Improve your IELTS score next time

If you want to know how to improve your IELTS score, you must improve your English first! Take a look at your Test Report Form and see which skills you need to work on.

Taking the test again and again will not improve your results unless you work on the weaknesses identified in your test report form. You need to

• review your preparation activities
• consider how you performed on the test day
• consider taking a course to improve your English in an area of weakness
• once you are ready, book a new test

How did you prepare last time?

Think about how you prepared for your test. Did you do enough?
To improve your score next time, make sure you

• understand your IELTS score
• understand the test format
• try our online sample tests
• read our tips on how to succeed
• practise your English at home, at work, or at university
• listen to English on radio and television
• read English newspapers and websites
• practise using British Council online IELTS resources
• use IELTS preparation materials

IELTS is a test of English language proficiency, so you need to work on all skill areas to maintain and improve your English.

How did you perform on test day?

Think about what happened on test day:

• how did you perform on your IELTS test day?
• did you know where the test location was?
• did you arrive in time?
• were you as calm and relaxed as possible?
• was the format of the test familiar?
• did you know what to expect?

Consider taking a course

You might want to consider taking an IELTS preparation course. This will help you:

• practise the type of tasks included in an IELTS test (e.g. writing a short essay or letter for the Writing test)
• get feedback and learn from your answers to practice questions
• become more confident in your test-taking skills

Your teacher may be able to advise you about your skill level and whether you are ready to re-take your test.
It takes time to learn a language, and the best way is to take an English course. The feedback you receive from your teacher will help you improve the specific skills involved in speaking, listening, reading and writing English.

Re-take the IELTS test

Book another test when you feel ready. You can take IELTS as many times as you like.
Have a look at Test day advice before you re-take your test.
We hope this information will help you further understand how to improve your IELTS score.

UK qualifications

We work in partnership with a number of UK awarding organisations, professional bodies and educational institutions in promoting professional and vocational qualifications overseas. To find out more about the qualifications they offer, please visit their websites.

see also School exams English language (ESOL) exams

Professional and vocational qualifications AAT Association of Accounting Technicians ABE Association of Business Executives ABRSM Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music ACCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ACT Association of Corporate Treasurers AIA Association of International Accountants APMG APMG International AQA Assessment and Qualifications Alliance BCS BCS - Chartered Institute for IT BSC British Safety Council BMAT Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests CEM College of Estate Management CFA Chartered Financial Analysts Institute CII Chartered Insurance Institute CIM Chartered Institute of Marketing CIMA Chartered Institute of Management Accountants CIPD Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development CIPS Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply CISI Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment C&G City and Guilds GEM-A Gemmological Association of Great Britain ICAEW Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ICS Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers IOE Institute of Export IFS Institute of Financial Services IMIS Institute for the Management of Information Systems IOA Institute and Faculty of Actuaries IoLET Chartered Institute of Linguists IWCF International Well Control Forum LCCI LCCI International Qualifications MRS Market Research Society NCC NCC Education NEBOSH National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health Pearson Pearson BTEC PLAB General Medical Council RAD Royal Academy of Dance RCP Royal College of Physicians RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health RSS Royal Statistical Society TCL Trinity College London