The British Council, which administers the IELTS test in Vietnam, said the use of backup IELTS tests was implemented recently to ensure a safe and transparent testing process, following online claims of test leaks.
Late last week, social media posts alleged that the Listening, Reading and Writing sections of the IELTS test on one occasion had been leaked in advance. According to these posts, the leaked test was replaced with a backup version that some candidates described as “harder”.
In response, the British Council stated on Tuesday that backup tests may be used in certain situations to maintain the integrity of the examination process.
Candidates are advised to prepare using official IELTS materials. The Council warned that any candidate found cheating on the test could have their results canceled and face a five-year ban from retaking the test.
Some test-takers expressed concerns that the backup tests were more challenging than the standard version.
Nguyen Thu Trang, a university student in Hanoi who took the test on Feb. 22, commented that the test featured unfamiliar vocabulary that caused confusion.
Hoang Phong from Ho Chi Minh City also noted differences in the Listening, Reading and Writing sections. “It was too hard; I didn’t have enough time to finish it,” he said.
Several candidates reported that facing the more difficult backup test had a negative psychological impact on their performance.
The British Council maintained that all test versions, including backup tests, adhere to strict standards regarding difficulty and fairness.
The IELTS, an English proficiency test taken by over 2 million candidates annually, assesses listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
In Vietnam, the test is also used as a criterion for university entrance. Starting March 29, the IELTS test will be administered exclusively on computers.
