← All guidesRetaking IELTS in Canada: costs, timelines, and when it's worth it
Retaking IELTS in Canada: full-retake vs One Skill Retake cost math, timelines, and the IRCC rule that decides which counts for Express Entry.
By the IELTS Training editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10-04Free account to read
The short version
- Retaking the full IELTS in Canada costs about C$360 (same as the first attempt) at both IDP and British Council.
- If only one skill is holding you back, IELTS One Skill Retake exists — you redo just that module (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) at a lower fee than a full retest, from an eligible test. Caveat for immigration: IRCC does not accept One Skill Retake for Express Entry (their words: "We don't accept the One Skill Retake version of the IELTS General Training test") — so if the score is going into an Express Entry profile, a full retest is the only option. One Skill Retake is accepted in a few selective programs (e.g., the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot) and many schools accept it for admissions — always confirm against your specific program.
- There is no mandatory wait between attempts. Results: computer-delivered ~48 hours, paper ~5 days — same as the first time.
- Scores stay valid for 2 years for immigration; your Express Entry profile needs a test still valid at the time you submit it, not just when you enter the pool.
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How our guides are written
- Written for Canada immigration goals. Every guide is original work by the IELTS Training editorial team, built around the CLB 7 → CLB 9 climb that Express Entry rewards — not generic test prep.
- Built from public sources. CLB and CRS figures come from publicly published IRCC criteria and plain-language IELTS band descriptors. Immigration rules change — always verify against official IRCC sources before making decisions.
- Estimates, never official scores. Every score on this site is labeled an estimate for practice only. No one can guarantee a band score, and we never claim to.
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- Built by someone who knows the system. Founded by Shiv Ram Krishna — 15+ years in Canadian banking technology (CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, Citi, CPPIB), IIT Kanpur and IIM Kozhikode, PMP and AWS Certified. Past employers are named as employment history only; they do not endorse this site.
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