IELTS Results: When and How to Get Your Score

Quick Answer: IELTS results are typically released 13 days after your paper-based test (for computer-delivered tests, it's 3–5 days). You can check them online via the IDP or British Council portal with your candidate number and passport/ID. Your official Test Report Form (TRF) is sent to you by mail or available for pickup. Scores are valid for 2 years.

Table of Contents

When Do IELTS Results Come Out?

How to Check IELTS Results Online

Getting Your Official Test Report Form (TRF)

IDP vs British Council: Differences in Result Release

What If You Lost Your IELTS Results?

Band Score Comparison Table: What Each Score Means

Sample Answers: Band 7, 8, 9

Common Mistakes Students Make

Top Tips for Getting Your Results Quickly

FAQ

Key Takeaways

When Do IELTS Results Come Out?

The release date depends on the test format and the type of IELTS you took.

Test Format	Result Release Date
Paper-based IELTS	13 days after the test date
Computer-delivered IELTS	3–5 days after the test date
IELTS Life Skills	7 days after the test date
IELTS for UKVI	Same as above (paper: 13 days; computer: 3–5 days)

Results are released at 12:00 AM (midnight) Indian Standard Time on the release day. For the UK and other time zones, it’s typically 12:00 AM local time. Important: You cannot get your results earlier than the official release date. No exceptions.

How to Check IELTS Results Online

Both IDP and British Council offer online result portals. Follow these steps:

Go to the official result portal:

- IDP: https://results.ielts.idp.com - British Council: https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/CheckResults.aspx

Enter your details:

- Candidate number (found on your test day admission letter) - Passport number or national ID number (the same one you used at the test centre) - Date of birth

Click "Get Results." Your scores will appear instantly.

Tip: Save the page as a PDF or take a screenshot for your records. The online result is not an official document – it’s for your reference only.

Getting Your Official Test Report Form (TRF)

Your Test Report Form (TRF) is the official, stamped document proof of your scores. Here’s how to get it:

Method	Description
Post/courier	Sent to your home address (free). Usually arrives 2–5 days after online release.
Pick-up from centre	Available at your test centre (usually the next business day after online release).
E-TRF	Some centres offer electronic TRFs for direct sharing with institutions (e.g., universities).

If you need urgent TRF: Choose fast courier (pay extra) or pick it up in person. Sharing with universities/organisations: Many institutions now accept electronic TRFs sent directly from IDP/BC. You can request this during registration or after results are released.

IDP vs British Council: Differences in Result Release

Both organisations follow the same timeframes, but there are small differences:

11px] tracking-[0.18em] text-muted-foreground uppercase font-semibold">Aspect	IDP	British Council
Online portal	[results.ielts.idp.com	British Council portal
Email notification	Yes, if you opt in during registration	Yes, usually automatic
Phone notification	Not available	Not available
Early release	No (strictly 13 days/3–5 days)	No
Multiple TRF copies	Usually 1 free + more for a fee	Similar
E-TRF sharing	Yes, with many universities	Yes, widely supported

Bottom line: The process is nearly identical. Choose the test centre that’s most convenient for you.

What If You Lost Your IELTS Results?

If you lost your TRF, you have a few options:

Request a duplicate TRF (from the test centre where you took IELTS). This costs around ₹1,500–₹2,500 (varies by country). Duplicates are sent directly to institutions, not to you.

Use your TRF number – Many universities and immigration authorities can verify your scores using the TRF number online. You can find this number on your original TRF or by logging into your test account.

Order an extra TRF – If you need a physical copy for yourself, you can order an extra TRF (about ₹1,000–₹2,000).

Note: IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. After that, you cannot get a duplicate.

Band Score Comparison Table: What Each Score Means

Band	What Examiner Wants	Typical Use
6	Competent user – can cope with some complex language, but makes mistakes.	Some universities accept Band 6.0–6.5 for foundation/pre-sessional courses.
7	Good user – operational command of language, occasional inaccuracies.	Most top universities require 7.0 overall (e.g., UK, Australia, Canada).
8	Very good user – fully operational, only rare unsystematic inaccuracies.	Highly competitive courses (e.g., medicine, law) and professional registration.
9	Expert user – fully operational command, appropriate, accurate, fluent.	Typically not required for admission, but shows mastery.

Sample Answers: Band 7, 8, 9

Question: Describe a time you had to wait for something important. Band 7 Answer: "I waited for my IELTS results for two weeks after the paper test. I felt quite anxious because I needed the score for university admission. Every day I checked the portal, but it wasn't ready. Finally, on the 13th day at midnight, I saw my score. I scored 7.5 overall. I was relieved because it met the requirements." Why Band 7: Good fluency, some linking words, but minor vocabulary repetition (e.g., "score" used 3 times). Band 8 Answer: "The two-week wait for my IELTS results was nerve-wracking. I refreshed the results page hourly, unable to focus on anything else. When the scores finally appeared at midnight on the 13th day, I was ecstatic to see an overall band of 8.0. The relief was immense because my dream university required at least 7.5. This experience taught me patience and resilience." Why Band 8: More sophisticated vocabulary ("nerve-wracking," "ecstatic," "resilience"), good sentence variety. Band 9 Answer: "The fortnight preceding my IELTS results release was a period of excruciating anticipation. I oscillated between confidence and self-doubt, frequently revisiting my Speaking and Writing performances in my mind. At the stroke of midnight on day 13, I logged in with trembling fingers. Seeing an overall band of 9.0 was surreal – it validated months of meticulous preparation. This experience underscored the importance of patience and the psychological discipline required when awaiting life-altering outcomes." Why Band 9: Advanced vocabulary ("excruciating anticipation," "oscillated," "surreal"), complex sentence structures, natural idiom use, and thoughtful reflection.

Common Mistakes Students Make

❌Checking results before 13 days – Many students waste time checking the portal every day. It will not be available early.

❌Using the wrong candidate number – Your candidate number is different from your registration number. It's printed on your test day admission letter.

❌Waiting for email instead of checking online – Email notifications can be delayed by a few hours or even a day. Always check the portal first.

❌Not saving a screenshot or PDF – If you lose access to the portal, you'll have no proof until you get the physical TRF.

❌Assuming scores are automatically sent to universities – You must request score sharing during registration or after results are released. It is not automatic.

Top Tips for Getting Your Results Quickly

💡 Book a computer-delivered test if you need results in under a week. Paper-based takes 13 days.

💡 Save your candidate number in your phone notes and email it to yourself. You'll need it to log in.

💡 Set a calendar reminder for 12:00 AM on the release day (midnight). Results are released exactly at midnight local time.

💡 If you need TRF urgently, choose "fast courier" during registration or pick it up in person from the test centre.

💡 Share your E-TRF electronically with universities during registration – it's faster and free.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests, study materials, and score evaluation tools. They also offer free result tracking reminders.

FAQ

Q: Can I get my IELTS results earlier than 13 days? A: No. For paper-based, it is strictly 13 days. For computer-delivered, it's 3–5 days. There are no exceptions. Q: Why can't I see my results online? A: Possible reasons: (1) It's not yet the release date. (2) You entered the wrong candidate number or passport/ID. (3) Your test centre has a delay (rare, but possible). Contact the test centre if the issue persists after the release date. Q: What if I disagree with my score? A: You can request an Enquiry on Results (EOR) within 6 weeks of the test date. The fee is about ₹12,000–₹15,000. If your score changes, the fee is refunded. Q: How long are IELTS results valid? A: 2 years from the test date. After 2 years, you must retake the test. Q: Can I get my results by phone? A: No. IELTS does not provide results by phone. You must check online or wait for the physical TRF.

Key Takeaways

✅Paper IELTS: results in 13 days; Computer IELTS: 3–5 days.

✅Check online via IDP or British Council portal using your candidate number and passport/ID.

✅Your Test Report Form (TRF) is the official document – keep it safe.

✅You can request duplicate TRFs if you lose the original, but only within 2 years.

✅Score sharing with universities is not automatic – you must request it.

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