Cambridge English, the awarding body behind the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), has been fined £875,000 by the exams regulator Ofqual after tens of thousands of test takers were issued erroneous results over a two-year period. The penalty, imposed for what Ofqual described as “systemic failures,” reflects the scale of the error and the length of time it went undetected.
Scale of the failure
The inaccuracies, which stemmed from computer-automated marking errors in the listening and reading components of the IELTS test, affected 62,794 learners between August 2023 and September 2025. During that period, more than 7.7 million tests were administered globally. In total, 93,865 individual responses were incorrectly marked – meaning the computer system either gave a score for a wrong answer or failed to credit a correct one.
Of the affected candidates, 21,717 received a corrected overall qualification score after the errors were identified. The vast majority of these saw their overall result increased, while 1,115 had their scores lowered. Corrections to overall results were typically by 0.5 on the IELTS band scale of 0 to 9, with only two cases experiencing a change of a full point. In 2,740 instances, the corrected result led to a change in the candidate’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level – a metric often used by universities and employers to assess language proficiency.
How the marking system failed
Ofqual’s investigation traced the root cause to two specific technical failures in the automated marking system used for the on-screen listening and reading tests. The first involved answer keys being incorrectly ordered as data passed between the testing and marking systems, meaning that correct responses were matched to the wrong questions. The second concerned the system’s handling of diacritical marks – accents and umlauts – which, under IELTS policy, should have been ignored. Instead, the system sometimes awarded zero marks for responses that included such marks, even when the answer was otherwise correct.
The failures were not detected until September 2025, when Cambridge English was carrying out an update to its error-monitoring computer system. Ofqual highlighted “weaknesses in Cambridge English’s approach to automated marking systems, involving inadequate monitoring and error-detection mechanisms.” The regulator also noted that the problems could be traced back to a modernisation programme launched in 2019, which it described as having “serious deficiencies.”
The automated marking system was based on predefined answers set by human experts, with no machine learning or adaptive behaviour involved. Nevertheless, the incident has raised broader concerns about the reliability of automated marking in high-stakes assessments, particularly where minor technical glitches can have life-altering consequences for test takers.
Impact on test takers
The affected candidates were predominantly international students for whom IELTS results are a gateway to university admissions, scholarships, and employment. Ofqual’s executive director for delivery, Amanda Swann, said: “Tens of thousands of people took these tests with the expectation of accurate results which influence important decisions. Those who took these tests, as well as those who used them, were let down by systemic failures over a long period and our significant fine reflects this.”
Of the affected tests, 1,108 were related to UK visa applications, as they included the Secure English Language Test (SELT) component required by UK Visas and Immigration. Crucially, IELTS confirmed that four specific cases saw visa eligibility directly impacted by the initial incorrect results. In each of those four instances, the candidates have since retaken the test and met the entrance requirements. Ofqual stated it found no evidence of wider material harm arising from other organisations relying on incorrect results, though it acknowledged limitations in the available data.
Commentators have noted that candidates who received lower scores than they deserved may have missed out on “life-changing academic and professional opportunities,” including university places and scholarships. Cambridge English said it addressed additional support requests, including for 19 individuals who contacted the organisation regarding potentially missed opportunities.
Rectification and compensation
Once the errors were identified, Cambridge English moved to correct all affected results. More than 20,600 revised scores resulted in a higher qualification for candidates. The organisation spent over £6 million on correcting errors, compensating individuals, and investing in measures to prevent a recurrence. This included establishing a dedicated 24-hour support hub. A total of 26,246 test takers requested and received a refund, with the British Council’s IELTS refund policy indicating that refunds are generally provided if a result is changed to a higher band score, though an administrative fee may be deducted.
A spokesperson for IELTS said: “We apologise to those affected, and we take responsibility for the error that resulted in some people receiving incorrect results. Once this issue was identified, we acted to rectify it, correcting results and supporting people. We offered refunds or resits to everyone affected. We addressed additional support requests, including for 19 individuals who contacted us regarding potentially missed opportunities. We worked directly with recognising organisations and relevant authorities to help mitigate any harm. We have conducted a thorough review of what happened and have implemented additional operational controls and safeguards to prevent a recurrence.”
Cambridge English accepted the breaches and entered into a settlement agreement with Ofqual, which contributed to the £875,000 fine being lower than it might otherwise have been.
Regulatory context
The fine against Cambridge English follows a previous penalty of £750,000 imposed by Ofqual on Pearson in December 2025 for allowing malpractice in its English test. IELTS, jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is described as the “world’s most trusted English test” and faces increasing competition from new entrants. Earlier this year, IELTS withdrew from a Home Office tender for a new “fully remote” visa service, citing security concerns.
Ofqual’s action underscores the regulator’s commitment to maintaining public confidence in regulated qualifications, particularly those that carry such high stakes for international students and migrants. The fine – and the systemic failures that prompted it – will now be scrutinised by the broader testing industry as automated marking becomes ever more prevalent.
