IELTS on Paper ends mid-2026: Shift to computer test & One Skill Retake
Table of contents
▪ IELTS on Paper discontinued from mid-2026
▪ Computer-based IELTS: Writing & Speaking formats & test day schedule
▪ Three major benefits of IELTS on Computer
▪ Examples of UK universities accepting IELTS One Skill Retake
▪ IELTS & One Skill Retake fees in 2026 in Macau, Hong Kong, Birmingham
Introduction
This blog post provides the latest updates on IELTS test delivery formats, including the Writing and Speaking sections, the benefits of IELTS on Computer, such as One Skill Retake, and current test fees. This information is aimed at equipping upcoming test takers with the recent changes, clarifying any confusion they may have, and guiding them in choosing the right IELTS test that suits their individual preferences.
IELTS on Paper discontinued from mid-2026
IELTS on Paper will no longer be available starting from mid-2026; all IELTS tests will transition to computer-based formats (IELTS, 2026). This will include tests taken at official test centres, namely IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper. Exact timelines vary by the market (British Council, no date – a).
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 locations (IELTS, 2026), such as Hong Kong. This allows test takers to complete the Writing component by hand, while the Listening and Reading components remain computer-based, 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.
Importantly, these test delivery changes (i.e., IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper) do not affect the test itself. The test format, question types, scoring and assessment, and global recognition remain identical to 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., 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. Face-to-face in person/live with the examiner: Not all test centres and locations offer this format; only some do (e.g., Admiralty Hong Kong and the UK).
2. Face-to-face via video call: Now the dominant format globally. In Macau, this is the only format available (British Council, no date – b). This is also the only format for IELTS Online as candidates take the test at home or in a private space (British Council, no date – e).
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 centres, 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) 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 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
Table 1. Faster IELTS test results
Note: IELTS Online is not accepted by immigration authorities (British Council, no date – e), such as UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), and some universities, such as the University of Manchester (University of Manchester, no date). Please check with the organisation you are applying to before booking the IELTS Online.
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, as opposed to IELTS on Paper (British Council, no date – c; British Council, no date – d).
3. An opportunity to improve your score with One Skill Retake (OSR)
One Skill Retake (OSR) is available only to test takers who take IELTS on Computer, IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper, or IELTS for UKVI (British Council, no date – f; Nair, 2026), saving them time, money and energy by re-sitting a single skill. Please note that One Skill Retake is not available for IELTS Online.
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 overall band score or individual 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 the same country where you first took the test (British Council, no date – f; British Council, no date – d; IELTS, 2026).
Although many institutions in the UK accept the IELTS One Skill Retake, not all do so, including the University of Oxford (University of Oxford, no date). Thus, it is recommended to check with your institutions directly to confirm acceptance before you book. The next section provides examples of UK universities that accept the IELTS One Skill Retake.
Examples of UK universities accepting IELTS One Skill Retake
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).
IELTS & One Skill Retake fees in 2026 in Macau, Hong Kong, Birmingham
The fees for IELTS and One Skill Retake vary by location and typically increase every one to two years. The test fees for both Macau and Hong Kong were slightly increased 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, residents aged 15+ can claim their IELTS test fees directly through the Continuous Improvement and Development Programme of DSEDJ (DSEDJ, 2026).
Table 2. IELTS and One Skill Retake fees in 2026 in Macau, Hong Kong, Birmingham
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 help with booking your IELTS test, we can 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 represents a global, significant shift towards faster, more flexible, affordable, and accessible computer-based testing. Whether choosing the IELTS on Computer or IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper, the test remains the same as 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, IELTS continues to evolve while maintaining 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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