The delivery modes side by side
From the ielts.org pages on ways to take IELTS, IELTS Online and Writing on Paper:
| IELTS on computer | Computer (Writing on Paper) | IELTS Online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Official test centre | Official test centre, selected countries | Home or a private room |
| Tests | Academic, General Training, UKVI | Academic, General Training (not UKVI) | Academic only |
| Speaking | Face to face with an examiner | Face to face with an examiner | Video call with an examiner |
| Results | 1–5 days | Within 5 days | 6–8 days |
| TRF | Paper or eTRF (varies by country) | TRF does not show the Writing mode | eTRF only, marked as online |
| Visas and registration | Accepted where IELTS is | Accepted where IELTS is | Not accepted for immigration or professional registration |
What happened to IELTS on paper?
On 5 March 2026 IELTS announced that from mid-2026 the paper-based test will no longer be offered and all tests will be on computer, with dates varying by market (ielts.org). IDP India already shows paper as discontinued (IDP India). Full details: IELTS paper test ending.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →IELTS Online: who accepts it and what you need
Each organisation decides whether to accept IELTS Online, and ielts.org tells you to check with the institution before booking. It says IELTS Online is not accepted by governments and organisations for immigration or professional registration (ielts.org). UKVI accepts only tests taken in person at a centre (ielts.org).
You must be 18 or over and need a laptop or desktop with one screen, Windows or macOS, a webcam, microphone and speakers (headphones are not allowed), and a quiet private room. The test runs on the Inspera Exam Portal with human and AI proctoring, and you get one 5-minute bathroom break between sections (ielts.org).
Which one to book
For a visa, migration or professional registration, book IELTS on computer at a centre (UKVI version for most UK visas). For a university that accepts IELTS Online, the home test is an option but results take longer. If you write faster by hand, ask your centre whether Writing on Paper is offered. Only computer-delivered tests give access to One Skill Retake.
Results on computer arrive in 1–5 days per ielts.org; its page for organisations says 1–2 days (ielts.org for organisations).
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS Online accepted for visas?+
No. ielts.org says IELTS Online is not accepted for immigration or professional registration.
Is IELTS Online the same test as at a centre?+
Yes, it has the same format, questions, timing and marking criteria as IELTS Academic at a test centre.
Can I take IELTS General Training online?+
No. IELTS Online is available only for the Academic test.
Is IELTS on computer faster than paper?+
Yes. Computer results take 1–5 days. ielts.org no longer lists a paper timing because paper is being withdrawn from mid-2026.
Can I use headphones for IELTS Online?+
No. You need speakers and a microphone; headphones are not allowed.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS paper test ending
- How long IELTS results take
- IELTS test day rules
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy