After the test
Read about what happens once you've completed your test.
Results release
Results will be available 13 days after the test on the British Council website if you sat IELTS on paper. You can check your result online from 10.00am on the 13th day after your test. To do this, you need the candidate number which you will be given on the test day.
Results from an IELTS on Computer test will be available to view on the Test Taker Portal 3-5 days after the test.
Test report form
If you registered for your IELTS on Computer test after 01/01/2024, you will receive your results electronically only. You will be able to access a downloadable and printable version of your electronic Test Report Form (eTRF) from the online booking platform used to register for the test.
Test Report Forms (TRFs) for IELTS on Paper candidates will be sent to the address on the application form 13 days after the test date by first class Royal Mail. TRFs for IELTS on Computer candidates that booked their test before 01/01/2024 will be sent to the address on their application form 3-5 days after the test by first class Royal Mail.
Please allow a week for UK post or a month for international post for the results to reach your address. We have to wait 2 weeks for UK post or 4 weeks for international post before we can consider your TRF lost.
If you think your TRF is lost in the post, please contact us.
If you would like to have your results sent by courier, this can be arranged at an extra charge (UK/EU £15, worldwide £20). Please contact us to arrange this before your results are due to be sent out.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your address is accurate and complete during the application stage. Please provide full details, including house or flat number, street name, town/city, country and postcode or zip code as appropriate, in the relevant fields within the application form.
We will charge £15 for replacement TRF if your TRF gets lost in the post because you have given us an incorrect address.
If you would like to collect your TRF in person, please tell us on the Test day or at least 3 days before the Result Release date.
How examiners are tested
IELTS Writing and Speaking assessments are carried out by trained and certificated examiners, all of whom are qualified and experienced English language specialists. Before becoming a certified IELTS examiner, the examiners must participate in standardized training conducted by an experienced IELTS examiner trainer. Part of the training includes showing that they can accurately and consistently mark IELTS Speaking and Writing exams based on the British Council specific marking criteria.
Once certified, all examiners are regularly monitored to ensure they are consistently and accurately following the standards for marking speaking and writing exams. Examiners must also get re-certified every two years.
How results are calculated
You can’t fail IELTS - the test assesses all levels of English results are reported on a 9-band scale.
You will be given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.
More information on how band scores are calculated can be found on the British Council 'Understand and explain the IELTS scores' page