results expire, I will take IELTS again at both BC and IDP. Even if one score is higher than the other, I still believe that there’s more than just my English in IELTS.
What should you do?
Before we get better information, here’s my suggestion.
– If you are going to take IELTS at BC, follow BC’s instructions.
– If you are going to take IELTS at IDP, follow IDP’s instructions. So if IDP doesn’t want you to use “nowadays”, you have no other option but to avoid it.
But keep in mind that nothing can beat practice. No matter what words you use, you should look at the overall level of your English in the writing. The high scores depend more on topic-related vocabulary and grammar, not only “nowadays” and “firstly”.
(A client of mine took IELTS with IDP in 2025 and used ‘nowadays’ in this writing. He got 8.5 IELTS Writing, and 9.0 overall.)
Take Your IELTS Preparation to the Next Level!
✅ Practice for FREE: Access free IELTS listening tests and other practice materials to sharpen your skills.
- 📚 Get Expert Help: Join our IELTS preparation services to receive personalized guidance and study plans.
Responses