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IELTS Academic: test format, scoring, fees in Indonesia, and how to prepare with Xplodia

The test format, how scores are worked out, fees and booking in Indonesia, and how to practice Reading with Xplodia.

Start freeStudying IELTS Academic with Xplodia

  • 2 hours 45 minutes

    Test length, roughly

  • 0 to 9

    Band scale, with half bands

  • IDR 3,600,000

    Academic or General Training on computer

    As of October 13, 2026

  • 2 years

    Recommended validity

IELTS is an English test jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.[1] More than 13,500 institutions around the world accept it.[2] IELTS Academic is the version for studying in an English-speaking country.[3]

Checked October 13, 2026 against the official sites of IELTS, British Council Indonesia, and IDP IELTS Indonesia.

Xplodia is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council, IDP IELTS, or Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This page summarizes public information from their official sites, with every source listed at the end.

At a glance

As of October 13, 2026, from the providers' official sites.

  • 1 to 5 days

    Computer test results

    Usually 1 to 2 days. The sources give different numbers.[6][10][11][12][13]

  • On computer

    How you take it in Indonesia

    At a test center. The paper test has ended, and IELTS Online is not offered in Indonesia.[14][15][16][17]

  • 60 days

    One Skill Retake

    The window for retaking a single section after a first computer test.[27][28]

Read more
Key facts about IELTS Academic in Indonesia, as of October 13, 2026
TopicDetailsSources
DurationAbout 2 hours 45 minutes[4]
Sections4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking[4]
Score scaleBands 0 to 9, in whole and half bands (for example 6.5)[5]
Fee in IndonesiaIDR 3,600,000 for Academic or General Training on computer, the same at IDP IELTS Indonesia and British Council Indonesia. Neither site says whether VAT is included.[6][7][8][9]
Results1 to 5 days, usually 1 to 2 days, for the computer test. The sources give different numbers; the breakdown is below this table.[6][10][11][12][13]
ValidityIELTS recommends 2 years from the test date. Receiving organizations may accept older results.[5]
How you take it in IndonesiaOn computer, at a test center. The paper test has ended (British Council since June 21, 2026, IDP since July 2026), and IELTS Online is not available in Indonesia.[14][15][16][17]

How long results take, source by source

  • Usually 1 to 2 days (IELTS, How quickly can I get my IELTS result?)[10]
  • 1 to 5 days (IELTS, Ways to take IELTS)[11]
  • 1 to 2 days (British Council Indonesia, Your IELTS test results: when and how to get your score)[12]
  • 3 to 5 days, and elsewhere on the same page 1 to 5 days (IDP IELTS Indonesia, Hasil Tes IELTS)[13]
  • 1 to 5 days (IDP IELTS Indonesia, IELTS FAQ)[6]

Academic or General Training

Xplodia follows the Academic format.[3]

Academic

Who it is for

Study in an English-speaking country, and professional registration

Xplodia: Reading available

General Training

Who it is for

Moving to an English-speaking country (such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK), and training or study below degree level

Xplodia: Not available

  • Listening and Speaking · The same in both

  • Reading and Writing · Different in each

Read more
IELTS Academic and General Training compared
AspectAcademicGeneral Training
Who it is forStudy in an English-speaking country, and professional registrationMoving to an English-speaking country (such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK), and training or study below degree level
Listening and SpeakingThe same in both
Reading and WritingDifferent in each
On XplodiaReading availableNot available

IELTS Academic test format

The format is the same wherever you take the test.[4] In Indonesia, Listening, Reading and Writing are done on computer, and Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.[14][18]

  • Listening

    About 30 minutes

    4 parts, 40 questions

  • Reading

    60 minutes

    3 texts, 40 questions

  • Writing

    60 minutes

    2 tasks

  • Speaking

    11 to 14 minutes

    3 parts

The two providers describe the Speaking schedule differently

  • British Council Indonesia. Speaking can be on the same day as the other three sections, or up to a week before or after. You are told in advance if it is on a different day.[22]
  • IDP IELTS Indonesia. For the computer test, Speaking is on the same day, before or after the other three sections.[23]
Read more
IELTS Academic format
SectionContentTimeNotes
Listening4 parts, 40 questionsAbout 30 minutesYou hear each recording once.[19]
Reading3 texts, 40 questions60 minutesThe texts total 2,150 to 2,750 words. There is no extra time after Reading.[4][20]
Writing2 tasks60 minutesTask 1 describes a graph, table, chart or diagram in at least 150 words (about 20 minutes). Task 2 discusses a point of view, argument or problem in at least 250 words (about 40 minutes). Task 2 carries 2 times the weight of Task 1.[21]
Speaking3 parts11 to 14 minutesA recorded face-to-face interview with an examiner.[18]

The two test providers describe the Speaking schedule differently.

How IELTS scoring works

Each section gets a band from 0 to 9. The overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band.[5]

Applying for Indonesia's LPDP scholarship? The minimum IELTS scores are in our LPDP guide (in Indonesian).

Read more

Each section gets a band from 0 to 9, in whole or half bands. The overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.[5]

Worked overall band examples from ielts.org
Test takerListeningReadingWritingSpeakingAverageOverall band
A6.56.55.07.06.256.5
B4.03.54.04.03.8754.0
C6.56.55.56.06.1256.0

Listening and Reading each have 40 questions. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and the total is converted to a band.[5]

Approximate correct answers (out of 40) for each band
BandListeningAcademic Reading
5.01615
6.02323
7.03030
8.03535

These are the averages ielts.org publishes for bands 5 to 8, and the exact number varies slightly from one test version to another. General Training Reading needs more correct answers for the same band.[5]

IELTS Reading question types

ielts.org lists 11 question types for Academic Reading.[20] On Xplodia, all 11 are taught in the lesson of their Part and have their own practice.

Further reading on the Xplodia blog (in Indonesian):

Read more
Academic Reading question types and the Xplodia Part that teaches them
Question type (official name)On Xplodia
Multiple choicePart 3 (practices Multiple Choice A and Multiple Choice B)
Identifying information (True/False/Not given)Part 1 (practice True / False / Not Given)
Identifying writer's views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)Part 1 (practice Yes / No / Not Given)
Matching informationPart 2 (practice Matching Information)
Matching headingsPart 2 (practice Matching Heading)
Matching featuresPart 2 (practice Matching Features)
Matching sentence endingsPart 2 (practice Matching Sentence Ending)
Sentence completionPart 5 (practice Sentence Completion)
Summary/note/table/flow chart completionPart 5 (practices Summary Completion, Table Completion, Note Completion, and Flow Chart Completion)
Diagram label completionPart 5 (practice Diagram Completion)
Short-answer questionsPart 4 (practices Short Answer A and Short Answer B)

Fees and registration in Indonesia

In Indonesia you register and pay directly with IDP IELTS Indonesia or British Council Indonesia. The fees below are from their sites as of October 13, 2026.

  • IDP IELTS Indonesia

    IDR 3,600,000[6][7]

    Academic or General Training on computer

    IELTS for UKVI IDR 4,060,000[6]

    • You can also book at an IDP branch office.[25]
    • IDP's pages disagree on whether a KTP is accepted. Ask IDP before booking with one.[26]
    Book on the IDP booking site

  • British Council Indonesia

    IDR 3,600,000[8][9]

    Academic or General Training on computer

    IELTS for UKVI IDR 4,060,000[8]

    • Online payment only since July 1, 2026, within 1 hour.[14]
    • Accepts a valid KTP or passport.[8]
    • One British Council UKVI page still says IDR 3,951,500.[24]
    Book on the British Council site

Neither site says whether the fee includes VAT, and IDP notes that fees can change at any time.[6]

Read more
IELTS fees in Indonesia, as of October 13, 2026
TestIDP IELTS IndonesiaBritish Council Indonesia
IELTS Academic or General Training, on computerIDR 3,600,000[6][7]IDR 3,600,000[8][9]
IELTS for UKVIIDR 4,060,000[6]IDR 4,060,000[8]

Neither site says whether VAT is included. IDP notes that fees can change at any time.[6]

One British Council UKVI page still shows IDR 3,951,500, while the British Council booking page and the IDP FAQ show IDR 4,060,000.[6][8][24]

How to register

ID document

  • British Council Indonesia. Accepts a valid KTP (Indonesian ID card) or passport. You upload a scan when you register and bring the same ID on test day.[8][22]
  • IDP IELTS Indonesia. IDP's page on what to bring is inconsistent. The Indonesian text says passport or KTP, matching the ID you registered with, but the English FAQ on the same page says passport only. Ask IDP before you register with a KTP.[26]

One Skill Retake

  • If one section falls short, One Skill Retake lets you retake just that section within 60 days of your original test, for the computer test. IDP IELTS Indonesia offers it at selected centers[27], and British Council Indonesia for IELTS Academic, General Training and IELTS for UKVI on computer.[28] Neither page we checked lists a price.

Studying IELTS Academic with Xplodia

Right now it covers Reading only, in Parts 0 to 5. That is 6 lessons, 5 pretests, 16 practices and 5 posttests.

Read more

Xplodia's IELTS Academic course covers Reading only for now. It is split into Part 0 to Part 5, with 6 lessons, 5 pretests, 16 practices and 5 posttests in total. The app is in English.

Part 0 is an introductory lesson. Parts 1 to 5 each cover one group of question types, in the order pretest, lesson, practices, then posttest. The list below is what students see in the app as of October 13, 2026.

  1. Part 0: Introduction

    1. Lesson: Introduction to IELTS Academic Reading

  2. Part 1: True/False/Not Given

    Question types: True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given

    1. Pretest
    2. Lesson: True / False / Not Given and Yes / No / Not Given
    3. Practice: True / False / Not Given
    4. Practice: Yes / No / Not Given
    5. Posttest

  3. Part 2: Matching

    Question types: Matching headings, Matching information, Matching features, and Matching sentence endings

    1. Pretest
    2. Lesson: Matching
    3. Practice: Matching Heading
    4. Practice: Matching Features
    5. Practice: Matching Information
    6. Practice: Matching Sentence Ending
    7. Posttest

  4. Part 3: Multiple Choice

    Question types: Multiple choice and Multiple choice (choose two)

    1. Pretest
    2. Lesson: Multiple Choice
    3. Practice: Multiple Choice A
    4. Practice: Multiple Choice B
    5. Posttest

  5. Part 4: Short Answer

    Question types: Short answer

    1. Pretest
    2. Lesson: Short Answer Questions
    3. Practice: Short Answer A
    4. Practice: Short Answer B
    5. Posttest

  6. Part 5: Completion

    Question types: Sentence completion, Summary completion, Table completion, Diagram completion, Note completion, and Flowchart completion

    1. Pretest
    2. Lesson: Completion
    3. Practice: Sentence Completion
    4. Practice: Summary Completion
    5. Practice: Table Completion
    6. Practice: Diagram Completion
    7. Practice: Note Completion
    8. Practice: Flow Chart Completion
    9. Posttest

A Part's practices open once you finish its pretest. Each practice gets a mastery score from all your attempts, with the most recent ones weighted most. Mastered starts at a score of 85. The posttest opens once the pretest is done and every practice in that Part has reached Mastered. More in how the mastery indicator works.

Dio, Xplodia's AI tutor, sees the same question you do in practice with instant feedback, in lessons and in review, so you can select the sentence that confuses you and ask about it right away.

Not available yet

  • Listening (marked Coming soon in the app)

  • Writing

  • Speaking

  • Full-length timed mock tests

  • IELTS General Training

Frequently asked questions

How much does IELTS cost in Indonesia?

As of October 13, 2026, IELTS Academic or General Training on computer costs IDR 3,600,000, the same at IDP IELTS Indonesia and British Council Indonesia. IELTS for UKVI costs IDR 4,060,000. Neither site says whether VAT is included.

How long is an IELTS score valid?

IELTS recommends treating results as valid for 2 years from the test date. Receiving organizations may accept older results, so check with the university or scholarship you are applying to.

What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?

Academic is for study in an English-speaking country and for professional registration. General Training is for moving to an English-speaking country and for training or study below degree level. Listening and Speaking are the same in both; Reading and Writing differ.

Is the paper-based IELTS still available in Indonesia?

No. British Council Indonesia stopped offering the paper test on June 21, 2026, and IDP IELTS Indonesia moved IELTS to computer from July 2026. Paper results you already have stay valid until the end of the recommended 2-year period.[15][16][29]

How long do IELTS results take?

For the computer test, official sources say 1 to 5 days, usually 1 to 2 days. The pages disagree, and the breakdown is in At a glance.

Is Xplodia an official IELTS provider?

No. Xplodia is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council, IDP IELTS, or Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Xplodia is where you study and practice; you still register for and take the test with IDP IELTS Indonesia or British Council Indonesia.

Is Xplodia free?

Yes, it is free during launch. Dio has a weekly usage limit that resets every Monday at 00:00 Jakarta time. You can start without creating an account, then sign in with Google to keep going after your first practice.

Sources

We checked the IELTS facts against these pages on October 13, 2026.

  1. 1.About IELTS. IELTS.
  2. 2.Why choose IELTS? IELTS.
  3. 3.Test types. IELTS.
  4. 4.IELTS Academic test format and sections. IELTS.
  5. 5.IELTS scoring in detail. IELTS.
  6. 6.IELTS FAQ. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  7. 7.IDP IELTS Indonesia Kuningan (IELTS test centres). IELTS.
  8. 8.Book your IELTS test in Indonesia. British Council Indonesia.
  9. 9.British Council Indonesia Foundation (IELTS test centres). IELTS.
  10. 10.How quickly can I get my IELTS result? IELTS.
  11. 11.Ways to take IELTS. IELTS.
  12. 12.Your IELTS test results: when and how to get your score. British Council Indonesia.
  13. 13.Hasil Tes IELTS. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  14. 14.IELTS test dates, fees, and locations in Indonesia. British Council Indonesia.
  15. 15.Take IELTS with the British Council. British Council Indonesia.
  16. 16.Paper-based IELTS. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  17. 17.IELTS Online di Indonesia. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  18. 18.IELTS Academic: Speaking test format. IELTS.
  19. 19.IELTS Academic: Listening test format. IELTS.
  20. 20.IELTS Academic: Reading test format. IELTS.
  21. 21.IELTS Academic: Writing test format. IELTS.
  22. 22.Understand what happens on your test day. British Council Indonesia.
  23. 23.Everything you need to prepare for IELTS Listening. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  24. 24.IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration. British Council Indonesia.
  25. 25.Temukan lokasi tes. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  26. 26.Hal yang harus dibawa untuk tes IELTS. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  27. 27.IELTS One Skill Retake. IDP IELTS Indonesia.
  28. 28.IELTS One Skill Retake. British Council Indonesia.
  29. 29.Updates to IELTS test delivery. IELTS.

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