What happens if you do not achieve the International English Language System (IELTS) scores required of you to move forward with your university or immigration requirements. You might consider re-evaluating or rechecking your score. There are plenty of theories floating around the internet about IELTS result re-evaluation and in this article, we will separate fact vs fiction regarding requesting an enquiry on your results. This information pertains to both test-takers from Singapore and other parts of the world.
Who Can Request An Enquiry On Results?
If an IELTS candidate is not satisfied with the test scores obtained in the IELTS test report form, then they are well within their rights to request that their test be remarked or ‘re-scored’.
This can be done for another additional fee at the British Council or IDP education, depending on who you booked you booked your test with. The re-evaluation application or enquiry on results form can be found on the official IELTS website. Candidates need to submit the required paperwork via email or in person at their IELTS test centre to begin the process of having your score reviewed by another examiner in the United Kingdom. Test takers need to complete this process within six weeks of their test date. The average fee for this process is around $100. The fee for this service will be partially reimbursed if your test results increase.
You can also choose to have just one test component rechecked or all four, and the fee is the same either way. You reviewed test scores will usually be available after 20 days.
Is It Worth Having Your IELTS Test Score Re-Evaluated?
It is important to note that the changes in scores will not be very drastic, maybe the difference between a half-band or so. Therefore the option of remarking should only be considered in genuine cases where you have just barely missed your required IELTS score.
It is also not really worth having your listening or reading scores rechecked, since these scores depend on fixed answers, and there is really no leeway in between. Remember that for the reading and listening tests your raw score out of 40 is converted to a band score between 0 to 9 meaning that for your score to change in these tests the examiner would have had to miss multiple correct answers. That highly unlikely to happen.
It’s a little different for the writing and speaking components of the test since these are subjective and different examiners can have slightly different opinions. However, since these examiners are highly trained and bound to use the same band descriptors for reference, its highly unlikely that your scores will increase by more than half a band.
Can My score Decrease?
If you opt for a re-evaluation, your IELTS test scores will only ever increase or stay the same. It will not be lowered under any circumstances.
You will probably not see a score change. Instead of asking for a re-score, the smarter thing to do is to spend that money on a course and use it to learn strategies that will guarantee you a better score next time.