Enquiries and appeals

The process below applies to Cambridge English Qualifications.

Enquiries on Results must be submitted by the exam centre on behalf of the candidate. The following Enquiry on Results stages are available:

*CEQs Speaking tests are rated independently by two examiners, and are not recorded. It is therefore not possible for Speaking Tests to be re-checked.

**Excluding Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers (YLE Starters, Movers and Flyers).

We advise all candidates considering making an enquiry to contact their exam centre as soon as possible after their result has been released to discuss the Enquiry on Results procedure.

To request a Stage 2 Enquiry on Results, the candidate must have already completed a Stage 1 Enquiry and received an outcome letter.

Enquiry on Results outcomes

It is possible for the candidate’s grade to go up, go down or remain the same.

If an Enquiry on Results leads to a grade change, Cambridge English will refund all enquiry fees and request the return of the original certificate and will issue an updated certificate and statement of results.

If the candidate is not satisfied with the outcome of the Enquiry on Results process, they are entitled to request a formal appeal against their result.

Cambridge English provides a service to enable examination centres and candidates to appeal against decisions that affect grades awarded to candidates. This appeals process applies to all Cambridge English Qualifications, except Young Learners.

In the case of IELTS, candidates who have taken the test at centres authorised by the British Council make their appeal via the test centre. Candidates who have taken the test at centres authorised by IDP Education Ltd make their appeal by contacting appeals.ielts@idp.com. Appeals are then taken forward by Cambridge English.

The appeals procedure focuses on whether, in the course of reaching decisions, Cambridge English (and, in the case of IELTS, British Council and IDP Education Ltd):

• used procedures which were consistent with the regulatory authorities' code of practice
• applied its procedures properly and fairly in arriving at judgements.

The appeals procedure is not concerned with making judgements about candidates' work in the examination; an appeal will not involve re-marking or re-assessment of a candidate's work, although further re-marking might be commissioned as a result of an appeal if it is found that procedures have not been satisfactorily followed.

Where the outcome of an appeal brings into question the accuracy of grades awarded in an assessment, Cambridge English (and, in the case of IELTS, British Council and IDP Education Ltd) will take all reasonable steps to identify any other candidate who may have been affected and wherever possible correct or mitigate the error.

Where the outcome of an appeal results in the discovery of a failure in one of our processes or systems, we will review the relevant process or system and take all reasonable steps to ensure that the failure does not happen again.

Conditions of appeal

Cambridge English will consider an appeal only if the following conditions are met:

1. The appeal is submitted in writing by the Centre Exams Manager clearly outlining the grounds upon which the appeal is being submitted. In the case of IELTS, the appeal is submitted by the Test Centre Administrator at British Council authorised centres, or by IDP Education Ltd.
2. The appeal is submitted within 21 calendar days of the receipt of the relevant decision.
3. Appellants must submit a completed appeals application form and make payment to the Centre Exams Manager or, in the case of IELTS, to the Test Centre Administrator before the end of the 21-day period. Appeals will not be accepted without payment.

For Cambridge English Qualifications, an appeal against a result may not be submitted unless both stages 1 and 2 of the Results Enquiry process have taken place first. For IELTS, an appeal against a result may not be submitted until an Enquiry on Results has been processed. (This condition does not apply to appeals against decisions relating to malpractice.)

Charges

There will be a charge for the submission of an appeal at both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the procedure. This charge will be refunded in full if the appeal is upheld. Refer to your centre for information about fees (or, in the case of IELTS tests taken at centres authorised by IDP Education Ltd, contact appeals.ielts@idp.com).

Appeals procedure: Pre-Appeal Process for Malpractice cases

The written evidence relating to the case will be reviewed by senior staff from Cambridge English. The purpose of the initial consideration is to decide whether any further actions relating to the appeal should be authorised (e.g. gathering of additional evidence).

Should this review result in a decision to uphold the appeal the centre/candidate will be notified.

For all other cases the appeal will proceed to Stage 1 of the procedure.

Appeals Procedure: Stage 1

The written evidence relating to the case will be considered by an independent authority.

Appellants will be notified in writing of the outcome of stage 1, including the outcome of any further work authorised, within 10 weeks of submission.

Appeals procedure: Stage 2

Appellants remaining dissatisfied may have their case considered in full by the Cambridge English Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee includes the Global Managing Director, English or senior staff nominated by them and at least one member who is not and has not been a member of the board or committees for UCLES/Cambridge English, or an UCLES/Cambridge English employee or examiner at any time during the previous seven years.

Formal applications for an appeal to be considered by the Appeals Committee should be made by the Centre Exams Manager/IELTS Administrator within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the outcome of the first stage appeal. (In the case of IELTS, the application is made by the Test Centre Administrator at British Council authorised centres, or by IDP Education Ltd.)

Appellants have the right to present their case in person to the Appeals Committee. If a candidate is under the age of 18 the parent or guardian will need to be present or can present the case on their behalf. The outcome of their appeal will be notified in writing within 10 weeks of submission of the Stage Two appeal request.

Consideration of an appeal by the Appeals Committee concludes the Cambridge English appeals procedure.

Appeals resulting in a change of decision

The outcome of an appeal may be a confirmation of the original decision or an overturning of this decision which may, in turn, lead to the award of a higher grade, a lower grade, or no grade change, or to the award of a grade where no previous grade was awarded.

Where an appeal leads to a change of syllabus grade or the award of a grade where no grade was previously awarded, any Results Enquiry and Appeals fees will be refunded in full, and an amended Statement of Results and Certificate, or Test Report Form in the case of IELTS, (where awarded) will be issued.

Further information

If you would like information or advice, please contact your nearest centre (or in the case of an IELTS test taken at a centre authorised by IDP Education Ltd, contact appeals.ielts@idp.com).