IELTS result is released just a few days after the exam. The dates vary depending on the exam mode. The computer-based IELTS result is announced within 3-5 days of the exam. On the other hand, paper-based IELTS result is released 13 days after the test date.
IELTS results for both modes of the test are available online. To check your result, you must visit the official website of IELTS IDP and log in with your credentials.
IELTS scores are released as IELTS TRF or Test Report Form and remain valid for two years.
IELTS Result Check
There are two ways to access your IELTS results: online and via SMS.
Result via SMS is an exclusive service to IELTS IDP test-takers. To avail of this service, you must sign the IDP IELTS SMS agreement form when you give your Speaking test.
The SMS does not count as an official legal document of your scores and is only sent to you for information purposes.
You can find the complete breakdown of your IELTS results by logging into your official IELTS IDP account and viewing your IELTS TRF.
IELTS TRF
The IELTS Test Report Form is a mark sheet containing your scores for individual sections of IELTS and your overall score. You get only one IELTS TRF unless you’re applying to Immigration & Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in which case, you’re entitled to two IELTS TRFs.
Universities accept this official documentation of your scores during admission as proof of English language proficiency, as do employers during recruitment. IELTS TRF is valid for two years from the date of the exam.
An IELTS TRF contains your details, such as your name, date of birth, nationality and a photograph. Below, you will find the score for each section of IELTS and an overall IELTS band score.
One important element of the IELTS TRF is the TRF number, which is unique to all users. Here’s a sample TRF:
The timeframe for receiving IELTS TRF is as shown below.
| Mode/Type of IELTS | Timeframe for result |
| IELTS paper-based | 13 days |
| IELTS computer-based | 3-5 days |
| IELTS UKVI | 13 days |
| IELTS life skills | 7 days |
Step-By-Step Process for IELTS TRF Download
If you have registered through IELTS IDP, you can view your IELTS result by logging into your IDP account.
You may be asked to fill out personal information such as your full name, date of birth and candidate number.
Steps to download IELTS TRF from IDP website:
- Log into your IELTS IDP account.
- Find the download result option. Sometimes, an auto-pop-up will lead you to the score section.
- You can find and download your eTRF or Electronic Test Report Form in PDF format.
What is IELTS ATRF?
IELTS ATRF stands for Additional Test Report Form. As the name implies, these are additional copies of the TRF. Anything apart from the first copy of your TRF is referred to as ATRF.
The first five copies of ATRF are completely free. Anything more than five copies requires an additional fee of ₹250.
How to Send IELTS Scores to Universities?
IELTS sends five additional copies of your TRF to universities on your behalf, completely free of cost. You can select these universities during the registration.
If you have more copies of ATRFs, you must pay an administrative fee of ₹250 per university.
Here’s how you can do that:
- Visit the official IELTS IDP website and log into your IDP account
- Select the “ADD TRF” option
- Select the universities you wish to send your scores to
- Choose the mode of delivery
- Pay the administrative fee
You can apply for a maximum of five ATRFs per day.
A while ago, IELTS offered a few options for sending IELTS scores to universities, including couriers and speed post. However, these delivery modes have been stopped, and universities currently only accept IELTS scores electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I get the IELTS TRF online?
A. Yes, you can access your IELTS TRF online. To view, login to your IELTS IDP account. Find the IELTS score section, and you will see an option to download your eTRF. You can also pick up a hard copy at the IDP test centre, but you will need your details and ID proof.
Q. How much does IELTS TRF cost?
A. IELTS sends the first 5 ATRFs to universities absolutely free of cost. If you wish to have more ATRFs, you must pay an additional charge of ₹250 per university. You can apply for additional TRFs by logging into your IELTS IDP account and visiting the score section. You will see an ADD TRF option.
Q. Does IELTS send TRF by post?
A. No, not anymore. IELTS sent TRF to universities by different modes, including post. However, post-covid, IELTS only sends an electronic version of the TRF online. This has many benefits, including instant approval of delivery mode, lower cost, easy tracking and shorter delivery time.
How to calculate IELTS Band Score?
You get awarded a score between 0-9 for every section of IELTS. The average of these scores is considered your overall score.
Your overall score can be whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 6.5, 7.5, 8.5). If your average is not a whole or half score, it will be rounded to the nearest whole or half score.
Example:
Consider the following IELTS scores.
Listening: 7.5
Reading: 6.5
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 7.0
Average Calculation
Formula: (sum of scores) / 4 (total number of scores) = average score
(7.5 + 6.5 + 6.0 + 7.0) / 4 = 27 / 4 = 6.75
Since 6.75 is not precise, it will be rounded off to 7.0, which will be your overall IELTS band score.
What do your IELTS band scores mean?
- Every number between 0-9 carries a value. Based on the score you receive, universities and employers are able to understand your English proficiency.
- A score between 0-3 usually means your English language skills need a lot of improvement, and you may need help communicating with the locals.
- A score between 4-5 shows that you have a basic understanding of English, though you may struggle to communicate your ideas and make productive conversations.
Note: Very few universities accept scores between 0-5 for admissions.
- If your score is between 6 and 7, your English language skills are good enough. It means you can easily manage to communicate your thoughts and ideas. This scoring range is ideal for university applications abroad.
- Anything above 8 is an excellent score, indicating your English is great. A score like this can get you into top universities, considering you have met the other prerequisites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to calculate the IELTS band score?
A. You can calculate your IELTS band score by taking the average of your individual band scores. To find the average, divide the sum of all your scores by 4. Scores can only be whole or half, so if your score is partial, you can round it off to the nearest whole or half score. Example: 5.8 will be rounded off to 6.0
Q. How to calculate band score in IELTS Reading?
A. To calculate your band score for IELTS reading, you must compare your raw scores (the number of questions answered correctly out of 40) with the band score range. Example: 27 out of 40 questions give you a band score of 6.5. Refer to our IELTS band score section for detailed calculation.
Q. What is considered a poor score for IELTS?
A. Generally, scoring below 5.0 on the IELTS band scale is often considered a low score. If you’re taking IELTS for admission, you will need an IELTS score of at least 6.0 for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate courses. Anything above 7 is considered a great score, and it’s easier to get into universities with this.
IELTS EOR
If unsatisfied with your IELTS scores, you always request a recheck or re-marking. This process is called IELTS Enquiry on Result or IELTS EOR. IELTS assigns a team of senior evaluators who haven’t seen your scores before to conduct this process.
The fee for requesting an IELTS remark or IELTS EOR in India is below.
| IELTS Paper-based | ₹12,200 |
| IELTS Computer-based | ₹12,200 |
| IELTS UKVI | ₹12,375 |
| IELTS Life-skills | ₹11,525 |
You receive a full refund of the EOR fee if your scores are increased during the remarking process.
Timeframe to submit an EOR request within six weeks of your test date.
How to request IELTS EOR?
- Login to your IELTS IDP account and find the EOR tab
- Under the tab, click on “Apply now” and fill out the form
- Select the sections you would like to be remarked on
- You will receive an invoice in 2 business days
- You can complete the payment through the link provided in the email
- You will receive your re-evaluated result in 2-21 business days
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it good to apply for EOR in IELTS?
A. You can apply for an EOR in IELTS if you are unhappy with your results. However, note that the IELTS results remain unchanged 50% of the time. Even if it changes, it’s typically only by a 0.5 band score. Still, if you strongly feel you deserve a better score, go ahead and apply for remarking. IELTS scores do not decrease during remarking. It can only increase or stay the same.
Q. What is the deadline to apply for IELTS EOR?
A. If you wish to apply for an EOR, you must do it within six weeks of the test date. Any later than that will not be considered. You get your revaluation result between 2 to 21 days, depending on the centre and sections chosen.
Q. What’s the fee for IELTS EOR or remarking?
A. It costs ₹12,200 for IELTS paper-based and computer-based tests. The fee for IELTS UKVI is ₹12,375, and for IELTS life skills is ₹11,525. This fee will be fully refunded if your scores increase during revaluation.
Frequently asked questions
What time are IELTS results released?
IELTS paper-based results are released 13 days after the test date, and the timings may vary. IELTS computer-based test results are released 3-5 days after the test. The timings vary based on the location and test centre. Both these test results are released online and via SMS.
How many students fail IELTS?
The IELTS exam does not have a pass-or-fail system. Instead, it assigns a band score between 0 and 9 to each part (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) and an overall band score. Anything less than 5 is considered a low score. The majority of IELTS test takers score between 6.0-7.0.
Is 6.5 a good IELTS result?
6.5 is an ideal IELTS score for university applications. Popular countries like the USA, UK or Canada need an IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate and a 6.5 for post-graduate studies. Top universities like Yale, Harvard or Oxford will require a higher score, typically 7 and above. If you’re applying for Immigration purposes, the score may vary depending on the country, but 6.5 is enough to apply.
Can I get Canada PR with 6.5 IELTS?
Yes, 6.5 is a good score to get Canada PR. The minimum requirement for Canada PR is 6.0. However, Canada considers from than just English proficiency. So it’s best to check all the requirements before you apply.
Can I retake the IELTS exam?
You can retake the test if you’re unhappy with your IELTS scores. You can retake the test as many times as you want. The regular fee charges apply every time you retest. You can also apply for a revaluation of your scores if you’re confident you should get more. IELTS has announced a one-skill retake, which allows candidates to take up any one section of IELTS, but it has yet to be released in India.
What is the validity of the IELTS result?
The validity period of IELTS results is generally two years from the test date. After two years, the scores are considered outdated and may not be accepted by institutions or organisations. Before applying to universities, check the validity of your IELTS TRF. It is also important to check with the university if they have specific validity requirements.
Why can't I see my IELTS results?
IELTS results may vary with test centres, but if your results are delayed beyond the typical dates, IELTS is rechecking your scores. Sometimes delays also happen because IELTS is doing a check on how the test was managed at the centre. In case of any discrepancies, IELTS might cancel and ask you to retest.
Is there a negative marking in IELTS?
No, there is no negative marking on the IELTS test. However, note that the number of correct answers determines your band score. It’s safer to attempt all questions even if you are unsure of the answers.
Can I go to Canada with a 5 band score?
Very few universities in Canada accept an IELTS score of 5, as it is considered a low score. In this case, it is best to retake the test or look for universities that accept applications without an IELTS score to broaden your chances of admission. A handful of Canadian universities accept a score of 5.5 and above. This list includes the University of Alberta, Canadore College and Brock University.
How long does it take to get TRF?
The date of the results depends on the test centres. As per our observation, major cities usually take a while. However, smaller cities typically release dates sooner, owing to a smaller population of test takers.
| Mode/Type of IELTS | Timeframe for result |
| IELTS paper-based | 13 days |
| IELTS computer-based | 3-5 days |
How long does it take to get IELTS UKVI result?
The results for the paper-based test are usually available within 13 calendar days from the test date, while results for the computer-based tests are typically available within 3 to 5 calendar days. The timeframe to receive the IELTS UKVI results is generally the same as the regular IELTS test.