Ipswich vs Bury St Edmunds
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Ipswich | Bury St Edmunds |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pass Rate | 63.1% | 45.7% |
| Male Pass Rate | 62.0% | 44.6% |
| Female Pass Rate | 64.5% | 47.1% |
| Tests Conducted | 10,724 | 8,452 |
| Years of Data | 16 | 16 |
Pass Rate Trends
Ipswich vs Bury St Edmunds
Choosing between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. With a 17.4 percentage point gap between them, there is a meaningful difference in pass rates.
Ipswich has a pass rate of 63.1% from 10,724 tests, while Bury St Edmunds sits at 45.7% from 8,452 tests in the latest financial year.
Detailed Analysis
Pass rates: Ipswich leads with the higher pass rate. This is a substantial gap that suggests genuinely different testing conditions or candidate profiles.
Test volume: Ipswich is the busier centre with 10,724 tests per year, compared to 8,452 at Bury St Edmunds. Both centres have comparable volumes.
Trends: Ipswich has remained relatively stable over the last three years, while Bury St Edmunds has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.7 percentage points. These opposing trends are worth monitoring, as the current gap may narrow or widen in coming years.
Gender comparison: At Ipswich, the male pass rate is 62.0% and female is 64.5%. At Bury St Edmunds, it's 44.6% male and 47.1% female.
Our Verdict
On pass rate alone, Ipswich has the edge at 63.1% compared to Bury St Edmunds's 45.7%. However, pass rates reflect candidate cohorts as much as test difficulty. If you've done most of your lessons near Bury St Edmunds, the familiarity with local roads may outweigh the statistical difference.
Whichever centre you choose, thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in your result. Practice until you're consistently confident, book when you feel ready, and arrive early on the day.
Booking Tips
When choosing between these centres, consider the following practical factors:
- Availability: Ipswich is the busier centre (10,724 vs 8,452 tests/year), which may mean longer waits for bookings. Bury St Edmunds could offer more flexible scheduling.
- Best months: Ipswich's highest pass rate month is Jul (68.1%). Bury St Edmunds peaks in Apr (49.4%).
- Practice area: Book at the centre whose surrounding roads you've practised on most. Route familiarity consistently matters more than pass rate statistics.
- Cancellation checking: If your preferred centre has a long wait, consider using a cancellation checking service. Both centres may have short-notice openings that aren't visible when you first book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the higher pass rate, Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds?
Ipswich has the higher pass rate at 63.1%, compared to 45.7% at Bury St Edmunds. This is a 17.4 percentage point difference.
Which centre is busier?
Ipswich conducts more tests (10,724 vs 8,452 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.
Are these pass rates trending up or down?
Ipswich has remained relatively stable over the last three years. Bury St Edmunds has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.7 percentage points. Check each centre's individual page for the full historical chart.
Should I choose a centre based on pass rate alone?
No. Pass rates reflect the overall candidate pool, not test difficulty. A centre with a lower pass rate may have more first-time or nervous candidates. Your own preparation, familiarity with the roads, and comfort level on test day are far more important than a few percentage points of difference.