How do I reschedule or cancel my IELTS test?
Need to change or cancel your IELTS test date? Here we explain how the British Council IELTS cancellation and reschedule process works, including refunds, deadlines and special circumstances.
British Council IELTS test cancellation
You can cancel your IELTS test online or via your test centre any time before test day. Refund terms depend on when you cancel and whether exceptional circumstances apply.
If you cancel your test, your refund depends on how early you cancel. Find out more about refunds and eligibility for special circumstances.
If you are eligible for a refund, it will be processed and returned via the same payment method you used when booking your test.
Check local regulations, as your country may have consumer protection laws that give you additional IELTS cancellation or refund rights.
If your test centre cancels your test, you will be offered the choice of a refund or a new test date.
IELTS test cancellations: Exceptional circumstances
If you are ill or have a personal emergency on your test date, you may need to cancel your test. In this scenario, you can submit a case for ‘exceptional circumstances’ to your test centre.
Rescheduling your British Council IELTS test
You can transfer your IELTS test once, at any time before test day. Transfers within a certain time from your test date may be treated as a cancellation.
You must choose a new test date within three months of your original test date. Availability will depend on your test type, format and location.
You need to give at least 14 days' notice to transfer your test date. 14 days or less will be treated as a cancellation.
Your test centre may charge an administration fee (up to 25% of the total test fee) for a transfer. Contact your test centre for fee details.
Test takers can reschedule their test once per booking. If you have any queries, please contact your test centre.
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 the test online:
Use the same login details you used when booking your test
Follow the on-screen instructions and confirm your request
Upload any evidence you want us to consider for a refund
Keep a copy of the confirmation for your records
IELTS test cancellations and transfers: FAQs
You can cancel your IELTS test within the terms and conditions provided by the British Council. Find out more about the IELTS test cancellation policy here (opens in a new tab).
You can reschedule your IELTS test within the terms and conditions provided by the British Council. Find out more about the IELTS test rescheduling policy here.
You may need to pay a penalty depending on the amount of notice you give. Read our Cancellations and Refunds policy for more information.
If you are absent on test day and do not tell the test centre in advance, you will lose your fee. However, if you are sick and you provide a medical certificate within two calendar days of the test, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative fee.
Refunds are returned to your original payment method. Processing times vary by country and test centre. Check your local British Council IELTS website for details.