IELTS One Skill Retake: Can You Retake Just One Section?

Did you mess up your Writing but ace the other sections? Good news! You might not have to retake the whole exam. IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) allows you to retake just one skill. This guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility, cost, acceptance, and whether it's worth it.

What is IELTS One Skill Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake allows you to retake one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if you didn't get your desired score the first time. This is a relatively new option (introduced in 2022) and is not available in all countries yet.

Key Benefit

You keep your other scores. Your new Test Report Form will show the new score for the retaken skill and the original scores for the others. This saves you time and money if only one skill is below your target.

Eligibility Rules

You cannot just retake any test. You must meet these strict criteria:

Computer-Delivered IELTS Only
You must have taken the Computer-Delivered IELTS test. Paper-based IELTS is NOT eligible for OSR.
60-Day Window
You must book the retake within 60 days of your original test date. No exceptions.
One Skill, Once Per Test
You can only retake one skill, and only once per full test. If you retake Writing and still don't get your target, you'll need to take the full test again.
Availability
OSR is not available in all countries yet. Check with your local IELTS test center first.

Does Everyone Accept One Skill Retake?

No. This is crucial. While thousands of universities and immigration bodies accept OSR, some institutions still require a single sitting where all four skills are taken together.

Check Before You Book

Always check with your university, professional body, or visa authority if they accept "IELTS One Skill Retake" before spending money on it. Some explicitly state they do NOT accept OSR.

Who Typically Accepts OSR?

✓ Most Australian universities and immigration (Australia was the first to accept it)
✓ Many Canadian institutions
✓ Some UK universities (check individually)
✗ Some professional registration bodies (e.g., medical boards) may not accept it
✗ Some visa programs require a single-sitting test

Cost

The cost varies by country but is typically about 60-70% of the full test fee. It's cheaper than a full retake, but not "cheap". For example, if the full test costs $250, OSR might cost $150-175.

Check with your local test center for exact pricing.

Is One Skill Retake Worth It?

✅ YES, If:

✓ You missed your target by only 0.5 in one skill
✓ You had a bad day (illness, panic, technical issue)
✓ Your other three scores are very high (7.5+)
✓ Your target institution accepts OSR
✓ You're confident you can improve with focused practice

❌ NO, If:

✗ You need to improve multiple skills
✗ You need to improve by 1.5+ bands (very hard to do in 60 days)
✗ Your target university doesn't accept it
✗ You haven't identified what went wrong the first time
✗ You can't afford the cost

How to Prepare for Your Retake

Don't waste your second chance. Focus your preparation:

Identify your weaknesses: Review your original test feedback. What exactly went wrong?
Practice that skill intensively: If it's Writing, write 2-3 essays per day. If it's Speaking, record yourself daily.
Get feedback: Use our AI grading to identify specific errors before your retake.
Time yourself: Practice under real test conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

It varies by country but is typically 60-70% of the full test fee. It's cheaper than a full retake, but still a significant cost. Check with your local test center.

Prepare for Your Retake

Don't waste your second chance. Use our focused practice modules to master that one weak skill before your retake.