Green IELTS transfer and cancellation icon.

Re-scheduling and IELTS cancellation policy for those affected by Covid-19

Please note: This is the policy for IELTS (Academic and General Training), you can find the IELTS for UKVI cancellation and refund policy here.

Make sure you read and accept the IELTS test terms and conditions when you register for the test. 

The terms and conditions contain important information, including details of:

  • test day arrangements
  • what you can take into the test room
  • the rules you must follow
  • test security
  • what you can expect from the results process
  • IELTS cancellation policy and IELTS refund policy
  • how we use your information.

When you sign the application form declaration, you are confirming that you have read and understood the IELTS test terms and conditions and agree to abide by them.

IELTS test cancellation policy

IIf you wish to postpone or cancel your IELTS on paper application, please check the regulations of the official test centres where you are applying.

If you require special arrangements, please check the special arrangements page.

Candidate may cancel the test: 

・ Five days before the scheduled test date  – candidate will be eligible for a refund of 75% of the test fee

・Less than five days before the scheduled test date  – candidate will not be eligible for a refund, except in the exceptional circumstances stated below.

  • Distress on test day
  • Domestic or family
  • Government mandated obligation
  • Medical or bereavement (such as hospital admission or a major injury or loss of a close family member)
  • Wider civil disruption

*To apply for any of these special considerations, you are required to submit the official certificate within 5 working days of your test date.

*If a medical certificate confirming illness on the date of the test is provided within five working days of the test date, together with the submitted cancellation request on the Test Taker Portal or Refund Application Form, the fee is refundable, minus an administration fee of 25% of the test fee.Only medical certificates in local language or English are accepted. If we have not received your submitted cancellation request along with an upload of supporting documentation/evidence on the Test Taker Portal, or the Refund Application Form by the fifth working day after the test, you will be marked as absent and forfeit all claims.Please note that we do not accept sick notes issued by family members.

To cancel your IELTS (Academic and General Training) test, please log in to the Test Taker Portal and submit a cancellation request, along with an upload of supporting documentation/evidence.

To cancel your IELTS for UKVI or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, please visit the How to book an IELTS for UKVI test? page.

Requesting a test day transfer

If you need to change the date of your test from the date you originally booked, you can request a test day transfer up to five weeks before the test date, free of charge.

Please note that the new test date must be within three months of the original date. In cases of illness, transfer is possible within five weeks of the test if an original medical certificate is provided within three working days of the test date, together with the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form.

If you receive a transfer to a new test date (either before the test or due to illness) and you are ill on the second test date, then you are not entitled to a refund of the test fee nor to any further transfer to a new test date.

Please note: 

As an added measure to enhance IELTS test security, all participants will be required to have their photograph taken by IELTS administrative staff on their test day. Please make sure that you review the instructions supplied to you after you have booked your test.

Find out about our special arrangements for those with disabilities or learning difficulties.

Test centre exceptions

Under certain circumstances outside test centre control, we may have to cancel your test. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, extreme weather conditions, natural disaster, civil unrest, industrial action technical problems, issues at the venue or other types of disruption or disturbance in the local environment. In these circumstances, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of either below. 

The British Council is not liable for any losses you incur as a result of test cancellation.

A full refund*, or; 
A transfer to a future test date.
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