Enquiry on Results, EOR, is the official IELTS re-mark. A senior examiner reviews one or more skills, Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, after you apply within six weeks of your test date. Fees vary by center and are refunded if your band changes. Most outcomes arrive in 2 to 21 days, centers ask you to contact them if it reaches 28 days. IDP IELTS+1

Q&A guide

1) What exactly happens in an EOR?

Your chosen modules are re-marked by senior examiners who were not involved in your original test. You can request the whole test or any part of it. If your band changes, you get a new Test Report Form, TRF, showing the updated result. IDP IELTS

2) Who should consider EOR?

Consider EOR when one productive skill, Writing or Speaking, is 0.5 below target while the other skills are stable, for example L 7.5, R 7.0, W 6.5, S 7.0, and feedback from teachers suggests your scripts matched the band descriptors. Listening and Reading are objectively marked, change is less common, so only consider EOR there if you see a clear marking error. Depends on context and evidence you hold. IDP IELTS

Rule of thumb: If you are short by 0.5 in Writing or Speaking, EOR may be worth the fee. If you need a full 1.0 jump, odds drop. Depends on the draft quality and how consistently you perform.

3) How long does EOR take?

Typical turnaround is 2 to 21 days. If it passes 28 days, contact your test center. Plan around your application deadline, and apply early in the six week window to keep buffer days. britishcouncil.pk

4) How much does it cost, and do I get a refund?

Fees are set by centers and vary by country. If your score changes, the enquiry fee is fully refunded. If there is no change, the fee is kept. Check your center page before applying. IDP IELTS

5) Can my score go down?

Policies emphasise confirmation or change with refund if it goes up. Official pages do not highlight score reductions. In practice, outcomes depend on senior examiner judgement. Expect no refund if your score is unchanged. When in doubt, ask your center how they handle rare downward outcomes. British Council

6) How do I apply?

Log in to your Test Taker Portal and select Enquiry on Results. For IELTS on Paper or Computer, you apply through the portal. For some UKVI variants and Life Skills, you may use a separate link provided by the British Council site in your country. Keep your TRF and ID details ready. britishcouncil.pk

7) EOR or One Skill Retake, which is smarter?

EOR checks marking. One Skill Retake, OSR, lets you retake a single skill within about 60 days of your original computer-delivered test at participating centers. Choose EOR if you believe your Writing or Speaking was under-marked. Choose OSR if performance was weak or nerves hurt your result, especially if your target organization accepts OSR. Policies and availability vary by country and organization, so verify first. IELTS+1

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8) Concrete examples

• Example 1, Writing: You scored W 6.5 but need 7.0. Your teacher marked your essay at 7.0 on TR, task response, and noted accurate paragraphing. EOR can be sensible because productive skills involve judgement.
• Example 2, Reading: You scored R 31, roughly around Band 7 on many tables. You spotted that you misread two True False Not Given items. EOR will not fix misreads. Focus on a retake plan.

9) Small case

Nadia needs W 6.5 for a scholarship. Scores are L 7.5, R 7.0, W 6.0, S 7.0. Her deadline is 24 days away. She first checks whether EOR results in her region usually arrive in under 21 days. She submits EOR for Writing on day 5, tracks the portal, and prepares a backup plan. If no change by day 18, she books OSR Writing at a nearby computer-delivered center that still has dates before her deadline. Acceptance rules differ by university, so she confirms they will consider OSR if needed. britishcouncil.pk+1

10) Mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until week six, centers can be busy. Apply by week two or three where possible.
• Requesting EOR on Listening or Reading to fix your own transfer or spelling errors. EOR cannot correct your mistakes.
• Ignoring deadlines. Immigration or admission windows are strict, so always keep a buffer.
• Assuming OSR is accepted everywhere. Always check target organizations. IELTS

11) Edge cases

• Multiple modules: You can request remarking for one or more modules, fees and timing depend on how many you submit. IDP IELTS
• Different providers: Processes are similar across British Council and IDP, yet portals, fees, and local timelines can differ. Check your center page. IELTS
• Using scores during EOR: Some centers note that you should not use the result while EOR is pending. If time sensitive, plan a retake path in parallel. Policies differ, so confirm locally. IDP IELTS

12) Mini glossary

• EOR: Enquiry on Results, the IELTS remark process within six weeks. IDP IELTS
• TRF: Test Report Form, your official score report. Updated if your EOR changes a band. IDP IELTS
• OSR: One Skill Retake, a single-skill retake on computer at selected centers. IELTS
• Band descriptors: Official criteria that define each band for Writing and Speaking.
• Test Taker Portal: Online account used to apply for EOR and manage bookings. IDP IELTS

Benchmarks you can use

• Writing or Speaking 0.5 below target with stable higher bands elsewhere, EOR is reasonable.
• Expected EOR result window 2 to 21 days, plan buffers around 28 days. britishcouncil.pk
• If you need a 1.0 increase, it is possible but less likely, depends on script quality.