IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most popular English Language proficiency tests which evaluates the English skills of students and allows them to get admission in universities abroad. IELTS results are accepted by most of the renowned universities in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. IELTS basically comprises two types of tests namely, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Also, there are two test providers – IDP (International Developmental Program) and BC (British Council), who are responsible for conducting the examination worldwide. Applicants will get the same test formats from both the providers. They can choose one of them based on their preference. They will be tested for English listening, reading, speaking and writing skills.
If you are taking the exam to study or work in the UK, then you need to take IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Academic or General Training or the IELTS for Life Skills test. The IELTS results are visible to students online after 13 days of the test date. It remains online for 28 days. However, the result of IELTS for life skills is available within 7 days. The computer-driven IELTS test results can be viewed within 5-7 days after the test.
Latest: Check your IELTS 2020 results and scorecard here.
Important Notice: COVID 19
In some locations, IELTS testing is suspended in line with official requirements of healthcare authorities.
On the website of IELTS.org, it is advised that test takers not to attend an IELTS test if they have been in contact with anybody suspected to have been exposed to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), or who have a cough, fever or are showing signs of being short of breath.
Many countries including US, UK, Europe, South East Asia, Canada a lot of places have been notified about it and tests are cancelled up to further notice.
In India, testing has been cancelled only in Kottayam, Kerala – all testing suspended until 21 March 2020
IELTS Results – What is an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF)?
IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is a paper-copy of IELTS test score which is made available in 13 days after the test. Applicants can collect the scorecard in person at the test centre or get it delivered by post. IELTS results cannot be disclosed on phone or email.
Latest: Check your IELTS 2020 results and scorecard here.
IELTS Results – How to check IELTS results?
To check or view IELTS results, students can access results through the following ways based on test centres and exam provider:
- British Council network of test centres
- IDP IELTS Australia network of test centres
- IELTS USA network of test centres
To check the IELTS results via the British Council Network of Test centres, you can visit the given link above, fill in the details given below and access your results.
- Test date
- Date of Birth
- Identification document number
- Candidate number
IELTS Results – Receiving results via SMS
You can also get results via SMS. You can send the following code to 9289892898 from any mobile number after 12:00 noon on the result day.
RESULT<space>Candidate No.<space>Passport No
For any further clarifications, test takers can contact customer services at 0120-4569000 / 6684353.
IELTS Results – How to calculate IELTS scores?
You get an IELTS band score from 0-9 for each test section, which reflects the applicant’s proficiency in English. TRF shows a score for each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) and overall band score.
One can get the whole band scores (such as 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half band scores (5.5, 6.5, 7.5) in each section of the test.
- Overall band scores are calculated to the nearest whole or half band
- If the average score across the four skills ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band
- If it ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band
To get full details on the Band Score for each component and the overall, read IELTS score article.
IELTS Results – What are the types of Band Scores?
On IELTS TFR, you will get individual test scores and overall band scores. IELTS is scored on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding to a specific level of proficiency in the English Language. The band 0-9 score with description is given below:
| Band 0 | Did not answer questions |
| Band 1 | No ability to use language |
| Band 2 | Difficulty in understanding written and spoken English |
| Band 3 | Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations |
| Band 4 | Frequent problems in understanding and expression |
| Band 5 | Partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations |
| Band 6 | Effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies |
| Band 7 | Operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies |
| Band 9 | Full operational command on the language |
To know the full details on this English proficiency test, check out the IELTS article here.
IELTS Results – How to send IELTS scores to universities?
Institutions require original copies of IELTS Test Report Form which can be sent via British Council. This can be mentioned while booking or registering for the IELTS test. Applicants should mention the full address of the universities in the online form which they would like IELTS provider to send their TRFs. British Council can send up to 5 copies of TRF directly to the mentioned universities.
IELTS Results – Additional test report forms
Test takers can ask British Council to send a copy of their TRF to a recognising organisation, in addition to the five copies they have already provided. They need to complete the Application for Additional Test Report Form with the relevant addresses of the institutions when they register for IELTS with the British Council.
Test takers have to attach a photocopy of their IELTS test result and passport along with the Demand Draft for (Additional Test Report Form) and send it via courier to British Council Gurgaon office. British Council sends TFR via the following modes:
- Applicants have to pay INR 1,250 per address for courier charge. The courier service takes approximately 4 days to deliver to the university. You will be notified via SMS.
- If sending by post, the fee will be INR 250 per address. It takes approx. two weeks to get delivered through Air Mail.
- Universities or Institutions that have subscribed to the electronic download of scores (STED RO) will be sent results electronically. The fee will be INR 250 per university.
IELTS Results – Test Score Validity
Universities and organisations abroad generally do not accept test scores that are more than 2 years old. Test takers have to convince the organisation that they have actively maintained English knowledge since they took the test last time. IELTS partners cannot confirm test result validity which is older than the said time.
How to prepare for IELTS? Read our IELTS preparation article here.
IELTS Results – How to retake IELTS?
Generally, there are no restrictions on reappearing for the test. You should improve your knowledge of English so that you can score better in your next attempt. You can always book an exam slot when you are ready with your test preparation.
IELTS Results – IELTS Scores required for visa purpose
IELTS scores are accepted in all English-speaking nations like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, etc. to receive visas for educational or professional purposes. We have given IELTS requirements for some of the top study abroad destinations for obtaining a study visa.
UK
- General Tier 4 student visa (degree level) – 5.5 for overall and each component
Australia
- Australian student visa – You need to score a minimum 6.5 overall in IELTS, with no band less than 6.0 for your postgraduate options. For undergraduate options, you need to score a minimum 6.0 overall in IELTS
USA
- US study visa IELTS requirements for UG course is 5.5-6.0 and for PG course is 6.0-6.5.
Below in the given table, students can find out IELTS score accepted in top universities in US, UK and Australia.
IELTS Band Score accepted in top US universities
| IELTS Band Score | University |
| Contact University | Stanford University |
| 7.0 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| 7.0 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
| 7.0 | Harvard University |
| 7.0 | Princeton University |
IELTS Band Score accepted in top UK universities
| IELTS Band Score | University |
| 7.0 for UG and 7.5 for PG courses | University of Oxford |
| 7.0 | University of Cambridge |
| 7.0 | Imperial College London |
| 6.5 | University College London |
| 7.0 for UG and 7.5 for PG courses | London School of Economics and Political Science |
IELTS Band Score accepted in top Australian universities
| IELTS Band Score | University |
| 7.0 | University of Melbourne |
| 6.5 for UG and 7.0 for PG courses | Australian National University |
| 6.5 for UG and 6.5 for PG courses | University of Sydney |
| 6.5 | University of Queensland |
| 6.5 | Monash University |
IELTS Results – How to get IELTS test re-marked?
Generally, there are no mistakes in marking in the score card but you can get IELTS score card remarked by asking for an Enquiry on Results (EOR). The fee for the EOR is INR 6,500 (for test dates upto 31 July 2019) and INR 8,000 (for test dates from 1 August 2019), which is refunded if scores change as a result of the re-marking. It normally takes about 21 days from the time documents are received by the assessment team. Students can choose which test sections they want to be re-marked and the re-marking is not accepted later than six weeks after the test date.
IELTS Results – FAQs
Q. When are the IELTS results declared?
A. Test takers can check their results online in 13 days after they have taken the test. IELTS for Life Skills results are available within 7 days after the test.
Q. What a candidate should do if he or she has lost the TRF?
IDP IELTS does not provide a fresh TRF if a candidate has lost it or damaged it. But they can directly forward a TRF to an institution/organisation on behalf of the candidate.
Q. Can applicants get more than one hard copy of TRF?
A. They can ask for extra copies of TRF to be sent to universities or colleges they want to attend abroad. This will be in addition to 5 copies of TRF which you get when you first register for the exam. The test providers can send the TRF on the test takers behalf. You will have to pay an extra charge for additional TRFs.
Q. Is a 7 band score good for getting admissions abroad?
A. In general, 7 overall band score is good for graduate admissions in universities abroad. You would still need to have a minimum of 6 in individual components of the test. It also depends on the university youre applying to.
Q. Can test takers download a copy of scores with an explanation of improvement?
A. Test takers can download scores explained in PDF on the providers website when they are released.
Q. What is Your scores explained feature on the IDP IELTS website?
A. Test takers can log in through the link provided on the IDP IELTS website on the 13th day after they have appeared for the IELTS exam. They will be able to see provisional results and a table with an explanation of scores and advice for improvement.
Q. When can test takers resit for the exam?
A. They can resit for the exam at any time.
Q. What happens if an applicant is unable to appear for the IELTS exam?
A. He/She will be deemed absent in the exam. There would not be any refund for the test not taken.
Q. What can students do if they are unhappy with their test results?
A. Candidates can ask for a remark (rechecking) of their score by submitting a form with a fee of INR 9,500 in form of DD to IDP India, Delhi office, if your provider, is IDP India. You have to send original TRF with remarking form and can ask for one remark only.
