IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) Explained
Did you perform well overall but feel one skill let you down? IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) might be an option for you.
OSR allows test takers to retake just one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if they didn't achieve the score they wanted in that specific section during their original full test.
Availability is Limited: OSR is relatively new and is being rolled out gradually. It is **not available** at all test centres or in all countries yet. Check the official IELTS website or your local test centre for current availability in your region.
Key Features of One Skill Retake
- Eligibility: You must have recently completed a full IELTS test (Academic or General Training, usually computer-delivered) at an eligible test centre that offers OSR. Check the specific timeframe allowed between the original test and the OSR (e.g., within 60 days).
- Single Skill Only: You can only retake **one** skill per original full test sitting.
- Booking: You book the OSR through your original test provider (IDP or British Council) via your online results portal, if eligible.
- Format: The OSR test format for the chosen skill is identical to that in the full IELTS test.
- New Test Report Form (TRF): After completing the OSR, you will receive a new TRF. This TRF will include:
- Your updated score for the skill you retook.
- Your original scores for the other three skills from your full test.
- A new Overall Band Score calculated using the updated skill score.
- It will also indicate that one skill was retaken.
- Original TRF Still Valid: Your original TRF from the full test also remains valid. You can choose which TRF (original or OSR) to use when applying to organisations, subject to their acceptance policy.
Acceptance by Organisations
- Acceptance of the IELTS One Skill Retake TRF is **at the discretion of individual recognising organisations** (universities, employers, immigration bodies).
- While many organisations are starting to accept OSR results, **it is crucial to check directly with the specific organisation(s)** you are applying to, to confirm if they accept the One Skill Retake TRF before you book the OSR.
- Immigration bodies like IRCC (Canada), Department of Home Affairs (Australia), INZ (New Zealand), UKVI (UK) may have specific policies regarding OSR. Check their official websites for the latest updates.
Verify Acceptance First! Do not assume an organisation accepts OSR. Confirm their policy before spending time and money on the retake.
Potential Pros and Cons
Pros:
- More focused preparation on just one skill.
- Potentially quicker and cheaper than retaking the full test.
- Opportunity to improve a single low score that might be holding back your overall profile.
Cons:
- Limited availability currently.
- Not all organisations may accept the OSR TRF.
- Your score in the retaken skill could potentially decrease or stay the same.
- There is still a cost associated with the retake.