Now that you’ve taken your International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, it is time to check your results. It may take between 3 and 13 days for the result to be ready.
The method of checking the result also differs, depending on the way you registered for the test.
How Long Does It Take to Get an IELTS Result?
It takes between 3 days and 2 weeks for the result to come out. Keep in mind that the method of taking the test has a role to play in this.
For candidates who took the test online, it takes between 6 and 8 days for the result to be ready. If you take the IELTS exam on a computer, it can take up to 5 days. For IELTS Life Skills, the duration is a week. The duo of IELTS on Paper and IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) take up to 13 days.
Note: the aforementioned durations of 3 to 13 days are only the timeframe when the results will be ready for preview. Candidates are advised not to use this for official purposes.
How to Check Your IELTS Results Online
The method of checking your results online depends on where you registered for it. Also, the process of checking it varies by platform.
What You Need to Check Your IELTS Result Online
You’d be able to access your results online only if you have the required details. These are what you need:
- Candidate Number: the number you used for your test.
- ID Number: the ID or passport number is the ID you used when signing up to take the test.
Checking Your IELTS Result through the British Council
If your registration for the test is through the British Council, the following steps are how to check your IELTS result online:
- Wait for the official email containing the steps to check the result.
- Follow the steps to the latter and get to view your scores.
Checking Your IELTS Scores in the USA
Candidates who took the test in the United States will receive an email with a link and directive on how to check the scores of the IELTS exam.
Checking the IELTS Score via IDP
Candidates who signed up for the test via IDP can access the result through the IDP account dashboard.
Sharing Your IELTS Online Results: What You Must Know
The results you find in your Test Taker portal are not shareable. They’re more view-only and not meant to be publicized. You can only use the result temporarily, as it is provisional.
The only result you can share is the official Test Report Form (TRF), which is offered to candidates who took the IELTS exam on paper. This can be collected at the test centre or sent directly to the institutions you’re applying to.
If you wish to share the online IELTS result, it must be done through the IELTS Results Service e-delivery. The following best practices apply:
- The result should only be shared with the organizations or institutions you’re applying to.
- Make sure that the institutions or organizations have the IELTS Results Service e-delivery as one of the ways they receive official IELTS scores.
Concluding Thoughts
The IELTS test is a viable way to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language, by meeting requirements or band score in the following: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
While the online results are provisional; you may still be able to share them with institutions or organizations you’re applying to. If you don’t wish to use the Test Taker portal for this purpose, consider the option of downloading the Electronic Version (eTRF) after 3-5 days of the test. You can then mail the same to the organizations or institutions you’re applying to.