Many IELTS tests were found to have been re-graded and scores were changed.

(Dan Tri) - Due to technical problems, many IELTS tests had inaccurate results, causing some students to "break their study plans".

On the evening of November 12, many students were surprised to receive an email from the British Council (BC), informing them that their IELTS test scores were incorrect. According to the re-scoring results, some candidates' scores were increased or decreased, causing their study plans to be disrupted.

The incorrect results were mainly concentrated in the reading and listening sections. In particular, many students in other countries such as Nepal, Korea, Russia, Australia, etc., also discovered similar technical errors.

A student in Hanoi said that in the first exam, he got 7.0 but after re-scoring, this score was raised to 7.5. What is worth mentioning is that after 8 months, this organization announced the re-scoring result, which made him not have enough chance to pass the school he wanted due to the lack of score in the IELTS certificate.

Many candidates had their IELTS scores changed due to technical problems (Photo: Illustration).

On social media, many candidates who took the IELTS test at IDP and BC between 2023 and September 2025 said they also received emails reporting the incident. Their IELTS scores changed significantly.

Both BC and IDP advise candidates who have had problems to check their new test results, noting that previous test results will no longer be valid for use. For candidates re-registering for a skill, scores may take up to 24 hours to appear.

On November 13, the IELTS organization's homepage confirmed the above information. Responding to students on the official information page, the IELTS Organization said that it had discovered an internal technical problem that caused some candidates to receive incorrect results. All affected candidates have been contacted via email.

According to the organization, only about 1% of candidates were affected by this incident, while more than 99% of candidates were not affected. If any student has not received a response letter, it means that the results were not affected.

IELTS said the reason the announcement of the result adjustment was announced late was because after the test organization discovered the internal technical problem and promptly made adjustments.

“The incident has been identified, fully resolved and measures have been taken to prevent it from happening again,” IELTS responded.

According to IELTS, if test takers have used their IELTS scores to apply to schools or companies for jobs or visas, the organization will assist in sending an explanation letter (if needed).

In Vietnam, affected candidates can choose to have their exam fees refunded or retake the exam for free. The deadline for confirmation is May 2026. Old scores will no longer be valid.

IELTS is the world's most popular English proficiency test, assessing four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. This certificate is recognized by many educational institutions, employers and governments in many countries, used for studying abroad, working, migrating or living in English-speaking countries.

There are currently more than 12,500 organizations in 150 countries around the world that recognize IELTS test results.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/phat-hien-nhieu-bai-thi-ielts-bi-cham-lai-sua-diem-20251113121831352.htm