IELTS Tests

Click here to book your IELTS test with Basil Paterson

 

Why choose Basil Paterson?

Basil Paterson is one of the largest open test venues in Scotland, offering IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer in Edinburgh. We also offer IELTS on paper in Aberdeen. All major rail/bus stations are just a 15 minute walk away from our central Edinburgh venue.

 

IMPORTANT: The following IELTS tests are offered by Basil Paterson:

  • IELTS Academic
  • IELTS General Training

Please note that Basil Paterson does not offer the following IELTS tests:

  • IELTS for UKVI (Academic)
  • IELTS for UKVI (General Training)
  • IELTS Life Skills

Please ask your organisation (university/immigration office) which IELTS test you need to take. You can also visit https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org for more information.

HOW TO APPLY:

STEP 1:

You must apply online for the correct test so check with your university or immigration office which IELTS test is needed for your application.

IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer 2024: The test fee for 2024 is £200. You can check our test dates current availability and apply online using the link below: 

https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org/orsnbc?organisation=BasilPatersonCollege

Basil Paterson accepts no responsibility for booking the correct IELTS test.

STEP 2:

After your application, you will need to pay the test fee. Payment can be made online at the end of the application process. Alternatively, you can pay over the phone on: 0131 243 9994. The test/exam office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00 (NB:  hours may vary).

STEP 3:

Please be aware that you MUST bring the same ID you used to register online on the IELTS test day.

IELTS only accepts 3 forms of ID:

  • Valid passport
  • ID card issued by an EU country
  • UK Biometric Residence Permit

Driving licences are not accepted.

You have 48 hours from applying to complete your registration with payment of the fee.

Registrations made within one week of the test date must be completed on the day of application.

March 2024 IELTS Dates

IELTS on Computer  IELTS on Paper
 02 March 09 March
 06 March 16 March
 09 March 23 March*
  16 March
 20 March
 23 March
 30 March

Academic and General Training
Academic only
*Edinburgh and Aberdeen Test Dates
Fee for all IELTS tests: £200

Our historic central Edinburgh premises are accessed by stairs from street level. If you require any form of special assistance to access our building in Edinburgh (e.g. a wheelchair ramp), please contact us at least one week before your test for this to be arranged.

The Information For Candidates booklet also contains useful advice on the format of the IELTS test, guidance on how to prepare and more.

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS is the most widely recognised English language qualification in the world. The test is particularly useful for those looking to demonstrate their English language ability for higher education, emigration, and employment (both in the UK and overseas). As one of the largest open test/exam centres in Scotland, Basil Paterson is the perfect place to take this important test of communicative English ability. We also offer a dedicated IELTS Preparation course all year round.

What to do and what not to do on test day:

  • Do practise for the test, familiarise yourself with the test formats, and build your skills.
  • Do double-check your spelling.
  • Do take the time to think about your answers before you begin to write or speak.
  • Do not write or speak too little – use your time to show off your English!
  • Do not use vocabulary or grammar you are unsure about.
  • Do not forget to bring your ID.

Accepted as evidence of English proficiency by over 9,000 institutions.

Organisations in over 140 countries rely on IELTS to select the right people. These include all universities and the vast majority of education providers in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, over 3,000 institutions in the US as well as most universities in Canada. Some universities in non-English speaking countries where English is the language of instruction also require an IELTS score. : https://www.ielts.org

Terms and Conditions – Cancellations and Refunds:

Cancellation

Cancellations must be requested either:

  1. Within 14 days of the test being paid or
  2. More than 5 weeks before the test date

There is a 25% admin fee for cancellations requested more than 5 weeks before the test date.

Please note that cancellations cannot be made within 24 hours of the test date.

If you require a transfer or cancellation for medical reasons, please contact us at ielts@basilpaterson.co.uk Please note that you may be asked to provide medical evidence.

To cancel your test date, please request a IELTS Refund+Transfer Form by e-mailing ielts@basilpaterson.co.uk

Change of Test Date

Transfers must be requested either:

  1. Within 14 days of the test being paid for or
  2. More than 5 weeks before the test date.

Please note that transfers cannot be made within 24 hours of the test date. Transfers can be made only once.

If you require a transfer or cancellation for medical reasons, please contact us at ielts@basilpaterson.co.uk Please note that you may be asked to provide medical evidence.

To change your test date, please request a IELTS Refund+Transfer Form by e-mailing ielts@basilpaterson.co.uk

Illness on the Test Day

Test takers who are absent on test day due to illness are eligible for a full refund or a transfer. Test takers must contact the centre, supply medical evidence and complete the relevant form within seven days of the test.

Results

How results are calculated: The Test Report Form provides your Overall Band Score and band scores for each of the four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

The Overall Band Score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. The section scores are weighted equally.

IELTS on paper results are released 13 days after the test date. IELTS on computer results are released 3-5 days after the test date. Test Report Forms are posted on this day to an address specified by the test taker. Results are posted by Royal Mail First Class, which takes 2-3 working days to arrive to UK addresses, and up to 2 weeks to arrive overseas. Results are also available to preview online. Test takers will be sent an email when results are released with instructions for access.

Each test taker is permitted to request up to 5 result certificates (TRFs) to be sent to various institutions for free. If a test taker wishes to send more than 5 copies, a charge of £20.00 per TRF applies.

You can apply and pay for for an Enquiry On Results (EOR) in your IELTS account quickly and conveniently. EOR applications must be received no more than 6 weeks after the test date.

Please note that there is a £110 fee for an EOR. This fee will be refunded if your score changes.

The outcome of your Enquiry of Result (EOR) can become available on the same day as your application and up to 21 days after your application. The turnaround time of your application will depend on several factors, including the number of sections requested for remark. Please contact us if you have not received a response after 21 days.

Test Takers with Special Needs

Test takers requiring special arrangements should contact the test centre at least three months before the test day to enable modified materials to be put in place. Please note that the test centre only requires six weeks’ notice for administrative arrangements; to find out what these arrangements are, please contact our test centre directly.

Examiners

How examiners are tested: IELTS Writing and Speaking assessments are carried out by trained and certificated examiners, all of whom are qualified and experienced English language specialists. The examiners work to clearly defined criteria and are subject to extensive and detailed quality control procedures.

Examiners are monitored by examiner trainers up to four times a year and at least once every two years. New examiners (and those who have not recently worked as IELTS examiners) are monitored at least three times in their first year. All examiners receive written feedback on their ratings and also on the delivery of the Speaking test. They may be required to take corrective action if any issues are raised about their performance.

Standardisation is completed at the centre and takes place as close as possible to the 2-yearly re-certification of the examiner. After the standardisation session, the examiners then complete a new certification set to demonstrate they can apply the assessment criteria accurately.

On Test Day

Test takers must bring the ID they used to register. The only other items allowed in the test room are: pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners and water in a transparent bottle with no labels. A locked room is provided for all other candidate belongings.

The Information for Candidates Booklet has lots of information on the test format and helpful tips.

Doors will open for the test at 08:30. The Listening, Reading and Writing sections will take place between 09:00 and 12:30 and Speaking sections will take place between 13:00 and 17:00.

There is no parking available for the duration of the test near our Edinburgh premises. The closest car parks are NCP Castle Terrace and Semple Street-https://www.yourparkingspace.co.uk/locations/show/4294930883.

There are numerous cafes and shops nearby for the purchase of refreshments.

Test takers for tests in Aberdeen will receive information regarding the venue of the test in a information email on the Monday before the test date, and may contact the centre for further information beforehand.

To make a complaint regarding an IELTS matter, please contact the centre. Complaints must be received before results are released. For further information regarding the British Council’s Global Complaint Procedure, please refer to their website:

https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/ielts-complaints-policy

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