Computer-delivered IELTS · Writing
IELTS Computer-Based Writing Test
Short answer: the tasks, the marking and the 60 minutes are the same as on paper. What changes is the screen: a live word count, a split view with the task beside your answer, and no spell-check. Practise typed and timed, because handwritten practice does not rehearse any of that.
What the Writing screen looks like
Five things are different from the paper test, and each one changes how you should practise.
Split screen
The task sits on the left and your answer box on the right. For Academic Task 1 the chart or diagram stays in view while you write, so you never flip pages to check a figure.
Live word count
Each answer box counts your words as you type. Under-length answers lose marks for Task Achievement or Task Response, and the counter removes the guesswork.
Cut, copy and paste
You can move text within your own answer, which makes reordering a paragraph cheap. You cannot paste from outside the test.
No spell-check
Nothing underlines your errors. Spelling counts towards Lexical Resource, so a typo you would have caught on paper now goes straight to the examiner.
One clock for both tasks
A single 60-minute timer covers both answers. The software does not stop you after 20 minutes on Task 1; managing that split is up to you.
Splitting the 60 minutes
| Task | Minimum words | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | 150 | 20 minutes |
| Task 2 | 250 | 40 minutes |
Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, so if time runs short it is Task 1 that should feel the squeeze, never Task 2. Plan on the paper you are given, not in the answer box: notes left in the box are counted and marked as part of your answer.
How to practise for the computer test
- Check your typing speed once. If the typing test puts you under 30 WPM, ten minutes of typing practice a day is the cheapest band you will ever gain.
- Write every practice answer typed, with autocorrect off. Your spelling on test day will match your spelling without help, not with it.
- Sit full papers on one clock. The Writing mock test runs both tasks typed against a single timer and marks each on the four official criteria.
- Fix the weakest criterion, not the essay. The Writing Checker marks Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range separately, and quotes the sentence behind each correction.
Common questions
Is IELTS Writing computer-based now?
In most markets, yes. Paper-based IELTS ended in most markets on 27 June 2026, so Writing is typed on screen unless your centre offers a Writing on Paper option. Check with your test centre when you book.
Is there a spell-checker in computer-based IELTS Writing?
No. There is no spell-check, grammar check or autocorrect, so every spelling mistake you type counts exactly as it would on paper. Turn autocorrect off when you practise, or your practice spelling will be better than your test-day spelling.
Can I see my word count on computer-based IELTS?
Yes. The screen shows a live word count for each task, so you no longer need to count by hand. Use it to check you have passed 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2, not to pad an answer.
Can I do Task 2 before Task 1 on computer?
Yes. Both tasks sit inside one 60-minute paper and you can move between them. Many candidates start with Task 2 because it carries more weight; just make sure Task 1 still gets its 20 minutes.
How fast do I need to type for IELTS Writing?
Around 30–40 words per minute, mostly accurate, is enough. At 30 WPM the 400-word minimum takes about 13 minutes of pure typing, which leaves the rest of the hour for planning and checking. Test your own speed with our free IELTS typing test.
Comparing formats? Read computer-based vs paper-based IELTS and our computer-delivered test tips.