In a recent update to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), aspiring students aiming for international education can now choose to retake specific components of the test, providing a more flexible approach compared to retaking the entire examination.
Previously, candidates undertaking the IELTS had to redo all four test sections—Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking—in their pursuit of score improvement. However, a positive change has been introduced in Pakistan, offering candidates the option to retake only the specific components in which they aim to enhance their performance.
Known as ‘One Skill Retake,’ this modification is applicable to both Academic and General IELTS and is currently available in centers located in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Gujrat, with plans to extend this service to other centers in the near future.
Candidates choosing to retake a particular component now have the flexibility to select either their previous or new score for that specific section, granting them greater control over their score selection.
READ MORE: https://www.economy.pk/list-of-universities-without-ielts-requirement-for-admissions-in-2024/
This adjustment addresses challenges faced by students pursuing scholarships and university admissions, especially in countries like the United Kingdom, where IELTS is a mandatory requirement. The high cost of the test, combined with economic inflation and currency devaluation in Pakistan, had previously hindered aspiring international students from retaking the exam, impacting their dreams of pursuing education abroad.
IELTS is actively working towards gaining wider recognition for the ‘One Skill Retake’ policy. Currently, authorities such as UK Visas and Immigration, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency have acknowledged this update, with ongoing efforts to expand recognition to more entities and countries.
The IELTS test assesses an individual’s proficiency in the English language and serves as a benchmark for international universities granting admission to individuals from non-English speaking countries, including Pakistan.
