Covid-19 updates for test takers

As an added safety protocol amid the increasing Covid-19 cases, we are requiring candidates to present one of the following on their test day:

1. Proof of full vaccination (actual vaccination card or certificate). A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last dose 
2. Paper proof (hard copy) of a negative Covid-19 antigen test a day before the first test component.
3. Paper proof (hard copy) of a negative RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours before the first exam component.

4.  If you have recently recovered from Covid-19, paper proof (hard copy) of full recovery from your healthcare professional that you have been cleared of Covid-19 within six months before your test date.

This requirement is for the health and safety of all test-takers – if you are unable to comply with this at this point, we apologise – you may request a transfer or refund. For more information about our cancellation policy, please click here.

• Self-declaration form:

All test takers must sign a declaration form at the entrance of the exams area on test day to declare that they are eligible to attend the test session. 

Please do not attend your test if: 

• you are under a 14-day compulsory quarantine, stay-at-home order, medical surveillance or a self-quarantine order, as specified by the Philippine Government
• you have a high temperature, persistent cough, difficulty breathing or other flu-like symptoms.
• you have had close contact with confirmed Covid-19 case, or someone displaying Covid-19 symptoms

Under 18s

Test takers under 18 years of age are strongly recommended to be accompanied by an adult until the necessary checks at the entrance of the test venue have been completed. If you are then excluded from the test, you and your accompanying adult must leave immediately. If you have not been given permission to leave the test venue unaccompanied, you will be escorted to a holding area until an adult comes to pick you up. Our staff will follow the British Council child protection policy and procedures when they proceed with this arrangement.

This requirement is for the health and safety of all test-takers – if you are unable to comply with this at this point, we apologise – you may request a transfer or refund.

• We are implementing temperature screening in the test venue before test takers enter the exams area. Test takers with symptoms of fever will not be able to take the test
• We advise you to report an additional 30 minutes prior to the previously specified arrival time of the test 
• Please follow basic hygiene practices such as using hand-sanitiser provided on test day and regularly washing your hands
• Please maintain a one metre distance from other test takers or staff wherever possible
• Please bring your face mask that covers your mouth and nose and a full face shield.  You may be requested to remove this for identification or other purposes. 
• For speaking tests staff and examiners may/will also wear a face mask. Neither the test taker nor the examiner can insist that the other remove or put on a mask for the purpose of the interview
• All test venues will be thoroughly cleaned prior to the start of the test. For computer delivered tests, equipment will be cleaned between sessions
• You will be asked to take any stationery you use at the venue away with you except scratch paper, notes or workings sheets.

After your test:

If you are diagnosed with Covid-19 within 14 days after you take your test, please report this to your test centre by email. This will help ensure we can communicate with other test takers and follow local health authority and government advice.

Affected test takers will be contacted by our team in order to reschedule their test free-of-charge up to six months.

1. All test takers may now reschedule their test free-of-charge by up to six months, with a minimum of 24 hours' notice.
2. Full refunds will be given where tests have been cancelled due to the community quarantine guidelines
3. Full refunds may also be given in exceptional cases such as Covid-19 illness, stay-at-home orders or equivalent.

Please complete a test date rescheduling and refund form (pdf or doc) and email it to britishcouncil@britishcouncil.org.ph. We will send a confirmation within five working days. Please note that refunds may take up to eight weeks to process because of the office shutdown implemented by authorities.

Additional Test Result Forms

To request additional copies of your IELTS Test Result Form, visit this link. Note that we will not be able to send out hard copies of the TRF until our offices re-open following the current closure period.

The list below shows the status of our professional and other exams. Test takers should read the special test taker measures (in the expandable section below) and be fully prepared to comply. 

Please do not attend your exam if: 

• you are under a 14-day compulsory quarantine, stay-at-home order, medical surveillance or a self-quarantine order, as specified by the Philippines government 
• you have a high temperature, persistent cough, difficulty breathing or other flu-like symptoms.

Re-scheduling and refunds

If your exam is cancelled or you are unable to attend your exam, please contact your exam board directly, so that they can manage any refunds or re-scheduling with you.