IELTS Guatemala cancellation

You will be aware of the global concern regarding the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico. It is with this in mind that we regret to inform you that the Embassy has had no alternative but to postpone the date of the exams until 23 July 2009. You may be aware that our colleagues at the British Council in Mexico City were scheduled to travel to administer the IELTS exams. The Embassy feels that it would not be responsible to have individuals from Mexico exposed to airport staff, hotel staff, IELTS candidates, Torre Internacional occupants and Embassy staff. In consultation with The British Council in Mexico City the Embassy has considered a variety of alternatives to ensure that the exams took place this week as scheduled. These consultations included, but were not limited to:

• one examiner travelling to Guatemala from Mexico & carrying out the exam, wearing a mask
• flying in an examiner from elsewhere in Latin America

The first alternative would be impractical because this would not be fair to test candidates.  The second alternative is not possible due to the very short notice (nor are we sure that someone from outside the region would wish to travel into the region). So our only remaining option is to re-schedule the test session until the next available date (23 July).  We should emphasise that all registered candidates will automatically retain their registration for the July session unless they decide to request a refund of their test fees from the Embassy.

Refunds

In these exceptional circumstances, the Embassy will permit refunds to candidates, but candidates must understand that they will not retain their IELTS registration.  Candidates should notify Patricia Lemus at embassy@intelnett.com by Wednesday 6 May if they wish to receive a refund of their IELTS fees for the cancelled April test session.  Unfortunately refunds cannot be paid until Wednesday 6 May or any working day thereafter. The Embassy is very sorry to pass on this what must be very disappointing news, but we do hope you understand that sometimes nature does take things out of one's control.