The IELTS is not an easy test. Sometimes, even if you study as hard as you can, you don’t get your desired IELTS score. If this is the case (and you planned the timing of your test well), you still have time to fix the problem. There are two things you can do. You can take the exam again, or you can request that your scores be revaluated by filing an Enquiry on Results (PDF). If you are considering getting your IELTS test revaluated, you might be wondering about the IELTS revaluation success rate. In other words, how often do revaluation requests actually work?
The answer is that your IELTS score can be changed. However, an increase of a band or more is rare, and almost never happens on the Listening or Reading sections. The chances of a score improvement are slightly higher on the Writing and Speaking sections.
It’s hard to provide an exact IELTS revaluation success rate since these are done on a case-by-case basis. But keep in mind, the Enquiry on Results process takes a long time and involves IELTS revaluation fees.
The decision of whether to apply for an IELTS revaluation is personal, and while this post provides information on how the revaluation process, the ultimate decision is up to you!
IELTS Revaluation Success Rate by Section
First things first, your IELTS score cannot decrease after revaluation. Now, let’s go over your chances of getting a higher IELTS score by section.
IELTS Listening and Reading Revaluation Success Rate
Your answers on the Listening and Reading sections are usually just one word or even a single letter. When graders look at your answers, there is very little question of whether they are correct or not. Even if you lost points on a “technicality,” such as bad IELTS handwriting on the paper-based exam, it is rare for another grader to change your score.
So if you’re dissatisfied with your Listening or Reading scores, requesting an IELTS rescore will rarely make a difference.
IELTS Writing and Speaking Revaluation Success Rate
Your scores for the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS are more difficult to grade. Different graders may disagree about whether your score is correct or not. However, all of the IELTS graders go through lots of training, so it’s rare for them to disagree by more than a point. For example, some might argue about whether your score should be changed from a 6.5 to a 7, but rarely about whether it should be a 7.5. Overall though, the IELTS writing reevaluation success rate and IELTS speaking reevaluation success rate are low.
Should You Request a Revaluation? Factors to Consider
Whether you should request a rescore of your IELTS exam depends on your circumstances. But there are several questions to keep in mind as you make this decision:
When do you need passing scores by?
Challenging your IELTS results takes time. Even if you end up being right, and you did score higher than your original results, it might not matter. If you need to send passing scores within the next three weeks, your corrected score will come too late.
Do you need to send scores soon?
When you challenge your IELTS score, you will have to send your Test Report Form in along with the Enquiry on Results form. Without the Test Report Form, you cannot send your IELTS scores anywhere. This might prevent you from gaining a conditional acceptance to a school.
Can you afford the IELTS revaluation fees?
The cost of sending an Enquiry on Results form to challenge your IELTS score depends on the testing center. However, many charge the same amount for an IELTS revaluation as they do to take a new test. This is often around $210. You should contact the testing center where you took the exam to find out the exact price.
Do you think your score was good luck?
If you feel like you scored well on the IELTS, do you feel like it is because you were well prepared? Or does it feel like you got lucky? If you feel like you can do just as well on the IELTS again, retaking the IELTS might be the better option.
How to Request an IELTS Revaluation
If, after thinking it over, you decide that you want to contest your IELTS score, here is what to do.
- Contact the Center Where You Took the Test
Your first step is to contact the center where you took the test. You will need to complete an Enquiry on Results (EOR) form (PDF). You can get this from the testing center. When you get in touch with the testing center, make sure to find out the cost of submitting an IELTS EOR. It changes depending on the testing center.Do not wait too long before doing this. You have to hand in a completed EOR within six weeks of taking the IELTS exam.
- Fill Out the Form and Include the Other Necessary Documents
Once you get the EOR, fill it out and give it back to the IELTS Administrator at the testing center. Be sure to state which sections you want revaluated. The cost and the time it takes to revaluate an exam does not change, no matter how many sections you want rescored. Therefore, unless a particular score seems surprisingly high to you, you will probably want them all revaluated. It is also wise to have as many sections as possible revaluated, because if any one of them is marked higher during the rescoring process, then your rescoring fee will be refunded.Along with the EOR, you will have to hand over your Test Result Form, which will not be returned to you until after your test is revaluated. Also be sure to include your payment.
Once you hand in your EOR, Test Report Form, and payment, everything will be sent to the IELTS offices in either England or Australia. The whole process takes between six and eight weeks.
- Receive the Results of the Rescoring
After your test is revaluated, the testing center where you took the IELTS will send you an email. This email will tell you whether your test results changed or stayed the same after the rescoring.If the scores remained the same, then you will receive your original Test Report Form back. However, if any section comes back with a different score, you will get a new Test Report Form from the testing center. If any of the section scores are higher than they were originally marked, you will get a new Test Report Form and your rescoring fee will be refunded to you.
A Final Word on IELTS Revaluation Success Rates
Can IELTS results be changed? While it’s challenging to determine an exact IELTS revaluation success rate, what we do know is that score increases on the IELTS are rare, though not impossible. And keep in mind, you will have to pay IELTS reevaluation fees if you’d like your score reassessed.
For more information about IELTS score reevaluation, check out the following resources The Magoosh IELTS Podcast episode, “What You Need to Know about Requesting an IELTS Rescore!”
Good luck!
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