Key facts
- IELTS examinations in China will resume on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Cancellations occurred on October 10, 11, 12, and 13 due to technical problems.
- The British Council will offer two free make-up sessions on October 19 and 20.
- Affected candidates will receive free exam vouchers for future use or a refund.
- Reimbursement for reasonable travel and accommodation costs will be provided to affected candidates.
The British Council announced that its IELTS examinations across China will resume on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, following four days of cancellations due to technical issues. The cancellations, which affected exams on October 10, 11, 12, and 13, occurred during the peak season for overseas university admissions, causing significant disruption for test-takers.
To address the inconvenience, the British Council will offer two free make-up sessions on October 19 and 20 for affected candidates. Additionally, candidates who had already registered for other sessions will receive a refund while retaining their exam qualification, or they can opt for a free transfer to the special make-up sessions. Those unable to attend the special sessions and who have not yet registered for another exam will receive a free exam voucher valid until the end of December 2026. The organization has apologized for the disruption and stated that the cancellations were necessary to maintain the fairness and integrity of the exams due to potential impacts on exam security.