Reschedule or Cancel Your IELTS Test: Life can be unpredictable - plans change, emergencies arise, or sometimes, you're just not ready to take the challenge. If you have already booked your IELTS exam, however, not ready to take the test yet. Do Not Worry! Your test can be postponed or cancelled. All you need to know is the process, steps, and related charges to do it.
As per the IELTS cancellation policy, test-takers can postpone their IELTS test at any time before their scheduled date by contacting the test centre. In this guide, we have compiled some major information detailing how the IELTS cancellation policy works, IELTS refund policies, and how IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) differs.
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IELTS allows candidates to reschedule or cancel their test under certain conditions and timelines. The postponement or cancellation policies vary depending on the IELTS exam types: IELTS on Paper, IELTS on Computer, or IELTS for UKVI or Life Skills.
Candidates are allowed to cancel or postpone their IELTS test online on the IDP official website or can contact their IELTS test centre for an offline process. Meanwhile, the refund and transfer policies may vary depending on the time of request.
Candidates can get a full refund of their IELTS exam fees if they cancel or reschedule their test more than five weeks in advance. However, an administrative fee will be deducted as per the policies.
If the cancellation or rescheduling request is made within five weeks, candidates are not eligible for a refund unless they have a valid medical reason. Candidates must submit a medical certificate within five days of the test to qualify for a refund. However, an administrative fee will be deducted as per the policies.
IELTS exam cancellation fee of INR 4,500 is charged including all taxes.
Cancellation fee for IELTS on Paper in India |
||
---|---|---|
Time of Cancellation Request |
Refund Amount |
Processing Time |
9 days or more before the test date |
INR 13,500 (inclusive of all taxes) |
Within 10–12 working days |
Less than 9 days before the test date |
INR 0 |
Not applicable |
The IELTS cancellation fee for a Computer-delivered test is INR 4,500 including all taxes.
Cancellation fee for IELTS on Computer in India |
||
---|---|---|
Cancellation Timeline |
Refund Amount |
Processing Time |
9 days or more before the test |
INR 13,500 (inclusive of all taxes) |
10–12 working days |
Less than 9 days before the test |
No refund |
Not applicable |
Candidates can reschedule or transfer their IELTS test date to another available slot within three months of the original date. If the candidate selects a new test date beyond three months, the test will automatically cancelled by the IDP and refunds will be processed as per the norms. Students must note that they are allowed to reschedule their IELTS test slot booking only once for a single test. IELTS Rescheduling Fees in India is presented in the below table:
IELTS Rescheduling Fees in India 2025 |
|
---|---|
IELTS Test Type |
Transfer Fee for IELTS |
IELTS on Computer for UKVI |
INR 4,550 |
IELTS on Computer |
INR 4,500 |
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) |
INR 4,250 |
IELTS on Paper for UKVI |
INR 4,550 |
IELTS on Paper |
INR 4,500 |
One Skill Retake (OSR) |
INR 3,000 |
The IELTS One Skill Retake allows candidates to retake one specific test section to improve their overall IELTS band scores. The cancellation and refund policy for OSR is slightly different from the complete test cancellation policy.
Candidates can cancel their IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) up to 72 hours before their scheduled session for a full refund. Any requests placed after 72 hours are not eligible for a full refund.
Candidates who applied for a cancellation within 48 hours can contact the test centre directly to check eligibility for refunds or transfers.
In case the candidates do not attend the IELTS OSR, they will not be allowed to apply for a refund. You can also not be eligible for a refund in case the institution does not accept OSR scores.
Candidates are eligible for a transfer or refund without administrative charges only in case of illness or emergency such as accident, bereavement, etc. However, candidates are required to submit complete documentation of their illness or emergency.
IELTS Reading Band Score | IELTS Listening Band Score |
IELTS Speaking Band Score | IELTS Writing Band Score |
Sometimes IELTS itself cancel or postpones the examination due to extreme weather, technical failures, or natural disasters. In such cases, test takers are offered a full refund or an option to reschedule. Meanwhile, all candidates are informed by the IELTS as early as possible.
Additionally, candidates can apply for special consideration for situations like civil unrest, domestic crisis, or serious illness with proper documentation to cancel or postpone their IELTS exam date.
If you have already appeared for the IELTS test, however, not happy with the IELTS results. IELTS allows you to retake the IELTS test whenever you feel prepared. Candidates will be required to rebook their test only after complete familiarity with the test format and scoring.
Candidates who feel their IELTS result does not reflect their performance can apply for an Enquiry on Results. In such cases, your test will be rechecked by the senior examiners. If your band score changes, you will receive a new Test Report Form and get a full refund of the EOR fee. Students who applied for the EOR should note that the result updates can take up to 21 days.
Certain Reschedule or Cancel Your IELTS Test rules may differ based on location. IELTS for UKVI or Life Skills tests follow separate guidelines specific to UK immigration requirements.
Candidates who are willing to participate in the IELTS exam must enroll in a course for preparation. Physics Wallah provides the best Online IELTS Course in India with a well-structured preparation plan and experienced faculties.