Can I cancel or reschedule my IELTS test and get a refund?

From the ielts.org UKVI cancellations and transfers policy. Transfers are allowed more than 14 days before the test, once, to a date within three months, with an admin fee of up to 25%; inside 14 days a transfer counts as a cancellation.

For exceptional circumstances (serious illness with a medical certificate, bereavement, trauma, military service) you can apply before the test or up to five days after; if approved you get a full refund less an admin fee of no more than 25%.

IDP India's transfer and cancellation page says: transfer free 15 or more days before the test, with an admin fee of up to 25% from 5 to 14 days before, and no transfer within 4 days. Cancel 15 or more days out and up to 25% is deducted; within 14 days the fee is not refunded. Refunds take 7 to 10 working days. Its fee page gives a different cut-off of 9 days for cancellation, so confirm with IDP before you rely on either.

Fees and policies are set per country and test centre, and they change. Check the page for the country where you will sit the test before you book or pay. This guide is general information, not official IELTS advice.

The British Council requires at least 14 days' notice to transfer; 14 days or less is treated as a cancellation. Transfers are allowed once per booking, to a date within three months, and may cost up to 25% of the fee. If you are absent without telling the centre you lose the fee; if you are sick and send a medical certificate within two calendar days of the test, you get a refund minus a local admin fee. Refunds go back to your original payment method (British Council).

Special consideration under ielts.org rules: apply before the test or up to two calendar days after it, never after results are out. The centre replies within seven working days, refunds can take 4–6 weeks, and bands are never adjusted. If the centre itself cancels the test, you choose a full refund or a new date.