How to Book IELTS exam: Actual Step-by-Step Guide

Are you planning to take the IELTS test but feeling overwhelmed by the booking process? You’re not alone! Many test takers in Myanmar feel confused about which test to take, where to book it, and how to complete the payment. This blog post will break down everything you need to know about booking your IELTS test confidently and easily.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely recognized English proficiency tests in the world. It’s accepted by universities, employers, and immigration offices in over 140 countries and is designed to assess your English skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

Despite its global reputation, many test-takers in Myanmar face challenges when booking their IELTS test. Common issues include:

• Uncertainty about payment options and how to choose a test center.

• Difficulty understanding the differences between test types like Academic, General Training, and UKVI.

• Anxiety about what to expect on the actual test day.

So, lets solve the first problem - choosing a test center. 

Step 1. Choosing a test center 

There are two test centers in Myanmar and most choose British Council. 

1. British Council

You can book via British Council

Yangon Address 1: Junction City Office Tower - 3(A), Corner of 27th Street and Bogyoke Road, Yangon
Tests Offered: IELTS Academic and General Training

Yangon Address 2: Prime Hill Business Square - 60, Corner of Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rd and Nawaday Rd, Dagon Township, Yangon
Tests Offered: IELTS Academic, General Training, and UKVI

Mandalay Address 1: Strategy First University - Block 4, Unit 3, 73 Road, Mingalar Mandalay, Chan Mya Thar Si Township, Mandalay
Tests Offered: IELTS Academic and General Training

Mandalay Address 2: ibis Styles Mandalay Centre Hotel - No.151, Corner of 54th & 55th Streets, Kankauk Quarter, Chan Aye Thar San Township, Mandalay
Tests Offered: IELTS Academic and General Training

2. Chindwin-PSB Institute – IDP IELTS Test Centre

You can book via IDP IELTS Myanmar

Yangon Address: First Floor, Sinmalite Business Tower, Corner of Kyimyindaing Kanner Road, Kamayut Township, Yangon
Tests Offered: IELTS Academic and General Training (Computer-delivered)

This article will guide you step-by-step, how to book on British Council Myanmar's website as an example to make your booking stress-free!

Step 2. Go to British Council Website

Start from here: https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org/

If you go to British Council website, you will see Choose your IELTS test and wonder which one you have to choose. 

So, Which one should you choose? 

Since this blog is to help students who want to pursue degrees in other countries, we will choose IELTS Academic (P.S - if you are going to study in UK -> choose IELTS for UK Visas).

After you clicked on IELTS Academic, you will get to this page: Choose your test

If you want to take IELTS exam in a test center -> Click Book IELTS in a test centre.

If you want to take IELTS exam at home -> Click Book IELTS online (you need to be older than 18 years old, and have an excellent internet connection to make sure your exam process goes through smoothly) 

If you click Book IELTS in a test centre, you will see the next page - Find a test as an example below. 

Write down the country where you will take your test. For example, if you are going to sit for IELTS in Myanmar, write down "Myanmar" and click enter. 

After you choose the country, choose the city of your preference. 

For example, if you will sit for IELTS exam in Yangon, Myanmar. Choose Yangon and click enter. Then, you will see these two: IELTS on Computer and IELTS on paper. 

Then, you will get to this following page.

Don't forget to "tick" the box if you have accessibility needs to sit for an exam. Special arrangements include:

• Braille question papers
• Enlarged print question papers
• Scribe and Reader
• Assistive technology
• Modified Listening CD
• Hearing impaired version
• Exemptions

if not, you can skip ahead.

You will see this message - Which format IELTS test would you like to take? and IELTS on computer and IELTS on paper. So, let me explain the differences between the two.

 Choose the type of test you want.

A bolded date means the exam date can be booked, while the faded-out date means that date cannot be chosen. Choose the date that will be most suitable for you and click "Search for tests". 

Carefully choose and check the date and time before you book for your exam. After you have chosen the date and time for your L,R,W test, don't forget to double check the date and time of your speaking test - P.S You can change the time of the speaking test by clicking on "Change Speaking Schedule" but if you are fine by the given time then you can just click "Book Test".

After that, you will get to this page and create an account. You will need an email account to continue. 

3. Create an Account

Step 1: Register an account

You will get to the webpage to register your account.

1. You will need to fill in your email address

2. You will need to set up your password. The password must include - 10 or more characters, lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers and special characters.

3. Fill in your birthday. 

4. Tick "I agree to the account registration"

5. Click "Register for an account"

After that, British Council will send a verification code to your email and copy the code from the email and paste it to activate your account. 

Then, click Complete registration. 

Step 1: Personal Details

After that, you will get to Personal Details page. 

1. Tick Myself

2. Fill in your First Name 

3.  If you don't have a family name/surname, tick I don’t have a surname / family name

4. Fill in Date of birth

5. Fill in your Sex 

6. Tick I agree to receive notifications

7. Then, start filling in your address - your home number and street name.

8. City - your city name.

9. Postcode - Postal code number. In order to know your postcode, you can just type in your "township name + postcode" in google, you can see the code in google.

Choose one of the three given marketing preferences and then, click "Save and continue"

Step 2. Identification Details

There are two identification types you can choose Passport or ID Card. Remember you will be required to bring the same identification document you are using for registration on the test day.

Look at your passport or ID card and fill in the following

• Identity card number
• Identity card expiry date
• Issuing authority
• What is your country / territory of nationality?

Click Save and continue. You will see Please check your identity card before you continue box and make sure your information is correct. If it is, click "I confirm these details are correct".

Step 3 : Your Profile 

This section is just british council wanting to know more about their test takers. Just fill in the following information that they asked and click Save and continue.

Step 4 : Review

You will see all the information regarding the test schedule, your personal information. If your information are correct, you can start paying for your exam fees now. 

Tick I agree to the IELTS terms and conditions.

Click Offline Payment.

FINALLY, you will get to this page -> Booking Complete.

Scroll on that page and you will see your exam information and how to pay for your IELTS exam. If you are in Myanmar, you can only pay via AYA Bank. 

Payment Methods:

1. AYA mBanking (Mobile App)
2. AYA iBanking (Webpage): https://www.ayaibanking.com/
3. Over the counter (OTC): Payments must be made ONLY at AYA Bank branches and AYA Bank payment platform. If you do not have AYA Bank account, you can make payment at any branches of AYA Bank. You will need to provide your reference number, name and contact number.
   
   Log-in instructions for both AYA mbanking and ibanking,
   • Log on using your Username and Password.
   • After logging in, choose Bill Payment.
   • Select debit/credit account and choose British Council in corporation field and select Exams Services.
   • Fill in the Payment Reference Number. Your reference number is a 15-digit number that starts with A3-BU001-S-XXXXXXX.
   • Fill in your Name and Contact Mobile Number.

Payment Confirmation 

After paying for IELTS exam, do not forget to confirm your payment 

You will be required to upload a copy of proof of payment (such as remittance advice, bank deposit slip, bank receipt, etc.) through your Test Taker Portal or via sending email to British Council. 

FYI, Your proof of payment must clearly show:

• the payee name
• the payee account number
• the amount paid
• the date it was paid
• the British Council account number

Uploading your payment proof via Test Taker Portal

Attach your payment proof by clicking Upload payment proof on test taker portal.

Click Choose a file (photo or screenshot of your payment proof) and then, Save your files. 

Uploading your payment proof via Email

Sending your payment slip including your reference number in the body text via Email - mmieltsadmin@mm.britishcouncil.org (This email is to contact British Council Myanmar).

Your payment will be confirmed within 2 days from your registration date.

Please be informed in advance that all the payments transferring on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will only be confirmed on Monday, and the payment confirmations also will not be able to process on Public Holidays.

Cancelling your IELTS test

There are so many circumstances that can cause you to cancel your IELTS exam, and we understand. So, in order to cancel or change your IELTS exam date, you can do following things 

1. Your test will auto-cancel if you do not pay for your IELTS test by bank transfer or mobile banking within 3 days from the date of registration.

2. Cancelling after your payment - you may need to notify your test center as soon as possible to inform them of your decision to cancel your test or change your test date. 

• British Council Myanmar Phone: (+95)9 9400 700 99
• British Council Myanmar E-mail Address: mmieltsadmin@mm.britishcouncil.org

See more about their transfer and cancellation policy here: Transfer & Cancellation Policy

This is the whole process on how to book IELTS exam on British Council website. We hope this blog can help you in your education journey.