After IELTS: Understanding Your TRF, EOR, and Score Reporting
Quick answer: Your IELTS TRF (Test Report Form) shows your overall band and four sub-skill bands. If you suspect a marking error, request EOR (Enquiry on Results) within 6 weeks for a re-mark — fee is refunded if your score increases. To send scores to institutions, request electronic delivery via your test centre (free for 5 institutions per result).
This guide is part of the WitPrep IELTS Hub. It is updated for 2026 with the current IELTS format, fees, and band descriptors. If you want a personalised band estimate before reading, run the free IELTS diagnostic.
What's on your TRF
Test date, candidate number, and centre details.
Four sub-skill bands (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) on the 0–9 scale.
Overall band score (mean of four skills, rounded to nearest 0.5).
Test version (Academic, General Training, or UKVI), photo, and security elements.
How long is the TRF valid?
2 years from the test date. After that, most institutions and immigration authorities require a new test.
Some institutions accept older TRFs for credit transfers if the candidate has been studying in English continuously since.
Save digital and physical copies — the TRF is your only proof of score.
When to request EOR (Enquiry on Results)
If your score is 0.5–1.0 lower than your consistent practice scores in any skill, EOR may be worth it.
Most useful for Writing and Speaking — the subjectively-graded skills. Less useful for Reading and Listening (which are computer-marked).
Apply within 6 weeks of test date through your test centre. Fee is refunded if your score increases by 0.5 or more.
What EOR involves
Your Writing and/or Speaking responses are re-graded by a senior examiner who has not seen the original mark.
Listening and Reading are re-marked by a different scorer (computer auto-mark, then human verification of disputed items).
Re-mark takes 6–8 weeks. New TRF issued if score changes.
Sending scores to institutions
Most institutions require electronic TRF delivery from the test centre — not photocopies.
British Council and IDP both offer the first 5 institution sends free with your test booking.
Additional sends cost $20–40 each, depending on country.
Allow 2–3 working days for institutions to receive the electronic TRF.
Common TRF problems
Lost TRF: contact your test centre. They can issue a duplicate for a fee ($15–30).
Wrong details on TRF: report within 30 days. Centre will issue corrected TRF.
Institution claims they didn't receive your TRF: ask the centre to resend with delivery confirmation.
Always download and save digital copies immediately on receiving your results.
Practice this with WitPrep
Reading about IELTS only gets you so far — band gains come from rubric-graded practice. Open the free IELTS diagnostic to drill this exact skill with band-by-band feedback. If you have not yet baselined your level, start with the free IELTS diagnostic (free, ~10 min).
Related WitPrep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my TRF replaced if lost?
Yes — contact the issuing test centre. Replacement TRF is issued for a fee ($15–30) within 14 days.
How long does EOR take?
6–8 weeks from EOR application to new TRF issued. Plan ahead if your application has a deadline.
Is EOR worth the cost?
Worth it if you scored 0.5 below your consistent practice average in Writing or Speaking. Less worth it for Reading/Listening (less subjective).
Can I get partial refund if EOR doesn't change my score?
No — fee is fully refunded only if your score increases by 0.5+ in any skill.
Will my new EOR score replace my original?
Yes — the new TRF supersedes the original. Send the new one to institutions.
How many institutions can I send my TRF to?
5 free with the original test booking. Additional sends cost extra.
How we verify this content
Every fact on this page is sourced from primary IELTS publishers — IELTS.org, the British Council, IDP IELTS Australia, Cambridge Assessment English, or the relevant national immigration authority. Our IELTS team re-checks these sources at least once per quarter. Where we cite institution-specific scores, we link to that institution's own admissions or visa page. If you spot anything out of date, please contact our editors.