What is special consideration in IELTS?

Special consideration is a process that allows test takers who are unable to attend or are disadvantaged on test day due to exceptional circumstances to apply for a test date transfer or, in some cases, a refund.

When can I apply for special consideration in IELTS?

You can apply if you are affected by circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or other serious events that prevent you from attending or performing normally in the test.

What situations qualify for IELTS special consideration?

Eligible situations may include traumatic experiences, domestic crises, unavoidable legal or military obligations, serious medical conditions, bereavement, civil unrest or extreme weather.

What happens if my application for special consideration is approved?

If approved, you may be allowed to transfer your test fee to a future test date or, in some cases, receive a refund.

How can I cancel or reschedule my IELTS test?

You can cancel or reschedule your test through the IELTS Test Taker Portal or by contacting your test centre directly.

Can I appeal a decision on my special consideration request?

Yes, if you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal by following the official complaints procedure provided by your test centre.

What happens if the test centre cancels my IELTS test?

If your test is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the test centre’s control, such as extreme weather, natural disasters or civil unrest, you will be offered either a full refund or a transfer to a future test date.

Will I be notified if my IELTS test is cancelled or postponed?

Yes, your test centre will provide as much notice as possible and inform you of your options, including rescheduling or receiving a refund.

What other reasons can lead to IELTS test cancellation?

Tests may also be cancelled or postponed due to technical failures, venue issues, environmental factors or other unforeseen circumstances.

Special consideration owing to exceptional circumstances

On rare occasions, there may be instances where you are unable to attend your test or are disadvantaged on the test day owing to illness, injury, or another exceptional event outside your control.

In these cases, you may make an application to your test centre for special consideration due to exceptional circumstances. This will allow you to carry over your test fee to a later assessment opportunity or, in some cases, apply for a refund.

Special consideration includes instances such as:

a traumatic experience
domestic crisis
unavoidable legal or military obligation
serious medical conditions which prevent you from attending or performing normally on the test day
bereavement or other forms of significant hardship
civil unrest or extreme weather.

Young woman standing on a quiet European city street.

How to cancel or reschedule your IELTS test

Always use the IELTS Test Taker Portal or contact your test centre to cancel or reschedule your test. Here’s how to cancel or reschedule online:

Reach out to us

You can apply for special consideration before the test, and up to two calendar days after the test date. However, applications for special consideration will not be accepted after your results have been released.

Let us know why

You need to contact your test centre directly and provide full information as to why you qualify for special consideration with supporting evidence. Your test centre will assess your application and will respond to you within seven working days of receiving your full application in writing, during which time your results will be put on hold until a decision is finalised.

Refund or transfer

If your test centre approves your application, you will receive a refund or transfer. In some cases, this will be subject to an administrative fee. Please be aware that refunds can take four to six weeks to process. Note that there will be no adjustment to band scores.

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Wish to appeal against a decision?

If you would like to appeal against a decision made following an application for special consideration, please follow our complaints procedure.

View full procedure

Special circumstances

Under certain circumstances outside of test centre control, we may have to cancel your test and transfer it to a future date. These circumstances include, but may not be limited to, extreme weather conditions, natural disaster, civil unrest, industrial action, global pandemic or for reasons of force majeure.

In these circumstances, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of either a full refund, or a transfer to a future test date – whichever you prefer.

If your test is cancelled or postponed due to other circumstances such as technical failure, venue or environmental factors, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of a refund or a transfer to a future test.