Your IELTS results – when and how to get your IELTS score

The IELTS Test Report Form (or TRF) is the official confirmation of your test result that can be shared as proof of your English language proficiency. This can either be a paper copy or an electronic version (eTRF).

IELTS on Paper

Paper Test Report Form We will deliver your TRF by courier within 7 days to the mailing address in your profile. There is no electronic version (eTRF) available for download. Please allow at least seven working days for the postal delivery of the TRF. Please note: Paper copy of the TRF cannot be collected in person at the test centre.

IELTS on Computer

Electronic Test Report Form If you have taken IELTS on computer, you will receive your results electronically only. You can download the electronic version (eTRF) from the Test Taker portal after your test results are released.  We will not issue paper Test Report Forms to test takers taken IELTS on computer. You can print your electronic Test Report Form (eTRF) to send it to the organisations you are applying to, or you can send it via email. Alternatively, you can place a request to send your results directly to the organization through the Test Taker Portal. Please refer to and expand the next Q&A tab for more information. Test Taker Portal

 

Regardless of whether you attended IELTS on Paper or Computer, you can request to send your TRF to Schools/Institutions/Recognizing Organizations in paper or electronic format within 2 years. You can place the request in the Test Taker Portal; Choose the tab “Recognising Organisations” and click the button “Choose organisations”.

The first 5 paper TRF copies are free of charge, while electronic TRFs are free, allowing recognizing organizations to check your score instantly via the IELTS verification system.

For free printed copies, we will send them out by regular local or air mail (without tracking numbers provided). 

Our Exams Office will process all requests within five to seven working days. 

Test Taker Portal

For additional paper copies (from the 6th copy onwards), an administrative fee is payable, and we will send them with a courier tracking number. Please contact us to make a request.

Electronic copy	Free of charge
Printed copy to local Hong Kong addresses	HKD$150 per copy
Printed copy to overseas addresses	HKD$300 per copy

Note:

• If a Recognising Organisation (RO) subscribes to the electronic score download service (STED RO), the results will be sent electronically only. Before submitting a request for an “Additional Test Report Form,” please confirm with the organisation the preferred format for receiving results (printed or electronic); otherwise, this may delay the processing of your request.
• Electronic Test Report Forms (eTRF) will not be sent by email. Instead, we will upload your results to the online system, where the Recognising Organisation (RO) can retrieve them directly. As we must verify the recipient details of the designated organisation/institution (for example, the admissions office of a university), we will be unable to upload the eTRF if your request does not match the approved recipient list.

You will be awarded an IELTS band score from 0-9 for each test section, which reflects your proficiency in English.

Your TRF shows a score for each of the four skills so you get an IELTS Listening score, an IELTS Reading score, an IELTS Writing score and an IELTS Speaking score. You also get an overall band score. You can score whole band scores (for example 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half band scores (e.g. 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) in each section of the test.

Find out more about what your IELTS score means here.

Organisations will usually not accept your results if they are more than two years old, unless you provide evidence that you have actively maintained or tried to improve your English since taking the test. The IELTS Partners cannot confirm the validity of test results that are more than two years old.

If you did not receive the score you expected, you can apply for your test to be re-marked.  

This is called an Enquiry on Results (EOR). You can choose which test sections you want to be re-marked and will need to request this through the test centre where you took your test. You need to apply for a re-marking no later than six weeks after the test date.

IELTS on Computer, IELTS on Paper, and IELTS for UKVI:

You can submit and pay for an Enquiry on Results online from the Test Taker Portal.

The fee for this service is HK$1,200, which will be refunded if your score is increased for any section of the test.

An administrative fee would apply for the courier service of sending a new Test Report Form, depending on the delivery address.

The Enquiry on Results fee will be refunded if your score is increased for any section of the test.

The outcome of an Enquiry on Results can become available on the same day as your application and up to 21 days after your application. The time it takes depends on several factors, including the number of sections you have asked us to re-mark. If you have not received a response after 21 days, please contact your test centre. 

It is not possible to have qualitative feedback on the test or see the test. 

Test Taker Portal

There are no restrictions on re-taking IELTS. You can book a test as soon as you feel you are ready to do so.

Please note that your score is unlikely to increase unless you make a significant effort to improve your English before re-taking the test. Visit the preparation section to take a practice test and assess your level.

IELTS One Skill Retake is a new feature designed to help you get your desired test score without retaking the full test. If you want to improve your score on one test skill, you can retake any of the four IELTS components – Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking. 

IELTS One Skill Retake is available for  

• IELTS Academic and General Training on computer
• IELTS for UKVI (Academic and General Training) on computer. 

Conditions to book IELTS One Skill Retake  

• You can book the test if you’ve recently completed a full test – IELTS on Computer or IELTS for UKVI on computer.
• You must also have received your results from a test centre that offers IELTS One Skill Retake. 
• You can only retake one skill once per original test, and you must sit the IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test.

Please refer to https://www.britishcouncil.hk/en/exam/ielts/one-skill-retake for more information

If your test (result) is cancelled or postponed due to other circumstances within the test centre’s control such as technical failure, venue or environmental factors, the test centre will provide test taker with as much notice as possible and give test taker the choice of a full refund or a transfer to a future test, subject to availability. The British Council is not liable for any losses you incur as a result of test (result) cancellation.