By Fizza Butool Zaidi and Ali Zaidi · Updated 7 November 2026

How the computer-delivered Writing screen works

The Writing section lasts 60 minutes for both tasks together. IELTS suggests about 20 minutes for Task 1, which needs at least 150 words, and about 40 minutes for Task 2, which needs at least 250. On the computer test you must type your answers on screen (IELTS Academic Writing format (ielts.org)). Task 2 counts for more of your Writing band, so do not let Task 1 eat into its time.

Word counter. The test counts your words for you. IDP says the number of words you have typed shows in the lower-left corner of the screen (How IELTS on computer works (IDP)). You no longer need to count lines, as you would on paper. Our tool shows the count in the same place and tells you how far you are from the minimum.

Copy and paste. The computer test does not block editing. IDP lists deleting, changing answers quickly and using copy-paste among the things you can do (Preparing for IELTS on computer: common questions (IDP)). Copy and paste are useful for moving a sentence to a better paragraph. Copying whole phrases from the question is a different matter: those words do not show your own language, and IELTS penalises writing copied from another source.

Highlighting and notes. You can highlight text and make notes on screen. IDP explains that you select the text, then right-click to open a small menu (Preparing for IELTS on computer: common questions (IDP)), and IELTS Australia lists both tools as features of the computer test (Computer-delivered IELTS (IELTS Australia)). In Writing, the note-taking tool is for planning only: IELTS says the examiner will not see your notes, and your answer must not be written as notes or bullet points (IELTS Academic Writing format (ielts.org)).

Timer. A clock at the top middle of the screen counts down. IDP says it starts to flash in the last 10 minutes and again in the last 5 minutes of the Reading and Writing sections (How IELTS on computer works (IDP)). Our timer turns amber at 10 minutes and red at 5 minutes to match.

Saving. Your answers save automatically as you type, so there is no save button to remember (How IELTS on computer works (IDP)). The official IELTS pages we checked do not mention a spell checker among the on-screen tools, so plan to catch your own spelling mistakes. Our tool turns your browser's spell check off for the same reason.

Before test day, try the free official familiarisation test from your test centre's IELTS site as well. It shows the real screen layout, which no third-party tool can copy exactly.

How fast do you need to type?

Slower than most people think. Take Task 2: 250 words in 40 minutes. If you spend 5 minutes planning and 5 minutes checking, you have 30 minutes of typing. 250 ÷ 30 = about 8.3 words a minute. Aim for 270 words to stay safely over the minimum, and that is 270 ÷ 30 = 9 words a minute.

Task 1 works out the same way. With 3 minutes to study the task and 2 to check, you type for 15 minutes: 150 ÷ 15 = 10 words a minute. Across the whole hour, about 420 words in 45 minutes of typing is roughly 9.3 words a minute.

That is your writing speed, which includes thinking. Your raw typing speed, copying text you can see, should be much higher, so that the keyboard never slows your ideas. IDP suggests a typing speed of 30 to 40 words a minute while staying mostly accurate (Preparing for IELTS on computer: common questions (IDP)). If our tool shows you under 8 words a minute across a full task, practise typing on its own for 10 minutes a day.

Common typing mistakes in IELTS Writing

Missing capitals and full stops. Fast typists drop them. Without a spell checker or auto-capitals, a lower-case "i" or a new sentence without a capital costs accuracy marks.
Swapped letters. "Teh", "form" for "from" and "their" for "there" slip through because your eyes read what you meant. Save the last few minutes to read every line slowly.
No paragraph breaks. On screen it is easy to write one long block. Press Enter twice between paragraphs so the examiner sees your structure.
Watching the counter instead of the question. The live count is useful, but writing to reach a number leads to filler. Plan your ideas first, then use the count as a check.
Leftover text after editing. When you rewrite a sentence, half of the old one can remain. Check each edit before you move on.

Handwriting or typing?

IDP says it stopped offering the paper-based test from mid-2026, with timings that vary by country, and that some locations offer a Writing on Paper option (IELTS test delivery updates for 2026 (IDP)). With it, you take Listening and Reading on a computer, see the Writing tasks on screen and write your answers by hand on an answer sheet with the pen provided (IELTS Writing on Paper (IDP India)). IDP says the scores are comparable across formats.

Typing suits you if you already type every day: editing is fast, the counter replaces counting, and the examiner never has to read untidy handwriting. Handwriting may suit you if you rarely use a keyboard or type with two fingers. Time yourself both ways on the same question. If your typed answer is shorter or has more mistakes, either practise typing for a few weeks or ask your test centre about Writing on Paper.

Keep practising

Free IELTS Writing checker: paste your answer for a practice band estimate on each criterion
IELTS Writing Task 2 questions with sample essays
How to describe a line graph in Task 1
IELTS India goes fully computer-based from September 2026
How to practise typing your essays before test day

Sources

Checked on 7 November 2026. BandLadder is an independent preparation platform, not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge. Scores from our writing checker are practice estimates, not official IELTS results.