Should I retake IELTS if I plan to go for January intake in Australia/Canada?

It depends. Your IELTS score of 6.5 from December 2024 is typically valid for two years, so it should be accepted for January 2027 intake at most universities in Canada, the USA, Australia, and the UAE.

However, some universities require the IELTS score to be valid at the time of application or enrollment, and may not accept scores older than two years. Since your score will be close to expiring, you may need to retake the IELTS if a university has stricter requirements.

If you are unsure about a specific university's policy, connect with your LeapScholar counsellor for guidance.