From mid-2026, IELTS is no longer offered as a paper-based test. According to the official IELTS website, all IELTS tests will be delivered on computer, with exact timelines varying from country to country. If you are preparing for IELTS now, you will almost certainly take it on a computer.
The good news: the test itself hasn’t changed. The skills, question types, timing and scoring are the same, and the Speaking test is still a face-to-face conversation with an examiner. What changes is how you answer: typing instead of handwriting, reading from a screen, and clicking instead of filling in an answer sheet. This guide explains exactly what to expect and how to prepare.
IELTS on computer: the key facts#
| IELTS on computer | |
|---|---|
| Content, question types, timing | Same as the paper test |
| Scoring | Same band scores. IELTS research found results are comparable across formats |
| Listening, Reading, Writing | On a computer at a test centre, one after another on the same day |
| Speaking | Face-to-face with an examiner, on the same day or, at some centres, up to 7 days before or after |
| Answers | Typed or clicked on screen; pens and scrap paper are provided for notes |
| Results | Usually within 1–5 days |
| One Skill Retake | Retake one section within 60 days (selected test centres) |
| Writing on Paper | Handwrite the Writing test only, in selected countries (not for UKVI) |
| Existing paper results | Still valid for the usual two-year period |
When does paper end where you live? The change is happening country by country through 2026. Local reports say, for example, that paper testing ended in Bangladesh early in 2026 and that India moved to computer-only testing from September 2026. Always check with your local test centre (British Council or IDP) before booking.
What the test looks like, section by section#
Listening (about 30 minutes)#
You wear headphones provided by the test centre and type or click your answers on screen while you listen. The recordings, question types and number of questions (40) are the same as on paper.
The main difference is time. On paper, candidates had 10 extra minutes at the end to transfer answers to an answer sheet. On computer you don’t need to transfer anything, so there is only a short review period at the end, about 2 minutes, to check your answers. That means you must type answers as you go, and spelling has to be right the first time.
You can highlight words in the questions and make notes on screen or on your scrap paper, which is useful for predicting answers before each recording starts.
Reading (60 minutes)#
The passage usually appears on one side of the screen and the questions on the other, so you scroll through the text instead of turning pages. You can highlight words and add notes. Depending on the question type, you type a word, click an option or drag and drop an answer (for example, in matching headings).
There is still no extra time to transfer answers, so the 60 minutes are all reading time. A timer on screen shows how much time is left.
Writing (60 minutes)#
You type both tasks. Most candidates find this an advantage: it is easy to edit, move sentences and correct mistakes, and the screen shows a word count so you don’t need to count by hand. There is no spellchecker, so spelling and punctuation are still your responsibility.
In selected countries you can choose IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper, where Listening and Reading are on computer but you handwrite the Writing test. This option is not available for IELTS for UKVI.
Speaking (11–14 minutes)#
Nothing changes. Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a trained examiner in a quiet room, in three parts. See our Speaking topics with sample answers and Part 2 cue cards to practise.
Advantages and challenges#
Advantages
- Faster results: usually within 1–5 days instead of about two weeks.
- Easier editing in Writing, with an automatic word count.
- Clear sound through individual headphones in Listening.
- More test dates at many centres, often several per week.
- One Skill Retake: if one score is below your target, you can retake just that section.
Challenges
- Typing speed: slow typing costs time in Writing. If you rarely type in English, start practising now.
- Reading on screen can be tiring, and some people find it harder to keep their place when scrolling.
- Less time to check Listening answers than on paper.
- No spellchecker, so typos count as mistakes in Listening and Reading answers.
How to prepare for IELTS on computer#
- Take the official familiarisation test. The official IELTS website offers free computer-delivered practice tests so you can see the real screens, tools and timer before test day.
- Practise typing your essays. Write at least one Task 1 and one Task 2 answer a week on a computer, against the clock. Use our Task 1 practice editor (20 minutes, 150 words) and Task 2 essay guides (40 minutes, 250 words), or paste any essay into the IELTS word counter.
- Read long texts on screen. Do your reading practice on a laptop, not on paper, and practise highlighting keywords. Try our reading question types with practice passages and timed reading practice tests.
- Type Listening answers while you listen. Practise with listening practice tests and type your answers in real time; then check your spelling against the answer key.
- Practise under exam conditions. Use a timer, no breaks, and headphones, so the real test feels familiar.
One Skill Retake#
If you take IELTS on computer and miss your target in one section, you may be able to retake just that section instead of the whole test. Your other scores are kept. The main rules, according to official IELTS information:
- You must have taken a full IELTS test on computer (including Writing on Paper) at a centre that offers the retake.
- You must book the retake within 60 days of your original test.
- You can retake one section, once, for each full test.
- A Speaking retake is face-to-face with an examiner, and a Writing on Paper retake is taken on paper again.
Not every test centre or every test type offers One Skill Retake, so check before you book your full test.
Frequently asked questions#
Is IELTS on computer harder than the paper test?#
No. The questions, timing and scoring are the same, and IELTS research found that scores are comparable across formats. Some candidates find computer Writing easier (typing and editing) and computer Listening slightly harder (less checking time), so practise in the format you will take.
Is the paper-based IELTS still available?#
IELTS has announced that paper-based tests end from mid-2026, with timelines varying by country. In some countries you can still choose to handwrite the Writing section (Writing on Paper). Check your local test centre for current options.
Do I need to be fast at typing?#
You don’t need to be a professional typist, but you need to type around 300 words in 40 minutes comfortably, while thinking. If that’s difficult now, practise typing essays regularly for a few weeks before your test.
Is there a spellchecker or grammar checker?#
No. Spelling and grammar are part of what is assessed, so there are no correction tools.
How quickly do I get my results?#
Usually within 1–5 days of your test date, although this can vary by test centre.
Can I take IELTS on computer at home?#
The standard IELTS on computer is taken at an official test centre. A separate online version taken from home exists in some countries for some purposes, but it is not accepted everywhere, so check with your university or visa authority first.
Test details can change. Always confirm current information on the official IELTS website or with your test centre before booking. Information correct as of October 2026.