IELTS Exam Fee in United States (2026): Full Price Table
In short
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test in United States costs US$280–US$340 (varies by test centre) (about US$280–340) as of July 2026, at both British Council (IELTS USA) & IDP. Fees are set locally and change over time, so confirm the current amount on the official booking page before you pay.
IELTS fees in United States by test type
| Test type | Fee (USD ($)) |
|---|---|
| Academic / General Training | US$280–US$340 (varies by test centre) · about US$280–340 |
| IELTS for UKVI | US$305 |
| IELTS Life Skills | US$195 |
Test providers
British Council (IELTS USA) & IDP
Delivery
Computer & paper
One Skill Retake
Not available
Results
3–5 days (computer), ~13 days (paper)
Widely available in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Boston, Washington DC, Miami.
Always confirm the current fee
IELTS in the USA is delivered through a network of independent centres managed by IELTS USA, plus IDP, so the standard fee is not a single national figure — it runs roughly US$280–340 depending on the city and centre. Prices are set locally and can change, so confirm the exact fee on the official booking page. Note that One Skill Retake is not offered in the USA. IELTS fees are set locally by the British Council and IDP and can change, so the figures above (verified July 2026) are a guide — the only reliable amount is the one shown on the official booking page for your test type on the day you book.
The cheapest test is the one you sit once
Whatever the fee, it buys one attempt — so the smartest money is spent walking in already at your target band. Work out the exact section scores you need, then close the gap before test day rather than paying to sit again. And if you fall half a band short in a single skill on a computer-delivered test, the One Skill Retake is usually far cheaper than a full resit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the IELTS exam cost in the United States in 2026?
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test costs roughly US$280–US$340, depending on the test centre and city. IELTS for UKVI is about US$305 and UKVI Life Skills about US$195. Fees are set by the local test centre, so confirm the exact amount when you book.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake available in the United States?
No. As of 2026, One Skill Retake is not offered in the USA — it is the main country where it is unavailable. To improve a score you must rebook and sit the full four-skill test again.