WritingGlossary
Writing on Paper
An option being introduced in selected markets that lets you handwrite the Writing section while the rest of the test is on computer. It is not available for the UK visa version of IELTS.
IELTS says research found scores comparable between the paper based test and Writing on Paper, both overall and within each band, and that the skills assessed and the way results should be read do not change.
One practical consequence: a One Skill Retake has to use the same delivery mode as the original test, so choosing Writing on Paper means any retake is Writing on Paper too. Results from the paper based test stay valid to the end of the recommended two year period.
Checked against ielts.org on 8 September 2026.