What is IELTS One Skill Retake, and how does it work?

IELTS One Skill Retake is a new feature designed to help you get your desired test score without retaking the full test. If you want to improve your score on one test skill, you can retake any of the four IELTS skills – Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking.

IELTS One Skill Retake is available for  

  • IELTS Academic and General Training on computer
  • IELTS for UKVI (Academic and General Training) on computer

Benefits of taking IELTS One Skill Retake

  • Focus on one skill: If you didn’t do your best in the first test, One Skills Retake gives you a second chance to show your English level and improve your score in one section without having to retake the full test. Save time and money by only doing the part of the test related to one skill rather than testing all four skills again.
  • Take a test, you know: IELTS One Skill Retake follows the same format and timing as the regular IELTS test. This means you will already be familiar with the test. You don’t need to worry about preparing for a new exam and learning different task types.
  • Receive a new Test Report Form: You will receive a new IELTS Test Report Form with your IELTS One Skill Retake score. It also includes the scores from your original test and an overall CEFR score. Your results will be valid for two years from the original test date, which you can find on your Test Report Form.
  • Your original test scores will remain the same: There will be no change to your other scores from your original test. And once you’ve received your results, if you would prefer to use your original score, you can.

Conditions to book IELTS One Skill Retake

    • You can book the test if you’ve recently completed a full IELTS on computer test.
    • You must also have received your results from a test centre that offers IELTS One Skill Retake.
    • You can only retake one skill once per original test, and you must sit the One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test.
    • To book One Skill retake, just log into the Test Taker Portal and you will see your IELTS results. If you would like to improve one result, simply click on the 'Retake' button for the skill you want to retake.

Frequently asked questions

What is IELTS One Skill Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake is a new feature that allows you to improve your original IELTS test score without repeating the full test. You can, instead, retake one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) and show your true potential. 

IELTS One Skill Retake is available to students who have taken full IELTS Academic or General Training tests on computer.

How much does IELTS One Skill Retake cost?

The cost of IELTS One Skill Retake may vary depending on your location. Please get in touch with your local test centre for further information.

Where is the One Skill Retake available and who is eligible for it?

To be eligible for the One Skill Retake, you must have recently completed a full IELTS on computer test and have received your results from a test centre that offers One Skill Retake.

How often can I complete the IELTS One Skill Retake?

You can only complete the One Skill Retake once per full IELTS test.

When must I complete the IELTS One Skill Retake?

You must sit the One Skill Retake within 60 days from your original test date.

What is the format and timing of IELTS One Skill Retake?

You can retake any one section of the IELTS test, whether it’s Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking. The format and timing of that IELTS One Skill Retake test is the same as that individual skill in a normal IELTS test, only you can save time by not needing to complete the other three skills.

How will I receive my results?

 You will receive a new IELTS Test Report Form containing your One Skill Retake score. It also includes the scores from your original test and an overall CEFR score. You can then decide whether to use your new or old score.

How do I know if an organisation accepts IELTS One Skill Retake?

Check the organisation's website to which you are applying, or go to IELTS.org  to view those organisations accepting IELTS One Skill Retake.

Is IELTS One Skill Retake available for the UKVI test?

UKVI is accepting IELTS One Skill Retake for IELTS Academic and General Training tests on computer in selected locations.

When will the option for IELTS One Skill Retake for the paper based test be available?

At present, IELTS One Skill Retake is only available on computer in selected test centres, in selected countries.  We are continuing to roll IELTS One Skill Retake out to test centres in more countries. In future, we expect to make IELTS One Skill Retake available to those who have taken the paper based test, and we will let test takers know when this option is made available.