To pay for the 'additional fee' services, go to our online IELTS payment form and select 'IELTS results & transfers' as the 'Exam Type or Service'.
Cancelling your test. To cancel your IELTS test (Academic or General Training), log in to the Test Taker Portal and submit a cancellation request, with any supporting documents. The table below shows what you get back. We make all refunds to the card or method you used to pay.
When you cancel and what we refund:
15 or more days before Listening, Reading Writing Test date: Refund of 75% of the test fee paid.
Within 14 days of Listening, Reading Writing test date: Test fee us non-refundable.
With a medical certificate for illness on the test day (emailed to ielts@ihbristol.com within 24 hours of the start time, together with your portal request): Refund of 75% of the test fee paid.
Transferring your test to a later date. To move your exam to a later date, contact us at ielts@ihbristol.com. Any new date must be within three months of your original test date.
When you ask to transfer - What happens:
15 or more days before Listening, Reading Writing Test date: Free transfer to a later date; no fee.
Within 5 - 14 days of Listening, Reading Writing test date: An admin fee of 25% of test fee paid is charged.
Within 4 days of Listening, Reading Writing test date: Any transfer during this period is treated as a cancellation.
With a medical certificate for illness on the test day (emailed to ielts@ihbristol.com within 24 hours of the start time, together with your portal request): Allowed only with valid medical evidence. If we accept it, you pay the test-day transfer fee.
International House Bristol had its final public paper-based test on the 6th of June 2026.
For candidates that prefer to complete the IELTS writing component by hand, we expect to soon be able to offer the IELTS on Computer (Writing on Paper) test type (official information link here(Opens in a new tab/window) ).
FAQs for test takers:
Will the content of the test change?
No. The content of the IELTS test stays the same. You take the Listening, Reading and Writing sections on a computer, and you still do the Speaking test face-to-face with a trained examiner, just like the paper-based test.
How is IELTS on computer different from IELTS on paper?
The main difference is that you do the Listening, Reading and Writing sections on a computer instead of on paper. For Listening and Reading, your answers go straight into the computer, so you do not copy them onto an answer sheet. The Speaking test is the same interview with an IELTS examiner. You also get faster results, more test dates, and you can use IELTS One Skill Retake.
Is IELTS on computer harder than IELTS on paper?
No. The test content is the same. IELTS on computer checks your English in the same way as IELTS on paper. The scoring and the test format do not change. Only the way you take the test is different.
How will I do the Writing section on a computer?
You type your answers for the Writing section straight into the computer. Many test takers find this easier, because it is like the writing you do for study or work. You can change your answers easily, and there is an automatic word count.
Will the Speaking test still be face-to-face?
Your Speaking test will be face-to-face in the same room. In some cases, it can be done by a secure video call online. This gives more choice and more Speaking test times. The video-call Speaking test is at an official IELTS test centre, with the same careful ID checks. It is the same as the in-person test: the same content, scoring, timing, level, question types and security.
When will I receive my results?
For IELTS on computer, you usually get your results in 1 to 2 days. This is faster than IELTS on paper, which takes 13 days.
Will there be enough test dates?
Yes. IELTS on computer has more test dates and better availability, so it is easier for you to choose a time that suits you.
How can I prepare for IELTS on computer?
We give you free scored practice tests for IELTS on computer, so you can see how the test looks and feels. You can also find resources online to practise your typing speed and your general computer skills.
We do not recommend IELTS for anyone under 16.
If you are under 18, we need permission from your parent or legal guardian. This lets us take your photo and finger scan when you register on the exam day.
An under-18 can start a booking, but we will not take payment until the parent or guardian has accepted the Terms and Conditions, given collection instructions, and paid the test fee.
After that, we confirm the booking. When an under-18 registers for the test, the parent or guardian will receive an email with a secure link to the candidate’s registration page.
On the test day, you must bring the same ID document you used when you applied. You cannot take the test without it. We cannot accept photocopies (even certified copies from a solicitor) or letters from the Home Office.
You can apply with a valid:
Passport (or an official travel document)
UK Residence Permit – if your BRP expired in December 2024, you can still use it, but you must get our approval first. Please email ielts@ihbristol.com.
ARC card – you must contact us first to ask for permission to use this ID.
If you have a learning disability, physical, or mental health condition, you can apply for special arrangements - examples include 25% extra time, larger-print papers, a word processor, separate room/invigilation (and more).
If you require special arrangements, please contact us more than 6 weeks before your test. This is the deadline to ask for special materials.
Confirmation letters are sent by email. Please ensure you have checked your email inbox and your junk inbox for your letter. It can take up to 72 hours for us to process your application and send you your confirmation emial.
Please be aware that if you book on the weekend, your test may auto cancel. This is a technical issue that we cannot change. Please be aware that your booking will be processed on the Monday. Our email and phone lines are closed on the weekends.
If you still haven't heard from us after 72 hours, please email us at ielts@ihbristol.com.
You must bring your ID with you to the exam. This must be the same ID you registered with. Do NOT bring pens, pencils, erasers. We will give you all the stationery you need. You may bring water in a transparent bottle with no label or writing on it.
As of the 20th of June 2026 all paper based TRF's have been sent out to candidates. If you have taken a paper based test in the last 2 years and not revieced a Report form, please contact us to arrange delivery. This may come with an additional charge for international postage.
We will keep all reamining TRF's for their 2 year validity period. If they are not collected we will destroy them on site.
You can check your computer-based results 1-5 days after your test.
You will need to provide the following information to access your results:
If you experience any problems accessing your results then please email us at ielts@ihbristol.com.
With the termination of IELTS on Paper after the 6th of June 2026 IELTS results that have been opted for collection will be available to collect during their validity period. The IELTS reuslts are vaild for 2 years after the test date. If you do not collect the TRF before the validity runs out we will destroy the TRF when it expires. There are no exceptions to this rule.
To collect your results from the Bristol IELTS office, you can do so during our visiting hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm - 4pm. All collection requests MUST be emailed to ielts@ihbristol.com before the results are released.
With the termination of IELTS on Paper after the 6th of June 2026 IELTS results that have been opted for collection will be available to collect during their validity period. The IELTS reuslts are vaild for 2 years after the test date. If you do not collect the TRF before the validity runs out we will destroy the TRF when it expires. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Yes, you can. To let a friend or relative collect your results, you need to:
download, complete and sign an authorised collection form
ask the person collecting to sign the form too, then scan it and email it to ielts@ihbristol.com before they collect
the person collecting must bring a copy of this form and their passport or EU ID card
You can download an authorized collection form here
This option will expire on the 6th of June 2028.
Contact ielts@ihbristol.com to resolve this. As paper based testing has finished as of the 6th of June 2026 we will need to check the valididty of your claim.
Replacement TRF's will be available for remaining validity period of Paper based exams. This will terminate on the 6th of June 2028.
You can request two copies of your results to be sent to educational institutions, government agents, professional bodies or an employer. The relevant addresses should be provided in the relevant section on the registation portal - the Recognising organisations tab.
Results are typically provided via STED RO's (Subsribers to Electronic Download) where the recognising organisation will recive the results electronically and will not require a paper based TRF. Some RO's are postal however and requrire a paper based TRF. These will be sent 2nd class for UK adresses and international standard for international addresses. If you require faster postage there will be an additional fee for postage. Please contact ielts@ihbristol.com to arrange this if necessary.
Please note that you can only request additional copies of results to be sent to institutions. Candidates cannot request extra copies for themselves.
If you are applying for a Canadian VISA, you may qualify for a second copy of your results to be sent to you along with your personal copy. You should contact us at the time of application for further details on how to obtain a second copy.
Complaints about the test day: if you want to complain about anything to do with your IELTS exam, you must do it on the exam day. Ask a member of staff for a Complaint Form on your test day, and return it before you leave.
Other problems: if you are unhappy with any part of the IELTS service from the Test Centre at International House, you can complain by sending an email to our office. Please explain the problem.
Don't worry. Sometimes, Academic Training and General Training happen on the same day so the confirmation names both tests. You will take the test you registered for.
