Can I still take IELTS as a paper-based test?
IELTS is being phased out as a paper-based exam starting mid-2026, though the exact timeline differs by test location, as the exam moves toward computer delivered testing. The Listening section itself is not changing in length, and still runs for about thirty minutes across four recordings with forty questions total.
IELTS is moving away from the paper-based format, with the phase out beginning around mid-2026 and the exact date depending on where you take the test. Going forward, most test centres will shift you toward the computer-delivered version instead.
Paper-Based vs Computer-Delivered IELTS
| Format | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Paper-based test | Being phased out from mid-2026, timing varies by market |
| Computer-delivered test | Becoming the standard format going forward |
What Stays the Same in Listening
Regardless of format, the Listening test content is unchanged, with about thirty minutes of audio spread across four recordings and forty questions in total. What differs is how you record your answers, since the computer format has you type responses directly rather than transferring them onto a separate answer sheet.
My Advice
Check with your local test centre on which format is currently offered near you, since the switch to computer delivery is rolling out at different speeds across markets. Practising on the actual format you will sit for matters more than the format itself.
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