IELTS One Skill Retake Feature Update: All You Need To Know

If you’re planning to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you need to know the newest feature that test-takers can take advantage of. IELTS test-takers can now retake any one of the four skills — listening, reading, writing or speaking, if they are not satisfied with their scores after their first attempt. 

IELTS One Skill Retake is currently accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and an increasing number of universities and institutions each month.

Warwick Freeland, Managing Director – IELTS, IDP Education, said this new option demonstrates IELTS’ commitment to helping customers achieve their best scores and to supporting organisations to attract the right candidates. “IELTS One Skill Retake improves fairness by providing an opportunity to retake a single skill if the test taker feels their original performance was not representative of their language proficiency level,” Mr Freeland said. “We are proud of this initiative that reinforces our commitment to helping test takers achieve their full potential.”

This facility is currently only available for computer-delivered IELTS (Academic and General Training). However, it gives test-takers a great chance to achieve their desired scores in one section, instead of having to re-attempt the entire test. The One Skill Retake facility can only be used once for each full IELTS attempt and the retake has to be within 60 days of the original test date. 

According to IDP, those who take this one skill retake will receive a second test report form with new scores that can be used for migration and study. They will also have the option to choose whether they want to use the old or new test report for the skill they retook.

It is important to note that this feature is still growing in recognition of migration and study. The organisation is working with governments and ministries to accept IELTS OSR worldwide. 

Each of the four sections of the test has specific patterns and rules. Before appearing for the exam, it is important to prepare well in advance. Even though test-takers are allowed to retake the exam any number of times, attempting IELTS without preparation is not a wise decision, as it is an expensive test to take in the first place.