IELTS on paper test
Complete IELTS Reading, Listening, and Writing on paper and Speaking face-to-face with an examiner.
You can take IELTS Academic test and General Training test on paper. The contents, test part times, question types, scoring and results of the IELTS on paper test are the exact same as the IELTS on computer test, but your test day experience is a little different. Test day staff will hand you booklets and answer sheets before each test and will then collect these booklets and answer sheets, before moving on to the next test part.
If you take IELTS on paper, you will complete the Reading, Listening and Writing parts on paper. You can use a pen or HB-pencil to complete your Writing test, but you must use an HB-pencil to write your Listening and Reading answers on the answer sheet. In the IELTS on paper test, the Writing, Reading, and Listening tests are all completed on the same day with no breaks between each test. The Speaking test is completed in a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner, and this can be done one week before or after your test date.
For updated fees and pricing, please visit the dedicated test centres pages.
For both IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer, you will not be able to bring your own paper into the test for security reasons. If you are sitting IELTS on computer, we will provide you with a pencil and paper. You also receive paper for your Speaking test to help you organise your thoughts as you speak with the examiner.
Yes, you are encouraged to write notes on the question booklets. IELTS examiners do not have access to your question booklets.
The test centre will provide pencils for the IELTS Listening, Reading, and Writing tests. This is because tests are scanned and work best with pencil. It also means that you can easily erase and rewrite words.
We post your test results to you as soon as they are released, which is typically within 1 to 5 days for IELTS on computer and 13 calendar days for IELTS on paper. Some test centres will allow test takers to pick up their Test Report Form directly from the centre, so we recommend contacting them prior to the release of results to discuss this.
If you have been waiting on your IELTS Test Report Form (TFR) with your official result, but have not received it, we recommend contacting your test centre. In some rare circumstances, IELTS results can be delayed because of security and integrity reasons. If there are concerns about any matter associated with your test and if it is considered that malpractice may have occurred, you will be advised that your results have been withheld. In exceptional circumstances, it may be required that you need to re-sit one or more IELTS test parts.
If you choose to take IELTS on computer, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing test parts using a computer.
If you choose to take the IELTS on paper, you will complete the Listening, Reading and Writing test parts on paper.
The Speaking test for both paper and computer are face to face with an examiner. This is the best way to measure your speaking skills as it takes a more realistic approach: a life-like conversation with an examiner.
The test format, question types, time allocated to each test part and content is the same for both the IELTS on computer and the IELTS on paper test.
And because the content for both the IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer test is the same, the level of difficulty is also same. The only difference might be your level of confidence in sitting your IELTS test on a computer. If you are tech savvy, you might prefer to take IELTS on a computer.
If you take IELTS on computer, you will receive your results typically within 1 to 5 days after sitting your test. However, if you take IELTS on paper, you will receive your results 13 days after sitting your test.
If you take IELTS on Computer, you will do the tests in the following order on the same day: Listening, Reading and Writing, with the Speaking test before or after this test session.
If you take IELTS on Paper, you will do the tests in the following order: Listening, Reading and Writing. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test can be done on the same day, or up to 7 days either before or after the test date.
