Cambridge English provides a service to enable IELTS test centres and test takers to appeal against decisions that affect results awarded to test takers.
Test takers who have taken the test at test centres authorised by the British Council or by IELTS USA make their appeal via the test centre. Test takers who have taken the test at test centres authorised by IDP Education Ltd make their appeal by contacting appeals.ielts@idp.com.
IELTS Online test takers make their appeal by contacting globaloperations.iol@britishcouncil.org or appeals.ielts@idp.com.
Appeal requests are then taken forward by Cambridge English.
The appeals procedure focuses on whether, in the course of reaching decisions, the IELTS Test Partners (British Council, IDP Education Ltd and Cambridge English):
- used procedures which were consistent with the regulatory authorities' code of practice
- applied the procedures properly and fairly in arriving at judgements.
The appeals procedure is not concerned with making judgements about test takers’ work in the test; an appeal will not involve re-marking or re-assessment of a test taker’s work, although further re-marking might be commissioned as a result of an appeal if it is found that procedures have not been satisfactorily followed.
Where the outcome of an appeal brings into question the accuracy of an IELTS result awarded, IELTS will take all reasonable steps to identify any other test taker who may have been affected and wherever possible correct or mitigate the error.
Where the outcome of an appeal results in the discovery of a failure in one of the IELTS processes or systems, we will review the relevant process or system and take all reasonable steps to ensure that the failure does not happen again.
Conditions of appeal
Cambridge English will consider an appeal only if the following conditions are met:
- The appeal is submitted by the British Council test centre or by IDP Education Ltd (or in the case of IELTS Online appeals by the British Council or IDP Education Ltd) on behalf of the appellant within 21 calendar days of the receipt of the relevant decision.
- The appeal application form clearly outlines the grounds for the appeal.
- The appeal fee is paid to the British Council or IELTS USA test centre or to IDP Education Ltd (or in the case of IELTS Online appeals to the British Council or IDP Education Ltd) within the 21-day period. Appeals will not be accepted without payment.
An appeal against a result may not be submitted until an Enquiry on Results has been processed. (This condition does not apply to appeals against decisions relating to malpractice.)
Fees
There will be a fee for the submission of an appeal at both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the procedure. This fee will be refunded in full if the appeal is upheld. Refer to your test centre for information about fees or, in the case of tests taken at centres authorised by IDP Education Ltd, contact appeals.ielts@idp.com.
For IELTS Online appeals, contact globaloperations.iol@britishcouncil.org or appeals.ielts@idp.com.
Appeals procedure: Pre-appeal process for malpractice cases
The documentation relating to the case will be reviewed by senior staff from Cambridge English. The purpose of the initial consideration is to decide whether any further actions relating to the appeal should be authorised (e.g. gathering of additional evidence).
If this review results in a decision to uphold the appeal the test centre/test taker will be notified and the appeal fee refunded.
For all other cases the appeal will proceed to Stage 1 of the procedure.
Appeals procedure: Stage 1
The documentation relating to the case will be considered by an independent authority.
Appellants will be notified in writing of the outcome of Stage 1, including the outcome of any further work authorised, within 10 weeks of payment of the appeal fee.
Appeals procedure: Stage 2
Appellants remaining dissatisfied may have their case considered in full by the Cambridge English Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee includes the Global Managing Director, English or senior staff nominated by them, and at least one member who is not, and has not been, a member of the board or committees for Cambridge University Press & Assessment (formerly UCLES)/Cambridge English, or an employee or examiner of Cambridge University Press & Assessment (formerly UCLES)/Cambridge English at any time during the previous five years.
A request for an appeal to be considered by the Appeals Committee should be made by the British Council test centre, or by IDP Education Ltd, within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the outcome of the Stage 1 Appeal.
Appellants have the right to present their case in person to the Appeals Committee. If a test taker is under the age of 18 the parent or guardian will need to be present or can present the case on their behalf. The outcome of the appeal will be notified in writing within 10 weeks of payment of the Stage 2 appeal fee.
Consideration of an appeal by the Cambridge English Appeals Committee concludes the IELTS appeals procedure.
Appeals resulting in a change of decision
The outcome of an appeal may be a confirmation of the original decision or an overturning of this decision which may, in turn, lead to the award of a higher result, a lower result, or no result change, or to the award of a result where no previous result was awarded.
Where an appeal leads to a higher result or the award of a result where no result was previously awarded, any Enquiry on results and Appeal fees will be refunded in full, and an amended Test Report Form (where awarded) will be issued.
Further information
If you would like information or advice, please contact your test centre, or in the case of a test taken at a centre authorised by IDP Education Ltd, contact appeals.ielts@idp.com.