The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has admitted a two-year technical glitch that led to incorrect scores being issued to thousands of test-takers worldwide.
IELTS has also issued a formal apology to affected students who were impacted in the Listening and Reading components of both Academic and General Training tests administered between August 2023 and September 2025.
IELTS admitted that the two-year technical glitch, which contributed to widespread score inaccuracies, was due to an “internal technical issue”.
While the organization assures the public that the problem has been fully identified and resolved, and that current tests are unaffected, the revelations have sparked outrage among students and educational institutions.
In a statement, IELTS confirmed that the issue impacted a “small proportion” of candidates who sat for the exam between August 2023 and September 2025.
The organisation also added that it has revised scores of some of the affected candidates.
The majority of corrections were upward, although some candidates saw their scores reduced, with changes of up to 0.5 band in certain cases.
“IELTS recently identified an issue that led to a small proportion of test-takers receiving incorrect results,” the organisation said.
It added that over 99% of tests during the affected period remained accurate and assured that current IELTS tests are not impacted.
Affected candidates have been contacted directly with updated results, apologies, and support options.
IELTS has also notified universities, immigration authorities, and other recognising organisations that rely on IELTS scores for admissions and visa decisions.
The organisation, jointly owned by IDP, Cambridge University Press, and the British Council, said it maintains “strict quality control procedures” and has taken “all necessary steps” to prevent similar incidents.
IELTS has launched a dedicated assistance page with FAQs, instructions for accessing corrected results, and information for institutions that rely on IELTS band scores in admissions or hiring.
The statement continued: “Affected candidates are eligible for:
Refund of test fees, and/or
A free resit, depending on individual circumstances.
Test-takers are advised to:
Check their notifications and updated Test Report Forms (TRFs)
Contact their university or immigration case officer if their scores have changed
Reach out to IELTS support services for next steps”
After IELTS admitted a two-year technical glitch, industry observers have expressed concern over the consequences of the score discrepancies.
Michael Goodine, owner of Test Resources in South Korea and a long-time analyst of standardised testing, said the incident underscores the need for testing companies to identify such issues swiftly.
He warned that candidates who originally received lower-than-accurate scores may have missed out on “life-changing academic and professional opportunities,” including university admissions, scholarships, immigration applications, and job placements.
Goodine stated: “Some candidates may have missed out on career or academic opportunities because their original score was lower than it should have been.
“For others, receiving a higher score initially might have set them up for difficulty in university courses requiring advanced English proficiency.
“It could be too late for some individuals to rectify the impact on an immigration pathway or enrolment deadline. These decisions can change lives.”
