Getting ready for the IELTS is both exciting and costly. Coaching fees, consulting packages, exam registrations, and college applications can all add up to a lot of money, anywhere from ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000. Most parents and students agree that these are necessary costs.

But a lot of people don’t realize that IELTS agents often get paid more when you pay your exam or school expenses through the routes they propose.

The Secret Game of Commissions

Here’s how it works: your agent says, “We’ll help you pay.” They show you the way to a partner bank or currency dealer. It seems useful on the surface.

That channel normally adds 1.5% to 3% to the exchange rate, though. The agent gets a referral commission from this extra fee.

For instance, if you pay ₹10 lakh in tuition and add 2%, you lose ₹20,000. That’s almost the cost of living in another country for a whole month, and you didn’t even know it.

Aren’t they already charging you too much?

Agents and coaching centers already make a lot of money:

• Coaching for the IELTS costs between ₹15,000 and ₹50,000.
• Consultation for admissions costs between ₹25,000 and ₹1,00,000.
• Another ₹10,000 to ₹30,000 for filing a visa and other services.

So even if you pay them in advance, the extra money you get from your FX transfers is like a secret second fee.

What the Sources and Rules Say

The truth is simple: the people in charge of the IELTS exam don’t deal with money transfers. Only organizations that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recognizes under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) can move money abroad.

• RBI rules say that only approved dealers can send money abroad.
• Official IELTS website: They don’t talk about fee transfers because it’s not in their area of expertise.
• The Hindu and The Economic Times, two national newspapers, keep warning students about high foreign exchange rates and hidden fees.

So keep in mind that if your agent insists on processing your payment, it’s not even their legal area.

Information That Puts Things in Perspective

• In 2023, 1.3 million Indians took the IELTS test.
• Each student spends between ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 merely to get ready for the tests and apply.
• Students pay hidden forex fees of ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 a year on tuition and living expenses.
• Indian students may be losing hundreds of billions of rupees every year because agents charge more for foreign exchange.

That’s money that may help pay for your education or make things easier for your family.

Better and safer options

You don’t have to depend on your agent to send money. Today, sites like IBRLIVE, Thomas Cook, or BookMyForex offer:

• You can see the real cost right away by comparing live currency rates.
• RBI permission, which makes sure that everything is in line with Indian law.
• Fees that are clear and don’t include any hidden commissions.
• Processing is faster, which is better than what banks usually do.

What happened? You save a lot of money, and your money goes directly to your education.

Why This Is Important for All Students

Think about how much money 10% of the 1.3 million people who took the IELTS test lost because of hidden fees. That’s more than ₹260 crore in losses for everyone, solely because of commissions.

When you look at data like this, it’s easy to see why students should handle their own transfers instead of giving them to brokers.

The Smart Way to Move Forward

Before you send in your application money, exam costs, or tuition:

• Check forex rates online.
• Make sure the service is approved by the RBI.
• Don’t use “bundled” services that mix exam prep with money transfers.

You can save ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 a year by doing some research. That’s enough to pay for your books, a flight, or a semester’s rent.

Last thought

IELTS agents should be paid for the help and advice they give. That’s their business. But that’s all they should do.

Don’t let them double-dip by taking money from your fee transfers. Don’t mix studying for tests with sending money. Use channels that are clear and approved by the RBI, and keep your money safe.

At the end of the day, your hard-earned money should open doors to classrooms overseas, not pay for someone else’s secret commission.