IELTS One Skill Retake Guide | Generated by AI
Question: How does the IELTS single-subject retake (One Skill Retake) work, including the 60-day rule?
Answer:
IELTS One Skill Retake (also called single skill retake or 单科重考) allows you to retake only one of the four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking — instead of the entire test, if you want to improve your score in that specific area.
Key Rules and How It Works
- Eligibility requirements:
- Your original test must have been a computer-delivered IELTS (Academic or General Training; paper-based is not eligible in most/current cases).
- The original test must have been taken at a test center that offers One Skill Retake.
- You must book and complete the retake within 60 days (calendar days) of your original test date.
- You can only do One Skill Retake once per original full test (no multiple attempts on the same test sitting).
- The retake must be taken in the same country as the original test.
- 60-day rule explanation:
- The 60-day window starts from the date of your original full IELTS test.
- You must sit (not just book) the One Skill Retake within those 60 days.
- If you miss the 60-day period, you cannot use this option and would need to take a completely new full IELTS test.
- Process:
- Take the full computer-based IELTS and receive your results.
- Log in to your test taker portal (on the British Council, IDP, or IELTS official site).
- If eligible, you will see an option to book One Skill Retake.
- Choose the one skill you want to retake, select a date within the 60-day window, pay the fee (usually lower than a full test; exact amount varies by country/center), and confirm.
- Take the retake (same format, timing, and difficulty level as the original section).
- Receive results in about 3–5 days.
- Results and validity:
- You get a new Test Report Form (TRF) showing:
- The updated score for the retaken skill.
- Your original scores for the other three skills.
- A new overall band score (recalculated).
- The TRF will indicate that it includes a One Skill Retake.
- Validity remains 2 years from the original test date (not from the retake date).
- If your retake score is lower, the new (lower) score applies — there is no option to keep the original if it was higher in that skill.
- Most organizations accept it (check with your university/immigration authority), but a few may have restrictions.
- You get a new Test Report Form (TRF) showing:
This option saves time and money compared to retaking the full test, especially if only one skill was holding you back.
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