Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions regarding the IELTS One Skill Retake for recognising organisations.

What is IELTS One Skill Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake allows test takers to improve their IELTS score without repeating the full test. If test takers feel the IELTS test results do not reflect their true English language ability, they can retake one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking).

Why have we introduced IELTS One Skill Retake?

Until now, students could only take a major English language proficiency test (such as IELTS) in one sitting for all skills: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. IELTS is the first and only test to allow students to retake one skill and improve their overall test score.

Who is eligible to take IELTS One Skill Retake?

To be eligible for IELTS One Skill Retake, a student must have recently completed a General or Academic IELTS on Computer test* and have received the results from a test centre that offers IELTS One Skill Retake.

* IELTS for Academic and General Training on computer One Skill Retake is currently not available for tests taken in the USA.

How do organisations receive results?

IELTS One Skill Retake results are shared with organisations in the same way as other IELTS results. For example, if your organisation receives IELTS results electronically, it will also receive IELTS One Skill Retake results in the same way.

If your organisation is not registered to receive results, you can request it via the IELTS online verification Registration form or, alternatively, receive results directly from the applicant.

How can Registered Organisations validate scores?

Registered organisations should use the IELTS Results Service to check and process test takers’ IELTS One Skill Retake Results. 

How do prospective applicants know if my organisation accepts IELTS One Skill Retake?

All organisations agreeing to recognise IELTS One Skill Retake results will be displayed in the IELTS database. We also recommend letting prospective applicants know of your IELTS acceptance on your organisation’s website. 

How will I know whether the score is from an original IELTS test or an IELTS One Skill Retake?

The Test Report Form (TRF) will state ‘One Skill Retake’ in the top right-hand corner. This will also be shown on the IELTS Results Service Verification portal.

Do test takers have to use the IELTS One Skill Retake results?

After completing the IELTS One Skill Retake, test takers will have two separate Test Report Forms:

  • the original TRF with their four skill test results
  • the new form with the updated One Skill Retake result

They can decide whether to use their new or old scores.

The original TRF will continue to exist alongside the new One Skill Retake form, and both forms are valid for two years from the original test date, as stated on the Test Report Form.

What does the IELTS One Skill Retake test report form look like?

The IELTS One Skill Retake Test Report Form has the same look and format as any other IELTS Test Report Form. 

In the top right-hand corner of the form, it will display the test type, ‘One Skill Retake’, followed by the relevant skill being taken. The ‘Test Results’ section displays the retaken skill score and the original score for the other three skills.

Is IELTS One Skill Retake available for UKVI test?

UKVI is accepting IELTS One Skill Retake for IELTS Academic and General Training tests on computer in selected locations.

When will the option for IELTS One Skill Retake for the paper based tests be available?

At present, IELTS One Skill Retake is only available on computer in selected test centres, in selected countries.  We are continuing to roll IELTS One Skill Retake out to test centres in more countries. In future, we expect to make IELTS One Skill Retake available to those who have taken the paper based test, and we will let test takers know when this option is made available.