Covid 19: Exams FAQ

What guidelines does the British Council follow?

We follow the national guidelines as stipulated by the Dutch Government. We will continue to take extra precautions to ensure that anyone who is ill or may have been in contact with someone suspected of carrying the Covid-19 virus does not come to the exam venue. 

Therefore please do NOT attend your test if:

  • You are currently under a compulsory quarantine, stay-at-home order, medical surveillance or self-quarantine order, as specified by the local government.
  • You have a fever, persistent cough, are short of breath or have flu-like symptoms.
  • You have been diagnosed with Covid.

If any of the above applies to you, please contact the centre by email as soon as possible to discuss the terms and conditions of your transfer to another test date.

Please be informed that in case you display any of the symptoms listed above on the test day, you may be asked to leave the test room and you will not be able to complete your test. We will 

We have put the following measures in place to make our test centres as safe as possible: 

  • Test venues will be cleaned thoroughly prior to each test session. 
  • In the case of computer-delivered tests all equipment will be sanitised prior to each session.

I cannot take my exam due to Covid-19, what is the refund policy?

For Cambridge exams we offer one free transfer in case you suffer from Covid or are under quarantine / self-isolation / travel restrictions. Proof needs to be provided via a positive Covid test result / medical certificate / formal confirmation of obligatory quarantine / self-isolation / or travel restriction covering the date of the test.

In case you cannot provide sufficient evidence (see above) or prefer a refund for medical reasons rather than a transfer the standard refund procedure applies with the admin fee deducted. In case a subsequent transfer is requested on a Covid-related basis standard refund procedure applies with admin fee deducted. 

Please note: candidates will need to inform us of absence, no later than one working day post the actual exam date.

Are you planning to open new exam sessions? Where can I find information about available test dates in my city / area / country?

Information about available exam sessions is provided on our website and the specific sessions will be opened in our registration system. Please check for information on available exams dates IELTS and Cambridge Assessment English.

How / when can I view online my results and receive my test certificate?

You can access your results for IELTS through your profile on the IELTS Candidate Portal. You can preview your IELTS test results 13 calendar days from the test date for paper-based tests and 1-5 calendar days for computer delivered tests.

Results for Cambridge English exams are available on the Cambridge English website to which you received your personal code. Cambridge English exam results are available four to six weeks from the exam date for paper-based exams and two weeks for computer-based exams. Please check your confirmation of entry form for the estimated result date or contact your exam centre.

The test centre will inform you of the method of delivery of your IELTS Test Report Form or your Cambridge English certificate. 

We are not able to provide test results over the phone, by email or fax for security reasons.

Where can I find more info about my exam session (venue, hour, etc.)?

You will be sent a session timetable with all information required for the test day (venue, hour of arrival, time of test, etc.). If you do not receive any communication three days before the exam please contact your test centre immediately.

How I can contact Customer Service?

Our customer services teams will support you via exams@britishcouncil.nl. We will be in touch as soon as possible.

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