Most IELTS test results are available after 2 weeks at the most. However, there are some unique circumstances when your results might be delayed. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind why such delays occur and how you can avoid any unwanted hassles if this happens to you. The information below is useful for students from Singapore and anywhere else where the IELTS exam is offered.
How Will I Know If My IELTS Test Results Have Been Delayed?
The British council or IDP will inform you via email if your results have been delayed. There are three possible reasons behind this, and the details of this are made clear in a separate form when you apply for taking the IELTS test. Most of us skip through much of the technical jargon whenever we apply for anything online, but it’s crucial in this case to familiarise yourself with the reasons behind the delay. Doing so can help you plan the optimal time to actually book your test, by allowing for enough time to meet your application deadlines in case of any unforeseen delays.
First Condition For Delayed IELTS Results
Your results will be delayed if it has been sent for further rechecking. This usually occurs when there is a difference of two bands between your lowest and highest individual score. It’s highly unlikely that, for example, a candidate who scores 7 in writing will score below a 5 in another component. Scores like these actually put both the examiner and the test taker under scrutiny. In such cases, your test will be rechecked by another examiner at the same test centre for quality control purposes, which means that your results might be withheld or delayed.
Second Condition For Delayed IELTS Results
The IELTS test partners, i.e. the British Council and the IDP also delay IELTS results if there is any discrepancy found regarding the management of your IELTS tests. This is done in order to uphold the tests high standards of integrity since these discrepancies might have affected your test score in some way. Unfortunately in these cases, candidates might have to resit the IELTS exam or at least some part of it.
Third Condition For Delayed IELTS Results
If for whatever reason the information present on your test report form (TRF) has been found to have been tampered with or altered in any way. The co-hosts of the test, take such matters extremely seriously and your IELTS test result may be cancelled.
There is no set time for when delayed IELTS results are released and they can be given anywhere from a week to up to a month later. This is why it is important to book your test well in advance of your anticipated university or visa application deadlines. This can avoid the stress of having to wait and hope that your delayed test results arrive in time to meet these deadlines.