Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Provisional vs official
IDP's terms say the online preview of your result, or results sent by SMS, are provisional, may not be used as official confirmation of your achievement, and the IELTS partners give no guarantee of their accuracy. Make decisions on the official TRF, not the preview.
| What you see | Status |
|---|---|
| Online preview or SMS | Provisional; not official (IDP terms) |
| eTRF in your profile (where issued) | Official digital Test Report Form (IDP Australia) |
| Paper TRF | Official; collected from the venue or posted (IDP) |
| After a re-mark | A new TRF is issued if the score changes (ielts.org) |
eTRFs
IDP Australia says an eTRF is an official digital version of the TRF, available in your booking profile as a downloadable PDF for IELTS on computer at eligible centres. You cannot print your own eTRF; to send it, log in and use 'Notify Institution' (IDP Australia). IDP's test-day FAQ says the official TRF can otherwise be picked up from the venue or mailed to you (IDP).
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How organisations check
Organisations you send results to can verify them, and the photo taken on test day is provided to them for that purpose (IDP terms). A screenshot of a provisional result is no substitute for the TRF or an eTRF sent through the official system. IELTS Online results go straight to the institutions you selected at booking as an eTRF (ielts.org).
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a screenshot of my IELTS result to a university?+
It is not official. IDP's terms say online previews are provisional; send the TRF or eTRF through the official route.
Is the IELTS SMS result official?+
No. IDP's terms say SMS results are provisional and should not be relied on.
Is an IELTS eTRF official?+
Yes. IDP Australia describes the eTRF as an official digital version of the TRF.
Can I print my IELTS eTRF?+
IDP Australia says you cannot print your own eTRF; you send it from your profile.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) explained
- How long IELTS results take
- How to send IELTS results to universities
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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