IELTS One Skill Retake in Nepal – Eligibility, Fees & Process

For many Nepalese students, a single IELTS skill score can affect university offers, visa eligibility, and even scholarship chances. Missing a required band by 0.5 often means retaking the entire test and delaying admissions by weeks.

IELTS One Skill Retake exists for candidates who miss the required band score in only one skill and would otherwise need to sit all four sections again. Instead of repeating all sections, eligible test takers can retake only the skill that needs improvement and update their overall result.

This guide explains how IELTS One Skill Retake works in Nepal, who can apply, how much it costs, how to book, and how the updated score is reported. It also clarifies whether universities and immigration authorities accept results after a One Skill Retake.

What Is IELTS One Skill Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is an official option available only for IELTS on Computer that allows a candidate to retake one language skill from a previously completed test instead of sitting all four sections again. It applies to any one of the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking.

Unlike retaking a full IELTS test, only the selected skill score is updated while the other three scores from the original test remain unchanged. This option is intended for candidates who miss the required band score in a single skill but already meet requirements in the remaining sections.

Who Is Eligible for IELTS One Skill Retake?

Only candidates who meet the following criteria are eligible for the IELTS One Skill Retake:

• You must have completed a full IELTS on Computer test, as IELTS on Paper does not qualify.
• The original test must have been taken at a test centre that supports One Skill Retake.
• Only one language skill from the original test can be selected for retaking.
• You must book and complete the retake within 60 days of the original test date.
• Both the original test and the retake must be taken in the same country.

If more than one skill score needs improvement, or if the original test was paper-based, the only available option is to retake the entire IELTS test.

Is IELTS One Skill Retake Allowed for Both Academic and General Training?

Yes, IELTS One Skill Retake is allowed for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, as long as the original test was taken on a computer. The retake must follow the same test type as the original attempt, meaning an Academic test can only be retaken as Academic and a General Training test can only be retaken as General Training.

Is There a Time Limit to Apply for IELTS One Skill Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake must be booked and completed within 60 days of the original test date. Once this 60-day window closes, the One Skill Retake option is no longer available, and improving the score requires retaking the full test.

Which IELTS Test Providers Offer One Skill Retake?

In Nepal, the British Council and IDP offer IELTS One Skill Retake. Availability depends on whether a specific test centre supports One Skill Retake, so candidates must confirm this option with the provider at the time of booking their original IELTS on Computer test.

What Is the IELTS One Skill Retake Fee in Nepal?

The IELTS One Skill Retake fee in Nepal is NPR 16,500, charged as a separate payment from the original IELTS test fee. The amount remains the same no matter which skill test is retaken, and the fee is payable at the time of booking through the official test partner portal.

How to Book IELTS One Skill Retake in Nepal?

You can book an IELTS One Skill Retake in Nepal online through the same test partner (British Council or IDP) that conducted the original IELTS on Computer test.

Booking process for IELTS One Skill Retake in Nepal:

1. Log in to the IELTS test taker portal (British Council or IDP) used for the original booking.
2. Access details of the completed IELTS on Computer test
3. Select the IELTS One Skill Retake option if it is available
4. Choose the skill to retake: Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking
5. Select an available retake date and time shown by the test centre
6. Pay the One Skill Retake fee to confirm the booking

Nepalese students must retake IELTS in Nepal or whichever country they took the original test. If the One Skill Retake option does not appear in the portal, it indicates that the test format or test centre does not support this option.

How Does IELTS One Skill Retake Affect Your Band Score?

IELTS One Skill Retake changes the score of the retaken skill, while the other three skills’ scores remain unchanged. The overall band score is recalculated using the updated skill score together with the unchanged scores using the standard band calculation rules.

After the retake, candidates receive a new Test Report Form (TRF) that shows the updated OSR score alongside the original scores. Both results are reported together on a single TRF, and candidates can choose whether to use the original result or the updated one.

Is IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted by Universities and Immigration?

IELTS One Skill Retake is widely accepted by universities and education providers, with some exceptions.

Education and immigration institutions understand that test performance can be affected by isolated factors like exam-day pressure or unexpected disruption. IELTS One Skill Retake exists to address these narrow gaps without altering test format, marking standards, or score reliability.

Country and region-wise acceptance patterns are outlined below:

Canada:

• Accepted by many universities and colleges for academic admissions.
• Not accepted for Express Entry, Permanent Residence, or Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications by the IRCC.

United Kingdom:

• Accepted by most universities
• No known restrictions for student visa applications under standard study routes

Australia and New Zealand:

• Fully accepted by universities and colleges
• Student visa pathways do not impose restrictions related to One Skill Retake

Europe:

• Accepted by many colleges and universities in Germany, Denmark, Finland, etc. for English-taught programs
• Treated as a valid IELTS result for academic admission purposes

United States:

• Acceptance is very limited
• Most universities prefer a full IELTS result, particularly for competitive or regulated programs like Nursing and Engineering

Since acceptance policies vary by institution and application type, candidates should align IELTS One Skill Retake with their study or migration objective. Always confirm requirements with the relevant university or authority before booking the retake.

When to Choose IELTS One Skill Retake Instead of Full Retake?

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is the better option when:

A full IELTS retake is the better option when:

NOTE: Only one retake attempt is allowed for each full IELTS test, so it is crucial to prepare thoroughly before you retake the test.

How Is IELTS One Skill Retake Different From Full IELTS Retake?

The difference between IELTS One Skill Retake and a full retake lies in the number of skills tested, how scores are updated, cost, and acceptance. While One Skill Retake allows candidates to improve a single skill score while keeping the other three unchanged, a full retake replaces the entire score. More differences between the IELTS test retakes are explained below.