What is IELTS special consideration and who can get it?

Apply before the test or up to two calendar days after it; applications are not accepted once results are released. Contact the centre directly with full information and supporting evidence. The centre replies within seven working days of receiving your full written application, and your results are put on hold until it decides (ielts.org).

If approved, you receive a refund or transfer, in some cases less an administrative fee. Refunds can take four to six weeks. There is no adjustment to band scores, so special consideration cannot raise a result you have already received.

To appeal a decision, ielts.org points to its complaints procedure; see how to complain about IELTS.

For IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills, the policy calls it exceptional circumstances. You can make a case before the test and up to five days after it if you did not attend, and all evidence must reach the centre within five days. The centre replies within seven working days. If approved, you get a full refund less an administration fee of no more than 25% of the test fee; if not, the normal UKVI refund scale applies (ielts.org).

The UKVI policy defines exceptional circumstances as serious medical conditions, evidenced by a certificate from a qualified medical practitioner, and evidence of bereavement, trauma or other significant hardship. Detailed rules are set locally and can differ by country and test centre, so check your booking confirmation or ask your centre if anything here does not match what you were told.