Terms of Service

These Terms govern your use of our IELTS preparation platform and all related educational services. Please read them carefully as they contain important information about your rights and obligations.

1. Service Description

Core Educational Services:

• Practice Tests: Full-length and sectional IELTS practice examinations
• Skill Development: Targeted exercises for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
• Performance Analytics: Detailed scoring, feedback, and progress tracking
• Personalized Learning: AI-powered study plans and recommendations
• Interactive Content: Multimedia educational materials and resources
• Assessment Tools: Diagnostic tests and skill level evaluations

Advanced Features:

• Virtual Classroom: Live instruction and group learning sessions
• Speaking Practice: AI-powered speaking assessment and feedback
• Writing Evaluation: Automated and human essay scoring
• Progress Dashboard: Comprehensive learning analytics and insights
• Mobile Learning: Cross-device synchronization and mobile app access

Educational Disclaimer:

2. Eligibility and Account Requirements

Age Requirements:

• 13+ Years: Users must be at least 13 years old to create an account
• Under 13: Accounts require parental consent and supervision
• Under 18: Enhanced privacy protections and parental notification apply
• Educational Accounts: School-sponsored accounts may have different age requirements

Account Registration:

• Provide accurate, complete, and current information
• Maintain and update your account information promptly
• Choose a unique username and secure password
• Verify your email address before account activation
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account

Account Types:

• Individual Student: Personal learning accounts with full feature access
• Family Account: Multiple student profiles under parental supervision
• Educational Institution: Bulk accounts for schools and classrooms
• Teacher Account: Professional accounts with student management features

3. Educational Use License

Permitted Uses:

• Personal Study: Individual IELTS preparation and skill development
• Educational Research: Academic research on language learning (with permission)
• Classroom Instruction: Use by authorized educational institutions
• Practice and Review: Repeated access to study materials and exercises
• Progress Tracking: Monitoring your learning journey and achievements

License Limitations:

• License is personal and non-transferable
• No commercial use or resale of content permitted
• No modification or creation of derivative works
• No reverse engineering or unauthorized access attempts
• Compliance with intellectual property and copyright laws required

Educational Integrity:

4. Payment Terms and Billing

Pricing and Billing:

• Subscription Plans: Monthly, quarterly, and annual billing options available
• Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled
• Payment Methods: Credit cards, debit cards, and alternative payment methods
• Currency: All prices displayed in USD unless otherwise specified
• Tax Calculation: Applicable taxes added based on billing location

Billing Terms:

• Subscription fees charged in advance on recurring basis
• Payment failure may result in service suspension after grace period
• Price changes require 30 days advance notice
• Educational discounts available for verified students and institutions
• All sales final unless otherwise specified in refund policy

Payment Security:

• PCI DSS Level 1 compliant payment processing
• Fraud detection and prevention measures
• Secure encrypted transmission of payment data
• Regular security audits and compliance verification

5. Refund and Cancellation Policy

Refund Eligibility:

• New Subscriptions: Full refund within 14 days of initial purchase
• Renewals: Refund available within 48 hours of automatic renewal
• Upgrades: Pro-rated refund for unused portion of previous plan
• Technical Issues: Refund for service outages exceeding 24 hours
• Dissatisfaction: No-questions-asked refund within guarantee period

Cancellation Process:

• Cancel anytime through account settings or customer support
• Cancellation takes effect at end of current billing period
• Continued access to premium features until period expires
• Account data preserved for 30 days after cancellation
• Re-activation possible within 30-day grace period

Refund Processing:

• Refunds processed to original payment method within 5-10 business days
• Credit card refunds may take additional time depending on issuer
• Alternative payment method refunds processed per provider policies
• Refund confirmation sent via email upon processing

6. Acceptable Use Policy

Permitted Activities:

• Personal Learning: Individual study and IELTS preparation
• Educational Use: Classroom instruction by authorized teachers
• Progress Tracking: Monitoring your learning development
• Content Review: Reviewing practice tests and educational materials
• Collaborative Learning: Group study within educational institutions

Prohibited Activities:

• Account Sharing: Sharing login credentials with unauthorized users
• Content Piracy: Copying, distributing, or reselling our content
• Cheating: Using materials to cheat on official examinations
• System Abuse: Attempting to hack, disrupt, or damage our systems
• Commercial Use: Using our platform for commercial purposes without permission
• Impersonation: Creating accounts under false identities
• Spam/Harassment: Sending unwanted communications or harassing other users

Enforcement:

• Violations may result in warnings, account suspension, or termination
• Repeated violations result in permanent account closure
• Serious violations reported to appropriate authorities
• No refunds for accounts terminated due to policy violations

7. Intellectual Property Rights

Our Intellectual Property:

• Platform Technology: Software, algorithms, and technical infrastructure
• Educational Content: Practice tests, exercises, and instructional materials
• Assessment Tools: Scoring systems and feedback mechanisms
• Brand Assets: MapleIELTS name, logos, and trademarks
• User Interface: Design, layout, and user experience elements

Third-Party Content:

• Licensed content used with proper authorization
• Third-party trademarks acknowledged and respected
• Open source components used in compliance with licenses
• Educational materials adapted with permission where applicable

Copyright Protection:

• All unauthorized reproduction or distribution prohibited
• DMCA compliance procedures for copyright infringement claims
• Educational fair use limitations apply to user activities
• Commercial use requires explicit written permission

8. Educational Disclaimers

Practice vs. Official Testing:

• Practice Only: Our tests are for preparation, not official IELTS examinations
• Score Estimates: Practice scores are estimates and may not reflect actual test performance
• Official Registration: You must register separately for official IELTS tests
• Test Center Requirements: Official tests must be taken at authorized centers
• Preparation Tool: Our platform is a study aid, not a replacement for official testing

Performance Disclaimers:

• No guarantee of specific IELTS scores or improvement
• Individual results vary based on effort, ability, and other factors
• Practice test scores may differ from official test results
• Platform effectiveness depends on consistent usage and study habits
• External factors may influence actual test performance

Service Availability:

• Platform provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
• Service availability subject to maintenance and technical requirements
• Features may be updated, modified, or discontinued
• No guarantee of uninterrupted access or error-free operation

9. Platform Availability and Performance

We strive to provide reliable access to our educational platform while acknowledging the inherent limitations of internet-based services.

Service Level Expectations:

• Uptime Target: 99.5% availability excluding scheduled maintenance
• Maintenance Windows: Scheduled during off-peak hours with advance notice
• Performance Standards: Fast loading times and responsive user interface
• Cross-Device Support: Compatible with modern browsers and mobile devices
• Data Backup: Regular backups to prevent data loss

Service Interruptions:

• Emergency maintenance may occur without advance notice
• Third-party service dependencies may affect availability
• Force majeure events may temporarily disrupt service
• User notification provided for significant outages
• Service credits available for extended outages per refund policy

10. Data Protection and Privacy

Your privacy and data protection are fundamental to our educational mission. Please review our comprehensive Privacy Policyfor detailed information.

Data Protection Commitment:

• Educational Purpose: Data used solely for legitimate educational purposes
• Security Measures: Industry-standard encryption and security protocols
• Privacy Rights: Full respect for user privacy rights under applicable laws
• Data Minimization: Collection limited to necessary educational information
• Transparent Practices: Clear disclosure of data collection and usage

Regulatory Compliance:

• GDPR compliance for European users
• CCPA compliance for California residents
• FERPA compliance for educational records
• COPPA compliance for users under 13
• Regular compliance audits and updates

11. Limitation of Liability

Exclusions of Liability:

• Indirect Damages: No liability for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Lost Profits: No liability for business losses or lost profits
• Data Loss: No liability for data loss beyond our reasonable control
• Third-Party Actions: No liability for third-party service failures
• User Content: No liability for user-generated content or submissions

Maximum Liability:

• Total liability limited to fees paid in preceding 12 months
• Minimum liability cap of $100 where legally required
• Separate liability caps for different types of claims
• Insurance coverage maintained for platform operations

12. Account Security and Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and protecting your personal information while using our platform.

Security Responsibilities:

• Password Security: Create strong, unique passwords and keep them confidential
• Account Monitoring: Regularly review account activity for unauthorized access
• Device Security: Log out from shared or public devices
• Suspicious Activity: Report unauthorized access immediately
• Software Updates: Keep your devices and browsers updated

Account Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and truthful account information
• Update account details when information changes
• Comply with all platform policies and guidelines
• Use account solely for authorized educational purposes
• Accept responsibility for all account activity

13. Termination and Suspension

Either party may terminate this agreement under certain circumstances as outlined below.

User Termination Rights:

• Voluntary Termination: Cancel account at any time through account settings
• Immediate Effect: Termination effective immediately upon request
• Data Export: Download your data before account closure
• Refund Eligibility: Unused subscription time refunded per policy

Platform Termination Rights:

• Policy Violations: Termination for breach of terms or policies
• Fraudulent Activity: Immediate termination for fraud or abuse
• Legal Compliance: Termination required by law or regulation
• Service Discontinuation: Platform closure with advance notice

Post-Termination:

• Account data deleted within 30 days unless legally required to retain
• Backup data purged from all systems
• No access to platform services or content
• Certain provisions survive termination (e.g., intellectual property, liability)

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by applicable law and any disputes will be resolved through the procedures outlined below.

Governing Law:

• Terms governed by laws of the jurisdiction where you reside
• International users subject to applicable international agreements
• Educational institutions subject to applicable education laws
• Privacy rights governed by applicable data protection laws

Dispute Resolution Process:

• Direct Communication: Attempt to resolve disputes through customer support
• Mediation: Voluntary mediation for unresolved disputes
• Arbitration: Binding arbitration for commercial disputes
• Small Claims Court: Right to pursue claims in small claims court
• Class Action Waiver: Individual disputes only, no class actions

15. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms of Service to reflect changes in our services, technology, or legal requirements.

Update Process:

• Advance Notice: 30 days notice for material changes
• Email Notification: Updates sent to registered email addresses
• Platform Notice: Prominent display of changes on platform
• Effective Date: Clear indication when changes take effect
• Continued Use: Using platform after changes indicates acceptance

User Options:

• Review changes before they become effective
• Contact support with questions about modifications
• Cancel account if you disagree with changes
• Download data before cancellation due to term changes

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, legal matters, or account issues, please contact us: