IELTS on Computer or IELTS on Computer (Writing on Paper): What’s The Difference?

If you choose to take IELTS on Computer, you will take the Listening, Reading, and Writing components using a computer at an IELTS test centre.

Writing on Paper enables you to take your IELTS test on a computer and complete the Writing component by hand.

Here’s what happens if you choose the ‘Writing on Paper’ option: During your IELTS test, tasks for the Writing component will be shown on screen, but you will be given an IELTS Writing Answer Sheet and a pen to complete the tasks.

If writing comes more naturally than typing for you, our Writing on Paper option can help you to give your best performance on test day.

Note: IELTS on Computer (Writing on Paper) is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as one of the accepted tests for language proficiency for the Post Graduate Work Permit as well as Permanent Residency.

The task types, scoring and time allocation of the Writing component are the same whether you take it on computer or write on paper. The only difference is that you write your responses by hand. Writing on Paper is available for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

Note:

• Writing on Paper is not available for test takers taking an IELTS for UKVI test.

• Writing on Paper is currently being reviewed by the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs for visa applications. Therefore, if you plan to study, work or migrate to Australia, you will need to take the full IELTS on Computer option.

Writing on Paper is available in select cities and test centers and will be rolling out across Canada from mid-2026.

Book Writing on Paper Now

If you take IELTS on a computer, you will get your results typically within 48 hours of taking your test. If you take IELTS on Computer (Writing on Paper), you will receive your results within five days after your test date. Results will be delivered through eTRFs (digital or electronic Test Report Forms).

Your IELTS Test Results Form will not specify that you chose the Writing on Paper option. If you choose to take One Skill Retake for Writing on Paper, you must retake the Writing component in the same delivery mode you chose for your original test.

These faster processing times are another advantage for test takers over the now discontinued IELTS on Paper, where results would be available only 13 days after your test date.

* ‘Writing on Paper’ will be available in select cities and test centers in Canada from mid-2026

Book Writing on Paper Now

IDP* no longer offers the IELTS on paper test in Canada. You can still take your IELTS, the world's most trusted English language test, on computer. IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Computer Writing on Paper offers results typically within 1-5 days and is available throughout the week, offering you more flexibility.

*The IELTS test is jointly owned by British Council, IELTS Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 84 008 664 766), which is wholly owned by IDP Education Ltd ('IDP: IELTS Australia') and Cambridge Assessment English (part of the University of Cambridge), collectively referred to as the IELTS TEST PARTNERS or IELTS PARTNER.