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IELTS Remark – What you should know and what you should do

Not achieving the desired IELTS score? Take a moment to read this and discover how an IELTS Remark might help you turn things around.

Not achieving the desired IELTS score? Take a moment to read this and discover how an IELTS Remark might help you turn things around.

What is an IELTS Remark?

An IELTS Remark is a process through which you can request a review of your exam results if you believe you should have received a higher mark or suspect an error in the scoring. It allows you to challenge the original assessment by asking examiners to re-evaluate your performance for a fee.

There are three possible outcomes from an IELTS Remark: increased score, unchanged score, or decreased score.

Realistically, only about 1% of remark requests result in a decreased score, so most students can expect either an increased score or the maintenance of their original score.

When should you consider an IELTS Remark?

1. You have invested time and effort into preparation but received a lower score compared to previous attempts.

If you have dedicated significant effort to improving your IELTS skills, using resources like our free tests, and noticed progress in your mock exam scores, it might be worth considering a remark if your official IELTS test did not reflect the expected improvement.

2. You feel confident about your performance during the exam, but the outcome is lower than anticipated.

You may have had a positive experience with the speaking examiner, exhibiting fluency, minimal grammatical errors, clear logic, and accurate use of vocabulary and sentence structures. Furthermore, you sought feedback from others on your writing and felt comfortable while composing the essay. If you still receive a lower mark than expected, requesting a remark is worth considering.

3. Substantial score discrepancies among the four modules.

If you have evenly prepared for all four IELTS modules (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing), it is unusual to observe a significant gap of more than 2 points between the highest and lowest scores. For example, if your reading score is 7 while your writing score is 4.5, improving one area should positively impact the other three. If this discrepancy resonates with your situation, pursuing a remark might be beneficial.

Three Important Considerations before Requesting a Remark

1. What is the cost?

The fee for an IELTS Remark varies among test centers, so it is advisable to inquire at the center where you took the exam.

The cost remains the same regardless of whether you request a remark for a single module or all four. If any of your module scores change, the remark fee will be refunded.

2. When can you request a remark?

You must apply for an IELTS Remark within four weeks of receiving your IELTS scores. The re-evaluation process typically takes up to six weeks.

3. What is the process?

a. After receiving your IELTS score, submit your remark application online.

b. Allow up to six weeks for the examiners to complete the remark.

c. Receive the updated IELTS result, which will either show an increased score or maintain the original score (a decreased score is highly unlikely).

d. If your score has changed, you will receive a new IELTS certificate, and the remark fee will be refunded.

One additional aspect to consider

While requesting a remark and the potential for a higher score may seem appealing, it is essential to factor in the time cost.

During the remark period, you cannot use your IELTS score for university applications or visa purposes. Therefore, if you require your IELTS score in the near future, it is advisable not to pursue a remark. Delaying a few weeks to obtain a new IELTS score could result in missed opportunities to secure admission to your dream university.

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