What is IELTS One Skill Retake, and how does it work?

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 skills – 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.

Benefits of taking IELTS One Skill Retake

  • Focus on one skill: If you didn’t do your best in the first test, One Skill Retake gives you a second chance to show your English level and improve your score in one section without having to retake the full test. Save time and money by only doing the part of the test related to one skill rather than testing all four skills again.
  • Take a test, you know: IELTS One Skill Retake follows the same format and timing as the regular IELTS test. This means you will already be familiar with the test. You don’t need to worry about preparing for a new exam and learning different task types.
  • Receive a new Test Report Form: You will receive a new IELTS Test Report Form with your IELTS One Skill Retake score. It also includes the scores from your original test and an overall CEFR score. Your results will be valid for two years from the original test date, which you can find on your Test Report Form.
  • Your original test scores will remain the same: There will be no change to your other scores from your original test. And once you’ve received your results, if you would prefer to use your original score, you can. 

How to book IELTS One Skill Retake  

  • You can book the test if you’ve recently completed a full IELTS test 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 One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test.
  • To book One Skill Retake, just log into the Test Taker Portal and you will see your IELTS results. If you would like to improve one result, simply click on the 'Retake' button for the skill you want to retake.

What is IELTS One Skill Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake is a new way to give test takers confidence that they can reach their potential and showcase their full English language ability. With IELTS One Skill Retake, you now have the option to re-take any one section of the test (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if you need to improve on one area (instead of retaking all four sections). We know most test takers get the scores they need the first time, but if you feel you haven’t performed to your best in all areas, IELTS One Skill Retake can be that help to get you back on track. It is available for both IELTS Academic and General Training tests.

Why has the IELTS One Skill Retake been introduced?

Currently, the only way to take IELTS is to take it in one session, sitting a test for each skill: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. With One Skill Retake, IELTS will be the only major English language proficiency test that gives test takers the ability to take one section of the test again, if required, and update their overall test result.

Is it available globally to all test takers?

IELTS One Skill Retake is currently available at selected IELTS on Computer centres and will continue to roll out globally throughout 2023. Find out where OSR is available here: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/one-skill-retake

How long can you wait between your initial four skill IELTS test and the One Skill Retake?

The IELTS One Skill Retake must occur within 60 days of your original IELTS test.

What is the length and format of IELTS One Skill Retake?

You can retake any one section of the IELTS test, whether it’s Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking. The format and timing of that IELTS One Skill Retake test is the same as that individual skill in a normal IELTS test. But you save time because you do not need to complete the other three skills.

Can I complete a One Skill Retake multiple times?

No. You can only complete one retake for each full IELTS test. In each One Skill Retake test you can only retake one section of the IELTS test.

How will I receive my results?

You will receive a new Test Report Form. This includes your updated IELTS One Skill Retake score as well as the results for the other three skills in the original test. You can choose whether you use your original or your new Test Report Form.

Will I receive my Test Report Form electronically or on paper?

You will receive an electronic Test Report Form for your One Skill Retake test. You can download and print the Test Report Form at Test Taker Portal. A paper Test Report Form for One Skill Retake will not be issued by default.

What do IELTS One Skill Retake results look like?

The new Test Report Form and the IELTS One Skill Retake Test Report Form are both valid. Both can be used by Test Takers and Registered organisations in the same way. The IELTS One Skill Retake Test Report Form will also show the original results you go for the other three sections in the original Test.    

The OSR Test Report Form will clearly state that it is the IELTS One Skill Retake result. This will also be indicated on the IELTS Results Verification Service.

How can I use my original IELTS test and IELTS One Skill Retake results?

You can use the Test Report Form and scores from the original four skill IELTS test or you can use the updated Test Report Form that includes the updated IELTS One Skill Retake score. The original Test Report Form will continue to exist alongside the new IELTS One Skill Retake score. Both are valid.

What should I do if my organisation(s) require paper Test Report Forms?

If your organisation(s) requires a hard-copy Test Report Form, please contact your test centre. You may also request multiple hard copies of your Test Report Form through the Additional Test Report Form services.

How do I know if my organisation(s) accepts IELTS One Skill Retake?

Organisations accepting IELTS One Skill Retake are displayed here: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/one-skill-retake/organisations.

The webpage will be updated from time to time. You may also directly check with your organisation(s).

How will institutions that accept IELTS One Skill Retake receive results?

Institutions that already receive IELTS results electronically will receive IELTS One Skill Retake results in the same way they receive IELTS test results now. Any institution that has not registered for this access can receive results directly from their applicants or request electronic delivery of IELTS results.

How can Registered Organisations validate my score?

Educational institutions and organisations you have nominated will receive your electronic IELTS One Skill Retake Test Report Form. Institutions can also use the IELTS Results Verification service to verify your IELTS scores.    

If you book IELTS with the British Council now, you will also get FREE access to IELTS Ready Premium  – a test-preparation platform exclusive for British Council IELTS test takers. Get it and elevate your score with a range of personalised study resources, practice tests and masterclasses!

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