IDP was broadly anticipated to be operational in China by the second half of 2025, but it surely stunned some test-takers by opening registration for the November 29-December 31 testing interval early.
In response to weblog posts in China, registration opened round November 25, with all of the take a look at slots till the top of the yr promoting out in a matter of days.
“Wasn’t it initially stated that it might formally enter the mainland within the second half of 2025? How come registration is now on-line?” one blogger posted.
Whereas there isn’t a distinction between this take a look at and the IELTS take a look at already delivered in China by the British Council, take a look at takers can now register for and take the take a look at by means of IDP Schooling.
Each organisations – which personal an equal one-third share of the IELTS take a look at together with Cambridge English – provide the take a look at at an equal price of 2170 RMB, or roughly USD$298.
Not like the British Council’s IELTS and TOEFL (owned by ETS) the place take a look at takers are offloaded to China’s Nationwide Schooling Examinations Authority for registration and cost, IDP manages these by itself platform, indicating a extra seamless association with NEEA, in accordance with SELT knowledgeable Michael Goodine.
This enables take a look at takers to register for the IDP examination earlier than offering cost, which has been properly acquired by on-line commentators – who’ve additionally welcomed the power to reschedule the take a look at as soon as at no cost.
IDP testing is at present out there in 14 cities in 10 provinces throughout mainland China together with Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, and Sichuan.
Not like British Council take a look at centres, which give the choice of taking a paper or pc take a look at, IDP solely presents computer-based checks, with all sections of the take a look at for essentially the most half accomplished in in the future and the choice to retake one part of the take a look at anticipated sooner or later.
“The general response appears extraordinarily optimistic,” wrote Goodine: “Tutoring centre workers I’ve talked to report that they’ve already despatched dozens of scholars to register for an IDP-administered IELTS… I feel this can be a huge win for that agency.”
“I feel that is excellent news for Chinese language college students as this supplies extra choices to them … at present they’ll solely attend the IELTS take a look at in main cities or provinces, which they discover expensive to journey,” director of pupil companies at Uoffer International informed The PIE Information.
“One other spotlight is that it permits flexibility. Some Chinese language college students may really feel unprepared when it comes nearer to the examination date or have a sudden change of schedule. The free reschedule permits higher flexibility and allows them to be properly ready for the examination.”
The general response appears extraordinarily optimistic
Michael Goodine, Take a look at Sources
Up till now, IDP has held an settlement with the British Council, which has traditionally been liable for all facets of selling and distribution of the take a look at in China, with IDP receiving a royalty price paid on a per-test foundation.
Its current growth has given IDP direct entry to the IELTS market in China, valued at $380m, making up 40% of the $1bn international IELTS market.
A report by Morgan Stanley estimated that IDP was planning to outsource its testing community to a “respected operator with an already well-established geographic presence”, although it’s but to be disclosed which operator IDP has partnered with.
In response to the report, it’s predicted that IDP may have a 40% share of IELTS in China by 2028, growing the corporate’s earnings by a mean of 5% from 2026-2028.
Specialists have warned that the elevated competitors may have a major impression on British Council’s market share in China, which at present represents about 50% of all IELTS testing administered by the British Council.
IDP has not but launched its take a look at schedule for the brand new yr, with British Council-administered checks out there to guide on-line. In response to Chinese language test-takers, the British Council normally requires take a look at registration two months upfront, whereas IDP is known to have a extra versatile examination schedule.
Thanks for taking the time to learn this text! I hope you discovered the data insightful and useful. In the event you loved any such content material, please contemplate subscribing to our publication or becoming a member of our group. We’d like to have you ever! Be at liberty to share this text together with your family and friends, who may additionally discover it fascinating.
Experienced writer and academic Isha Kamboj joins our team, sharing her expertise in education and training. With a post-graduate degree in Media Communication, she offers valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in the field. Exciting addition to our website’s content.