IELTS on paper ends mid-2026: Shift to computer tests & One Skill Retake
Table of contents
▪ IELTS on paper will be discontinued from mid-2026
▪ Computer-based IELTS: Writing & Speaking formats & test day schedule
▪ Three major benefits of taking IELTS on computer
▪ UK universities accepting IELTS One Skill Retake
▪ Fees for IELTS test & One Skill Retake 2026: Macau, Hong Kong, Birmingham
Introduction
This blog post provides the latest IELTS updates on test delivery formats, Writing and Speaking formats, the benefits of IELTS on computer (including IELTS One Skill Retake), and current test fees. The aim is to equip prospective test takers with information about recent changes, clarify any confusion they may have, and guide them in choosing the IELTS exam that best matches their abilities and preferences.
IELTS on paper will be discontinued from mid-2026
IELTS on paper will no longer be available globally starting from mid-2026, with all tests transitioning to computer-based formats (IELTS, 2026). This will include tests taken at official test centres, namely IELTS on computer, IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper and IELTS for UKVI on computer (British Council, no date – a). Exact timelines vary by the market (IELTS, 2026).
In Macau and the UK, IELTS on paper will be discontinued by the British Council starting from July 2026, while in Hong Kong, it will end at the same time by both the British Council and IDP (British Council, no date – b).
To support candidates who prefer handwriting, a new Writing on Paper option will be introduced in some centres and locations (IELTS, 2026), such as the British Council Admiralty Hong Kong. This allows test takers to complete the Writing component by hand, while completing the Listening and Reading components on computer, so they can continue to benefit from faster results and other features of IELTS on computer (British Council, no date – c). This format is called IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper. Please note that this Writing on Paper option is not available for the IELTS for UKVI tests (IELTS, no date).
Importantly, these test delivery changes (i.e., IELTS on computer, IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper, and IELTS for UKVI on computer) do not affect the test itself. The format, question types, scoring and assessment, and global recognition remain identical to those of the traditional IELTS on paper (British Council, no date – d).
Computer-based IELTS: Writing & Speaking formats & test day schedule
Two Writing section formats
1. IELTS on computer: Use a keyboard and mouse for the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections.
2. IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper (in selected centres and locations, e.g., British Council Admiralty Hong Kong): Use a keyboard and mouse for the Listening and Reading sections, use a pen and paper for the Writing section (British Council, no date – c).
Two Speaking section formats
1. Live with the examiner: Not all test centres and locations offer this face-to-face in-person format; only some do, such as British Council Admiralty Hong Kong and the UK.
2. Video call at the test centre: Now the dominant format worldwide. In Macau, this face-to-face via video call at the test centre is the only format available (British Council, no date – b).
An additional Speaking format is conducted via live video call from home or a private space. This format is only available for IELTS Online, where candidates take the test remotely (British Council, no date – e). Note that IELTS Online is not accepted by immigration authorities (British Council, no date – e), such as UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), and by some universities, such as the University of Manchester (University of Manchester, no date). Always check with the organisation you are applying to before booking this less common IELTS Online test.
Test day schedule
The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed consecutively on the same day. The Speaking section is usually scheduled on the same day, either before or after the other three sections (British Council, no date – b; IDP IELTS, no date – a). However, in some test venues, candidates may sit the Speaking test up to 7 days before or after their test date (British Council, no date – a; IDP IELTS, no date – a).
Three major benefits of taking IELTS on computer
IELTS on computer (including IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper and IELTS for UKVI on computer) offers several advantages over IELTS on paper. With paper-based testing, candidates often face longer waits for results, have fewer available test dates and venues, and must retake the entire test if they are not satisfied with their band score. On the contrary, computer-based testing provides quicker results, more frequent test dates and test centres, and the opportunity to improve score through the IELTS One Skill Retake option at a lower fee (British Council, no date – c; IELTS, 2026). This makes computer delivery a more efficient and cost-effective choice.
1. Faster test results
Computer-based IELTS delivers results much faster than paper-based IELTS. Results for IELTS on computer, IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper, and IELTS for UKVI on computer are available within 1 to 5 days, often in as little as 1 to 2 days, giving candidates access to their scores much more quickly (British Council, no date – d).
Table 1. Faster IELTS test results
Sources: British Council (no date – c); British Council (no date – e); British Council (no date – h); British Council (no date – i); British Council (no date – j); IDP IELTS (no date – a); IDP IELTS (no date – b).
2. More test dates and test centres
With the computer-based option, you will have far more available dates and test centres, and some centres even offer daily tests, giving you greater flexibility and allowing late booking (British Council, no date – d).
3. Improve your score with IELTS One Skill Retake
IELTS One Skill Retake is available only to test takers who take IELTS on computer, IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper, or IELTS for UKVI on computer (British Council, no date – f; Nair, 2026), saving them time, money and energy by re-sitting a single skill. Please note that IELTS One Skill Retake is not available for IELTS Online and IELTS for UKVI Life Skills.
Instead of retaking the full IELTS exam, One Skill Retake allows you to retake any of the four IELTS skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking at a lower price if you do not achieve your desired band score. It is important to remember that you can only retake one skill once per original test and sit the One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test in the same delivery mode and in the same country where you first took the test (British Council, no date – f; IELTS, 2026).
Although many universities in the UK accept the IELTS One Skill Retake, some do not; for example, the University of Oxford does not accept One Skill Retake (University of Oxford, no date). Thus, it is recommended to check directly with your institution to confirm acceptance before booking. The next section provides examples of UK universities that accept the IELTS One Skill Retake.
UK universities accepting IELTS One Skill Retake
Examples include:
Brunel University
City University London
Durham University
Heriot-Watt University
Lancaster University
Loughborough University
Queen Mary University of London
Queen’s University Belfast
Royal Holloway, University of London
SOAS, University of London
University of Bath
University of Birmingham
University of Brighton
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of Cardiff
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
University of London, Birkbeck
University of Manchester
University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
University of Nottingham
University of Portsmouth
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
University of Strathclyde
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of Swansea
University of Arts London
University of York
Source: British Council (no date – g).
Fees for IELTS test & One Skill Retake 2026: Macau, Hong Kong, Birmingham
The fees for the IELTS test and the IELTS One Skill Retake vary by location and generally increase every 1 to 2 years. In Macau and Hong Kong, the fees were recently adjusted upward in June 2026. If taking the IELTS test is something you need to do, it is advisable to book it soon to secure your spot and avoid paying higher fees later. In Macau, eligible residents can claim a refund for their IELTS test fees through the Continuous Improvement and Development Programme of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ, no date).
Table 2. Fees for IELTS test & One Skill Retake 2026: Macau, Hong Kong, Birmingham
Sources: British Council (no date – b); British Council (no date – f); IH London (no date).
Book an IELTS exam online
✹ British Council: https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org
✹ IDP: https://bxsearch.ielts.idp.com/wizard
✹ IELTS: https://ielts.org/test-centres
If you need assistance with booking the IELTS test online, we will secure your test at no additional charge and ensure your registration is handled promptly within one working day. Learn more here: Free IELTS Test Registration.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the IELTS paper test marks a significant global shift towards faster, more flexible, affordable, and accessible computer-based testing. Whether choosing the IELTS on computer, IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper, or IELTS for UKVI on computer, the test remains the same as the traditional IELTS on paper. However, it is worth noting that IELTS Online (taken at home or in a private space) and One Skill Retake are not yet universally accepted; thus, test takers should always confirm requirements with their institution before booking.
Ultimately, candidates should base their choice of format on their own abilities and comfort levels. If typing and using a computer are unfamiliar skills, it is beneficial to practise beforehand. Improving your confidence with the format can directly help you achieve a higher band score. While IELTS continues to evolve, it retains its trusted status as the world’s most widely recognised English language test.
Reference list of IELTS on paper ends mid-2026: Shift to computer test & One Skill Retake
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