How Many Times Can You Take IELTS?

You can sit IELTS as many times as you like. There is no official cap on the number of attempts and no waiting period between them, so you can rebook whenever the next test date suits you.

That said, retaking without changing your preparation rarely helps. It is usually better to work on your weakest skill first, then book again.

Each full test costs the full test fee. There is no discount for taking the full test again, so it is worth being ready before you book rather than resitting again and again.

A One Skill Retake has its own fee. Where the providers in our IELTS exam fee guide publish it, it costs less than a full test. The exact fee depends on your country and provider, so check the official booking page before you book.

If only one section let you down, you may not need to resit the whole test. The One Skill Retake lets you retake a single skill (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) and receive a new Test Report Form, the document that shows your scores. Your original result stays valid too, so you keep both.

It is available only for computer-delivered IELTS, and you must sit it within 60 days of your original test. It is offered in many countries but not everywhere, so confirm it is available at your test centre before you rely on it.

A retake is worth it when you were close to your target and know exactly which skill held you back. In that case, focused practice on that one area can lift your score quickly.

If you were several bands short across the board, give yourself more preparation time before rebooking. Sitting the test repeatedly without improving your English is an expensive way to practise.