IELTS Writing on Paper

IELTS Writing on Paper combines the convenience of the IELTS test on computer with the option to handwrite your Writing answers.

Your Writing tasks will be displayed on screen, and you’ll be provided with an IELTS Writing Answer Sheet and a pen to complete your answers.

If writing comes more naturally than typing for you, our Writing on Paper option can help you to give your best performance on test day.

Find out how IELTS Writing on Paper works, what to expect on test day, how to book, how your test is scored and answers to frequently asked questions.

Accepted by more than 13,500 organisations worldwide, IELTS remains one of the world's most trusted English language tests for study, work, and migration.

Now, IELTS Writing on Paper gives you more choice in how you take your test, without changing the test you know and trust.

You can take your Listening and Reading tests on computer and choose how you want to complete your Writing test, on computer or on paper. Your Speaking test remains as a conversation with an examiner.

• Same IELTS

• Same scoring criteria

• Same global acceptance

The task types, scoring, and time allocation of the Writing section are the same whether you type it on a computer or write on paper. The only difference is that you write your responses by hand.

IELTS Writing on Paper is available for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

What the full test looks like with IELTS Writing on Paper:

If you choose Writing on Paper, you won't need to learn a new test format. The tasks, timing, and scoring remain the same. The only difference is that you write your answers by hand for the Writing section.

On test day:

• When it’s time to complete the Writing section of your IELTS test, you’ll watch a short video with instructions on what to do.

• When you’ve finished watching the video, you’ll be asked to put up your hand to request the paper answer sheets.

• An invigilator will give you the paper answer sheets and a pen to handwrite your responses.

• The questions will be displayed on the computer screen throughout the Writing test.

• You can ask for extra paper if you need it.

• At the end of the test, an invigilator will collect your papers before you leave the test room.

Important things to note during your test:

• You'll be given a paper answer sheet and a pen by the examiner. There's no need to bring your own stationery.

• You'll be able to go back and forth between the Task 1 and Task 2 questions on screen.

• This means you can answer Task 1 or Task 2 first, but be sure to use the correct answer sheet that corresponds to the question.

• There’s no need to move to a different room or seat. You’ll complete the Writing component in the same place where you take your Listening and Reading tests.

• The examiner will collect your answer sheets at the end of the Writing test.

Want another opportunity to improve your score? With IELTS Writing on Paper, you have the option to take One Skill Retake, allowing you to retake one section of your test without taking the full test again. If you choose to retake Writing, you’ll complete it in the same format as your original test. So, if you completed Writing on paper in your full IELTS test, your Writing One Skill Retake will also be completed on paper.

Your IELTS results will typically be available within one day and delivered digitally (eTRF).

Choosing Writing on Paper won’t change your Test Report Form. It will look the same, with no reference to the format you chose.

Practise handwriting your responses with our practice tests

Here’s how you can use our IELTS practice tests to get ready:

• Access our IELTS Writing on Paper practice tests on the IELTS Prepare Hub.

• Set a timer (20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2) to simulate real test conditions.

• Handwrite your answers on paper.

• Take note of the word count needed for Task 1 and for Task 2. Through practicing your responses you will be able to have a better sense of how much you need to write to reach the word count.

• Review your writing and identify any areas for improvement. You can use the IELTS Writing band descriptors as a self-assessment checklist.

Watch our video series How your IELTS Writing test is marked for extra guidance.

IELTS Writing on Paper gives you more choice and flexibility without changing what matters.

If handwriting feels more natural to you, this option allows you to combine the familiarity of writing on paper with the convenience and benefits of IELTS on computer.

IELTS Writing on Paper is now available to book at IDP IELTS Auckland for tests from 7 October onwards.

Note: IELTS Writing on Paper is not available for test takers taking an IELTS for UKVI test.