IELTS on Computer: The Test Screen, Tools and Settings Explained

Since mid-2026 IELTS has been delivered on computer only (see the end of the paper test). The questions and marking are the same as on paper, but the screen has its own tools and habits. Knowing them before test day saves time and stress.

The screen at a glance

Every section shares the same frame:

• Timer at the top of the screen, counting down. It changes appearance as time runs low, so a glance tells you when to wrap up.
• Hide button to cover the screen briefly.
• Settings: change the colour scheme (for example black on white, white on black, or yellow on black) and the text size.
• Help: a reminder of how the tools work.
• Question navigator along the bottom: one button per question, grouped into part tabs. Answered questions are marked, so gaps are easy to spot.
• Review flag: mark a question to come back to. Flagged questions stand out in the navigator.
• Previous / Next arrows to step through questions.

When time is up, the section ends and your answers are submitted automatically. You don't need to press anything, and you can't add answers afterwards.

Listening

• Headphones and an on-screen volume control. Check the volume during the sound check, before the recording starts.
• You type answers into the boxes while the recording plays. Each recording is heard once.
• At the end you get 2 minutes to review your answers. There is no transfer time.
• Some question types use clicks or drag-and-drop instead of typing, for example matching and map or plan labelling.
• Use the reading time before each part to look ahead at the questions.

Reading

• Split screen: the passage on the left, the questions on the right. Each side scrolls on its own.
• Highlight: select text in the passage, then use the right-click menu to highlight it.
• Notes: attach a short note to selected text from the same menu.
• Clear / Clear all removes highlights and notes.
• Answers are typed, chosen from options, or dragged into place, depending on the question type.
• All 40 questions sit in one 60-minute section, so use the navigator to keep track of anything you skipped.

Writing

• The task prompt is on the left and your text box is on the right.
• A live word count shows how many words you have written. Remember the minimums: 150 for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2.
• You can do the tasks in any order and switch between them. Task 2 carries more weight, so many candidates start there.
• Work is saved automatically.
• There is no spellcheck or grammar checking.
• Typing tools are basic: cut, copy, paste and undo are usually available.

If your centre offers Writing on Paper, you handwrite the Writing section instead of typing it. The other sections stay on screen.

Speaking

Speaking is not on the computer. It remains a face-to-face interview with an examiner. See IELTS Speaking: complete guide.

How to prepare

1. Try the free official familiarisation test from your test provider so the real screen holds no surprises.
2. Practise typing your answers. If you type slowly, Writing is where it shows.
3. Practise Reading on a screen with the passage and questions side by side, without printing.
4. Get used to judging length from the word count, not from how full the page looks.
5. Practise without spellcheck: turn it off in your editor for Writing practice.

Related guides

• Answer rules: word limits, spelling and numbers
• What happens on test day
• IELTS Writing: complete guide

Sources

• IDP, How computer-delivered IELTS works
• IELTS, Updates to IELTS test delivery (5 March 2026)