The first thing we recommend is contacting the test centre. We suggest that you email or phone them.
Keep in mind when you apply for the IELTS and complete the application form, you'll find the terms and conditions attached to the form. These terms and conditions contain three very important points which advise that your results may be withheld or cancelled.
The following points are found under the terms and conditions:
The IELTS Partners may not issue my result within 1-5 days after the test should they decide it is necessary to review any matter associated with my test or the administration of my test. To assist any investigation, I may be required to provide writing and speaking samples. In exceptional circumstances, I may be required to retake one or more IELTS skills.
This means that you may not receive your results after 1-5 days because IELTS needs to check the results more thoroughly. The two most common reasons are: 1) IELTS suspects malpractice or abnormalities or 2) IELTS is doing quality control checks on how the test was managed.
Your result may be cancelled after it has been issued if any irregularity is identified. You may be required to re-take one or more IELTS components.
This means if it's determined that there are any problems with your test, your results may be cancelled and you may need to take your test or parts of your test again. The term "irregularity" means something happened regarding your test or how it was managed which was not acceptable or usual.
If any of the data on the Test Report Form provided by you or your agent to Recognising Organisations has been altered in any way, your original test result may be cancelled.
This means that if it's determined that if any of the information given was altered, your result may be cancelled. Please be very careful when providing your information and only use reputable agents.
IELTS maintains the right to withhold your results for analysis or quality checks.
When you complete your application form, you agree to accept possible delays in your results. In the booking journey, you agree to the terms and conditions before completing the registration.
IELTS will email you if your results are withheld or cancelled. If you do not receive an email and cannot access your results, please check your spam or contact the centre where you took your test.
What can you do if your results are delayed?
If your results are delayed, you need to be patient and wait.
There is no fixed time limit. Some students will receive their results within a week or two, but other may have to wait a month or even up to 3 months.
Can you take your test again?
Yes, you can.
Retaking Your Test
If you don't want to, or can't wait, you can take your test again.
If you take more than one test, you can choose which result to use. It won't matter if you end up with two sets of results, you can pick the highest results.
Planning When to Take Your Test
When deciding what date you want to take your IELTS ensure that you have a few months before your deadline because unforeseen delays can occur.
How do you appeal the results of an investigation?
If your results are withheld after an investigation, you have the right to submit a request for reconsideration to Cambridge English and pay a fee within 21 days. Details of the steps to appeal the results of an investigation are set out on the Cambridge English website here.