| Undergraduate | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) |
| Postgraduate | 7.0 (no band below 6.5) |
| Test type | IELTS Academic only |
| Score validity | 2 years from test date |
Requirements may vary by faculty. Always check the specific course page before applying.
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) lets you retake a single section — Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking — within 60 days of your original computer-delivered IELTS test, instead of sitting the full exam again. You receive a new Test Report Form showing both your original scores and the updated section score.
OSR is only available for computer-delivered IELTS tests taken at eligible test centres. It is not available for paper-based IELTS or IELTS Online. The retake fee is typically 60–70% of the full IELTS fee.
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Most likely yes, though this has not been confirmed directly from University of Waterloo's official admissions page. Listed among Canadian universities accepting OSR. Note: Canada's SDS visa does not accept OSR — always verify visa implications separately. Note: even if accepted by the university, Canada's Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa does not accept OSR scores.
Undergraduate programmes require 6.5 (no band below 6.0). Postgraduate programmes require 7.0 (no band below 6.5). Requirements can vary by faculty — always check the specific course page on University of Waterloo's website.
The OSR is a single-section test. Each section takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on which skill you are retaking. You must book within 60 days of your original computer-delivered IELTS test date.
No. Your OSR result is valid for 2 years from the date of your original full IELTS test — not from the date of the retake. Factor this into your application timeline.
If University of Waterloo does not accept OSR, you will need to retake the full four-section IELTS exam. Use your OSR attempt as practice to identify your strongest preparation approach, then book a full test when you are ready.
University OSR policies can change between intake cycles. To confirm the current policy for your specific programme at University of Waterloo: