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Take an IELTS test in or nearby Costa Rica

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About Costa Rica

There is one British Council test centre in Costa Rica's capital San Jose. Besides the capital, there are no other IELTS test centres across the country.

Background of Costa Rica

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English requirements in Costa Rica

To study in English at one of the universities in Costa Rica you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

4 most popular study destinations for students in Costa Rica

1. Germany

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2. United Kingdom

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3. United States

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4. Netherlands

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Student insurance for students studying in Costa Rica

Aon To make sure students in Costa Rica have access to the best insurance out there, Studyportals found a reliable partner in Aon. You can easily get advise and insight in costs based on your personal needs.

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IELTS Remains Australia’s Trusted English Test; What It Means for You

Posted by Sophia Tobias on August 21, 2025
Great news! On 31 July 2025, the IELTS Partners,British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, signed a new three-year agreement with Australia’s Department of Home Affairs. This secures IELTS’s recognition for visa and migration use, reaffirming it as a trusted option for anyone aiming to live, study, or work in Australia.
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IELTS: A Global Benchmark in 2024

Posted by Chris van Baal on February 15, 2024
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) continues to be a global benchmark in language proficiency assessment, marking its 36th year in 2024. Recognized worldwide for its reliability and standardization, IELTS has been a cornerstone in international education and migration.
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Ace Your IELTS: Free Practice Tests on Admissiontestportal

Posted by Chris van Baal on July 14, 2023
Admissiontestportal has introduced a valuable resource for students preparing for the IELTS exam: free mock tests. These practice tests are designed to help candidates familiarize themselves with the format of the IELTS exam and understand what to expect on the actual test day.
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Short Guide on How to Prepare for IELTS at Home and Take the Test Online

Posted by Chris van Baal on October 20, 2022
The British Council IELTS is your best option if you need proof of English language proficiency when applying for a degree in an English-speaking country like the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. You can opt for the IELTS Online Test, prepare with a training platform online, and even do the IELTS Practice Test Online.
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Frequently asked questions about IELTS in Costa Rica

How much does the IELTS exam cost in Costa Rica?

The IELTS test in Costa Rica costs USD 230. Please note that you may need to make extra costs such as transportation or accomodation if you need to travel to a city to take IELTS. See our article on IELTS costs how to save money on your IELTS test.

How can I apply for IELTS in Costa Rica?

First make sure that you apply for the right type of IELTS. The IELTS exam is offered as Academic or a General Training variant. The Academic variant is for studying abroad and the General Training if you want to migrate to an English-speaking country and work there, or if you plan to attend a secondary school. Applying for all variants of IELTS in Costa Rica can be done by following this link to the official IELTS registration website.

Is IELTS for UKVI available for people from Costa Rica?

If you plan to study or work in the United Kingdom, you need IELTS for UKVI. The UK Home Office has authorized the Secure English language exams (SELT) IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training and IELTS Life Skills for visa applications to the UK coming from Costa Rica. Read more on the different types of IELTS in our article.

Which test center in Costa Rica is the best to take the IELTS exam?

There is no "best test center" in Costa Rica , all of them are equally good. The IELTS test is a standardized test that is conducted in exactly the same way on different locations. So, it doesn't really matter which test center you will go, you will always get the same high quality experience. Go directly to test centers in Costa Rica to find a test centers that is most convenient for you.

When will IELTS exams start in Costa Rica?

IELTS exams in Costa Rica are conducted through the whole year. You can find all dates for IELTS exams in Costa Rica on the official IELTS registration website.