MTS is a leading IELTS test centre in the UK and Ireland.
Book your IELTS test at MTS test centres across the UK and Ireland.
Test taker review
“I am incredibly pleased with the service provided by MTS. From start to finish, the process was seamless, and the team displayed exceptional professionalism. I highly recommend MTS for their outstanding service and dedication. Thank you for making this experience stress-free and enjoyable!”
— Zena, IELTS test taker
The online application process has two stages.
Register for your IELTS test on the MTS portal of the British Council website. Once you have done this, you will receive a British Council Reference Number. Note that you cannot re-use a reference number from a previous test.
Register nowPay for your IELTS test within 24 hours of registering. You will need to have registered on the MTS portal of the British Council website and have your British Council Reference Number to complete your booking and payment.
Pay nowIf you need special arrangements for the test, you will need to let us know in good time and provide supporting evidence. Once we receive and assess your evidence we will be able to confirm the test date and ask you for additional documents if necessary.
Please note that we cannot guarantee your preferred test date / venue, although we always try to accommodate our candidates’ preferences. If you require a modified version of the IELTS exam materials, you must give us three months’ notice. If you require special arrangements, such as extra time, you must give us six weeks’ notice.
Cancellations and transfers follow different rules — here’s what applies and how to request each.
If you have purchased an IELTS test from MTS that takes place in more than two weeks’ time, you have a 14 day period from the date of payment (the “cooling off period”) within which you can cancel your test and receive a full refund.
Once the 14 day period from the date of payment has passed, you can request to cancel your test but the refund will be subject to a £75 administration fee.
If there are 14 days or less until the date of your IELTS test, you can request to cancel your test but the refund will be subject to a £75 administration fee. The cooling off period does not apply, as some of our administrative processes begin 14 days prior to the test, such as scheduling test day staff, booking venues, and registering your documents.
No refund can be offered if you request to cancel less than 1 day before your test date.
You can always transfer your test to a different test date at any time, for free. There is no admin fee for rescheduling your test date.
No transfer can be offered if you request to cancel or transfer less than 1 day before your test date.
If you are unable to attend your test or are disadvantaged on test day owing to exceptional events outside your control, you can apply for special consideration. You can apply for special consideration before the test, and up to two calendar days after the test date. If your application for special consideration is successful, you can cancel your test and receive a refund, or transfer your test to a different day. In some circumstances, the refund or transfer may be subject to a £75 administration fee.
When and how you’ll get your results — and what to do if something went wrong on test day or you want to appeal.
You will receive your IELTS on Computer results in 1 to 5 days. You will be able to log into your Test Taker Portal to view your results and access an electronic version of your Test Report Form. The electronic Test Report Form (eTRF) is a PDF document that can be downloaded locally and shared or printed as many times as you like.
If you wish to make a complaint relating to your test day, please raise the complaint on test day with a staff member and fill in the complaint form. You must submit a complaint on the day of your test. Complaints cannot be accepted after midnight on test day.
If your complaint is upheld, you will receive a refund or the opportunity to transfer your test to a different day. In some circumstances, there may be a £75 administration charge.
If you think your test results are wrong and want to appeal, you will need to follow the Enquiry on Results procedure. The fee for Enquiry on Results is £190.
To have one or more components of your test re-marked, please complete the Enquiry on Results form within six weeks of your test date.
Once we receive your form and payment, we will send the appropriate test materials to the British Council to be re-marked.
The British Council will inform us of their decision within 21 days, we will then tell you the outcome of your appeal.
If your score changes:
If your score does not change:
The Listening and Reading sections must be done on computer, but you have the option to take the Writing section on paper.
If you choose Writing on Paper you can complete the Writing component of the test with a pen and paper. During the test, you will sit at a computer desk and work your way through the Listening and Reading sections of the test on computer. When you come to the Writing section you will see your tasks on screen, but you will be provided with an answer sheet and a pen to complete your responses.
Just choose IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper when you come to register for your IELTS test.
You may need special arrangements because you have visual, hearing, speaking or learning difficulties. You may need accommodations if you are pregnant. We will try hard to accommodate you at your preferred test venue, but if we cannot meet your requirements there, you may need to travel to another one of our venues where we can accommodate you.
Special arrangements include:
You will need to let us know about any special arrangements at least six weeks prior to your IELTS test.
You will need to provide medical evidence to support your claim. The medical report should be written in English, should be dated within two years before your test date by a medical professional, and needs to be provided six weeks prior to the test. Send by email to: ielts@mtsglobal.uk.com.
Your English language ability will be assessed objectively, regardless of any disability or special needs that you may have.
You should speak to the institution that has requested you take an IELTS test and ask which one they require.
As a broad guideline:
The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training.
The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
You should speak to the institution that has requested you take an IELTS test and ask which one they require.
As a broad guideline:
If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to study, work, or live in the UK, you may need to take IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills. IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills are both Secure English Language Tests (SELT) approved by the UK Home Office for visa applications to the UK.
You can take a standard IELTS test if you are a student applying to a university for a degree-level course or if you are going to work for a professional organisation in an English-speaking country, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council or the General Medical Council.
If you have already booked a standard IELTS test with MTS and you now realise that you need an IELTS for UKVI test, please contact us on ielts@mtsglobal.uk.com or 020 3827 0600 so that we can assist you.
Unfortunately, if you arrive late for registration you will not be permitted to take the test and you will lose your test fee.
If you are unable to attend your test or are disadvantaged on test day owing to exceptional events outside your control, you can apply for special consideration.
You can apply for special consideration before the test, and up to two calendar days after the test date.
In some circumstances, the refund or transfer may be subject to a £75 administration fee.
Once your application for special consideration has been sent, you have up to 7 working days to provide appropriate written evidence in support of your application, e.g. a medical certificate, social worker declaration, or police report.
On your application form, you can request up to five copies of your test results to be sent to educational institutions, government bodies or an employer at no extra cost. You should provide the relevant addresses on your IELTS test registration form.
If you have already taken your test and would like to request additional copies of your Test Report Form, fill in the form below. You can request additional copies of your Test Report Form for up to two years after you took the test.
On the day of the IELTS test, you must present one of the following:
The ID document must be the same document you used when you registered for your IELTS test.
We cannot accept photocopies or photographs of documents, even if they are certified copies from a solicitor, or letters from the Home Office.
Note that a driving licence is not an acceptable form of ID.
Unfortunately, eVisas cannot yet be accepted as ID to sit your IELTS test.
If you have an expired BRP or BRC card, these can still be used until 31 December 2026. Your test must be no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card. You must bring your expired BRP or BRC with you on the day of the test.
You will not be able to sit your exam without a valid original ID. If you turn up on the day of the IELTS without the ID document you used when you registered for your IELTS test, you will not be entitled to a refund.
Your ID will be photographed on test day.
If you do not have your original ID on the day of the exam, you will not be allowed to sit the test.
If you have sent your ID to the Home Office, you should contact them and request to have it returned to you for the exam day. Alternatively, you should delay your test date till you have your passport returned.
MTS is not able to make or accept certified copies of your ID.
Yes, you can and you are welcome to book with us.
However, your parent or legal guardian must book the test on your behalf and they will need to consent to the IELTS test terms and conditions, which include giving us permission to take your photo and finger scan during the registration process on exam day.
Note that we provide a chaperone to accompany you during the Speaking test.
As the test day photo and finger scan are an integral part of the identity verification process for the IELTS exam, every candidate, including under-18s, must be photographed.
If you have a cold, flu or covid on test day, you must wear a face mask and wash your hands or use hand sanitiser. You do not need to tell us in advance about your illness.
For IELTS on Computer, you will receive your results in 1 to 5 days. You will be able to log into your Test Taker Portal to view your results and access an electronic version of your Test Report Form. The electronic Test Report Form (eTRF) is a PDF document that can be downloaded locally and shared or printed as many times as you like.
If you wish to make a complaint relating to your test day, please raise the complaint on test day with a staff member and fill in the complaint form. You must submit a complaint on the day of your test. Complaints cannot be accepted after midnight on test day.
If your complaint is upheld, you will receive a refund or the opportunity to transfer your test to a different day. In some circumstances, there may be a £75 administration charge.
To submit a complaint, please send an email to ielts@mtsglobal.uk.com.
If you didn't get the band score you needed in one section of the IELTS on Computer test, then you can book a One Skill Retake. One Skill Retake allows you to resit a single section of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking.
You will be issued a new Test Report Form with the results of the One Skill Retake as well as the results for the other three skills from the original test you took. You can then choose whether to use the original Test Report Form, or the new one. You can book One Skill Retake on your Test Taker Portal. You can only take One Skill Retake once for each full IELTS test you do.
One Skill Retake allows you to resit a single section of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. You try and improve a single band score that was too low. You can also retake your strongest skill in order to try and improve your overall average band score.
You must sit IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test date. One Skill Retake costs £250 with MTS. You can sit your One Skill Retake at any of our IELTS on Computer test centres, as long as it is in the same country as where you sat your original test.
Note that you can only do One Skill Retake if you sat an IELTS on Computer test. One Skill Retake does not apply to IELTS on Paper.
Note that the ID document you bring to the One Skill Retake must be the same one you used for the original IELTS test and it must be valid. If your ID expires after the initial test, you won't be eligible to book the IELTS One Skill Retake. To avoid any inconvenience, please ensure to schedule and take your IELTS One Skill Retake before your ID expires.
Login into your Test Taker Portal and view your results. Click the 'Retake' button for the skill you wish to retake. Select the date for your One Skill Retake (within 60 days of your original test date) and book your preferred session. Pay for your One Skill Retake test.
You cannot bring your watch and mobile phone into the test room. You will need to leave your mobile phone turned off in the secure storage area provided.
You may not wear a jacket or coat in the test room. If the weather is cold, please ensure that you wear a warm jumper. Hoodies can be worn, but the hood must be kept down at all times.
If you bring a drink, it must be water in a clear plastic bottle with no label. Note that you cannot take the water bottle into the Speaking test.
You cannot bring any stationery to your test. Pens and paper will be provided by MTS.
Please note, MTS cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage to candidates' possessions.
If you think your test results are wrong and want to appeal, you will need to follow the Enquiry on Results procedure. The fee for Enquiry on Results is £190.
To have one or more components of your test re-marked, please complete the Enquiry on Results form within six weeks of your test date.
Once we receive your form and payment, we will send the appropriate test materials to the British Council to be re-marked.
The British Council will inform us of their decision within 21 days, we will then tell you the outcome of your appeal.
If your score changes as a result of the re-marking:
If your score does not change as a result of the re-marking:
The Listening and Reading sections must be done on computer, but you have the option to take the Writing section on paper.
If you choose Writing on Paper you can complete the Writing component of the test with a pen and paper. During the test, you will sit at a computer desk and work your way through the Listening and Reading sections of the test on computer. When you come to the Writing section you will see your tasks on screen, but you will be provided with an answer sheet and a pen to complete your responses.
Just choose IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper when you come to register for your IELTS test.
You should speak to the institution that has requested you take an IELTS test and ask which one they require.
As a broad guideline:
The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training.
The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
Unfortunately, if you arrive late for registration you will not be permitted to take the test and you will lose your test fee.
If you are unable to attend your test or are disadvantaged on test day owing to exceptional events outside your control, you can apply for special consideration.
You can apply for special consideration before the test, and up to two calendar days after the test date.
In some circumstances, the refund or transfer may be subject to a £75 administration fee.
Once your application for special consideration has been sent, you have up to 7 working days to provide appropriate written evidence in support of your application, e.g. a medical certificate, social worker declaration, or police report.
On the day of the IELTS test, you must present one of the following:
The ID document must be the same document you used when you registered for your IELTS test.
We cannot accept photocopies or photographs of documents, even if they are certified copies from a solicitor, or letters from the Home Office.
Note that a driving licence is not an acceptable form of ID.
Unfortunately, eVisas cannot yet be accepted as ID to sit your IELTS test.
If you have an expired BRP or BRC card, these can still be used until 31 December 2026. Your test must be no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card. You must bring your expired BRP or BRC with you on the day of the test.
You will not be able to sit your exam without a valid original ID. If you turn up on the day of the IELTS without the ID document you used when you registered for your IELTS test, you will not be entitled to a refund.
Your ID will be photographed on test day.
Yes, you can and you are welcome to book with us.
However, your parent or legal guardian must book the test on your behalf and they will need to consent to the IELTS test terms and conditions, which include giving us permission to take your photo and finger scan during the registration process on exam day.
Note that we provide a chaperone to accompany you during the Speaking test.
If you have a cold, flu or covid on test day, you must wear a face mask and wash your hands or use hand sanitiser. You do not need to tell us in advance about your illness.
If you wish to make a complaint relating to your test day, please raise the complaint on test day with a staff member and fill in the complaint form. You must submit a complaint on the day of your test. Complaints cannot be accepted after midnight on test day.
If your complaint is upheld, you will receive a refund or the opportunity to transfer your test to a different day. In some circumstances, there may be a £75 administration charge.
To submit a complaint, please send an email to ielts@mtsglobal.uk.com.
One Skill Retake allows you to resit a single section of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. You try and improve a single band score that was too low. You can also retake your strongest skill in order to try and improve your overall average band score.
You must sit IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test date. One Skill Retake costs £250 with MTS. You can sit your One Skill Retake at any of our IELTS on Computer test centres, as long as it is in the same country as where you sat your original test.
Note that you can only do One Skill Retake if you sat an IELTS on Computer test. One Skill Retake does not apply to IELTS on Paper.
Note that the ID document you bring to the One Skill Retake must be the same one you used for the original IELTS test and it must be valid. If your ID expires after the initial test, you won't be eligible to book the IELTS One Skill Retake. To avoid any inconvenience, please ensure to schedule and take your IELTS One Skill Retake before your ID expires.
You cannot bring your watch and mobile phone into the test room. You will need to leave your mobile phone turned off in the secure storage area provided.
You may not wear a jacket or coat in the test room. If the weather is cold, please ensure that you wear a warm jumper. Hoodies can be worn, but the hood must be kept down at all times.
If you bring a drink, it must be water in a clear plastic bottle with no label. Note that you cannot take the water bottle into the Speaking test.
You cannot bring any stationery to your test. Pens and paper will be provided by MTS.
Please note, MTS cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage to candidates' possessions.
You may need special arrangements because you have visual, hearing, speaking or learning difficulties. You may need accommodations if you are pregnant. We will try hard to accommodate you at your preferred test venue, but if we cannot meet your requirements there, you may need to travel to another one of our venues where we can accommodate you.
Special arrangements include:
You will need to let us know about any special arrangements at least six weeks prior to your IELTS test.
You will need to provide medical evidence to support your claim. The medical report should be written in English, should be dated within two years before your test date by a medical professional, and needs to be provided six weeks prior to the test. Send by email to: ielts@mtsglobal.uk.com.
Your English language ability will be assessed objectively, regardless of any disability or special needs that you may have.
You should speak to the institution that has requested you take an IELTS test and ask which one they require.
As a broad guideline:
If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to study, work, or live in the UK, you may need to take IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills. IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills are both Secure English Language Tests (SELT) approved by the UK Home Office for visa applications to the UK.
You can take a standard IELTS test if you are a student applying to a university for a degree-level course or if you are going to work for a professional organisation in an English-speaking country, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council or the General Medical Council.
If you have already booked a standard IELTS test with MTS and you now realise that you need an IELTS for UKVI test, please contact us on ielts@mtsglobal.uk.com or 020 3827 0600 so that we can assist you.
On your application form, you can request up to five copies of your test results to be sent to educational institutions, government bodies or an employer at no extra cost. You should provide the relevant addresses on your IELTS test registration form.
If you have already taken your test and would like to request additional copies of your Test Report Form, fill in the form below. You can request additional copies of your Test Report Form for up to two years after you took the test.
If you do not have your original ID on the day of the exam, you will not be allowed to sit the test.
If you have sent your ID to the Home Office, you should contact them and request to have it returned to you for the exam day. Alternatively, you should delay your test date till you have your passport returned.
MTS is not able to make or accept certified copies of your ID.
As the test day photo and finger scan are an integral part of the identity verification process for the IELTS exam, every candidate, including under-18s, must be photographed.
For IELTS on Computer, you will receive your results in 1 to 5 days. You will be able to log into your Test Taker Portal to view your results and access an electronic version of your Test Report Form. The electronic Test Report Form (eTRF) is a PDF document that can be downloaded locally and shared or printed as many times as you like.
If you didn't get the band score you needed in one section of the IELTS on Computer test, then you can book a One Skill Retake. One Skill Retake allows you to resit a single section of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking.
You will be issued a new Test Report Form with the results of the One Skill Retake as well as the results for the other three skills from the original test you took. You can then choose whether to use the original Test Report Form, or the new one. You can book One Skill Retake on your Test Taker Portal. You can only take One Skill Retake once for each full IELTS test you do.
Login into your Test Taker Portal and view your results. Click the 'Retake' button for the skill you wish to retake. Select the date for your One Skill Retake (within 60 days of your original test date) and book your preferred session. Pay for your One Skill Retake test.
If you think your test results are wrong and want to appeal, you will need to follow the Enquiry on Results procedure. The fee for Enquiry on Results is £190.
To have one or more components of your test re-marked, please complete the Enquiry on Results form within six weeks of your test date.
Once we receive your form and payment, we will send the appropriate test materials to the British Council to be re-marked.
The British Council will inform us of their decision within 21 days, we will then tell you the outcome of your appeal.
If your score changes as a result of the re-marking:
If your score does not change as a result of the re-marking: