The validity of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is two years. After this timeframe, you’re expected to retake the test to confirm your usage of and proficiency in the English language.
In this article, we discuss why the IELTS expires and what to do when that happens.
How Long Before IELTS Score Expires?
It takes twenty-four (24) months or 2 years from the time of issuance for the IELTS score to expire.
How to Extend the Validity of IELTS Score?
While two (2) years is the maximum for the score; you may be able to extend it. This is possible because of the different requirements per country.
In Australia, you’re free to extend the usage of the score to an extra year. This is because of the changes to the country’s GSM immigration program.
What Happens When IELTS Result Expires?
An expired score means that it won’t be officially recognized, going forward. To continue your proof of English language proficiency, it is imperative to retake the result.
You can retake it after two years or in the third year if you’re using it in Australia.
Why is there a Validity Period for IELTS?
This language testing system has a validity period because of these reasons:
Relevance Purposes
One of the ideas is to make it relevant. By introducing a timeframe, the creator and issuer want the test to not only be relevant but to be used as many times as possible.
A Means of Re-Authenticating the Users
As a user, there may be no other way to validate or confirm your proficiency in the English language other than through the IELTS (and other proficiency exams).
The idea is to create a means for the users to continually “prove” themselves, by retaking the test. Besides, your employer or academic institution may not fully determine if you’re a proficient English language user if you don’t get to take more tests over time.
Hence, by retaking the IELTS test after two or three years; you can now validate that your proficiency is still intact.
Retaking the IELTS Test: What You Need to Know
Once the previous score expires (after two or three years); be ready to retake the exam. This time, you need to keep the following in mind:
Strive to Improve on Previous IELTS Score
Always work hard to get a better result or score the next time you sit for the IELTS. By meeting the minimum band scores across Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading; you’re able to confirm that you’re a good English user.
Work on Your Second Language Loss
Also called Second-language Attrition; it has to do with the decline in any of the core English language skills.
Aim to work on the areas that you may have slacked in so your next IELTS score will be better.
Final Words
The score for an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) expires after 2 years or 3 years (for Australia). Sitting for another test and getting a higher score is a better way to solidify your English proficiency and usage.
In addition, consider reattempting the exam multiple times and submitting it to your employer or educational institution. This helps to serve as evidence that you have either tried to improve your English or actively maintained the score since taking the initial test.