Is IELTS in Thailand delivered on computer?
Both providers say it is. IDP Thailand's test dates page and British Council Thailand's dates, fees and locations page each state that from 22 March 2026 all IELTS tests are delivered on computer. That is a service-change date, not a test date. The British Council page adds that IELTS on computer has the same test format, questions and scoring as IELTS on paper, and both providers list test centres in Bangkok and several other cities for these computer sessions (see below).
In an update dated 5 March 2026, ielts.org said that from mid-2026 it would no longer offer IELTS as a paper-based test, with exact timelines varying by market. This page covers IELTS Academic and General Training; IELTS for UKVI is a separate product, so ask the provider about it.
One point is not fully settled. Some provider pages still carry older paper wording: British Council Thailand's Academic page still says Academic can be taken on paper or on computer, and IDP Thailand's overview still says the test is delivered on either. These conflict with the providers' statements about 22 March 2026, so this page does not tell you paper is available. Check the format shown when you register.
Computer vs paper IELTS: what changes by section
According to ielts.org, Listening, Reading and Writing questions are shown on screen and you enter your answers on the computer, while Speaking is a session with a trained examiner: ielts.org's Ways to take IELTS page calls it face-to-face, and its Guide for Test Takers says face-to-face or via video call. ielts.org lists the section times below for the computer test, and IDP Thailand says the time for each part is the same on computer and paper.
| Section | Time and parts | What changes on computer |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 minutes, 4 parts | Questions on screen; you enter your answers on the computer. |
| Reading | 60 minutes, 3 sections | Questions on screen. IDP Thailand lists highlighting and note-taking tools, and copy and paste. |
| Writing | 60 minutes, 2 tasks | You type your answers, and IDP Thailand lists an automatic word count. In the Writing on Paper option you handwrite them. |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes, 3 parts | Still an interview with an examiner, face-to-face or, at some centres, by video call (both providers mention video-call delivery). |
What stays the same
IDP Thailand says the format, question types and time for each part are identical on computer and paper, and that choosing one or the other does not affect your score. British Council Thailand says the format, questions and scoring are the same. ielts.org says the delivery update does not change the skills assessed or the way institutions should interpret results.
Writing on Paper
IDP Thailand also describes an IELTS (Writing on Paper) option: the Writing questions are on screen, you handwrite your answers, Listening and Reading are on computer, and Speaking is still an interview with an examiner. IDP's page says it is available only at the IDP IELTS Silom - IDP Education test centre in Bangkok, and not for UKVI. Ask the provider you plan to book with whether it offers this option.
IELTS Online
ielts.org says IELTS Online is offered in some countries, for Academic only. For Thailand this is not clearly confirmed: British Council Thailand's which-test pages mention it, while IDP Thailand's test dates page does not. Ask the provider whether it is currently bookable.
The Speaking test in Thailand
Speaking is not taken on a computer in the way the other sections are. It is an interview with an examiner in three parts: introductions and familiar topics, a long turn on a cue card (one minute to prepare, then about two minutes of speaking), and a discussion of more abstract questions. It is scored on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
Both providers say Speaking can be delivered by video call at some test centres. IDP Thailand's Speaking page says the format can be either a face-to-face interview in the same room or a video call with the examiner. British Council Thailand says some of its centres run Speaking by video call at a test centre, with the same content, scoring and timing, and that on a computer test you can choose your Speaking slot. Other provider pages describe Speaking only as face-to-face (IDP Thailand's IELTS on computer page and British Council Thailand's paper-or-computer page), so the pages are not fully consistent with each other. IDP Thailand's Speaking format page adds that you cannot choose the format, which depends on the test centre. Check the day, time and arrangement of your Speaking test when you book and in your confirmation email. To practise a long turn, try the Speaking Part 2 timer and these example cue cards.
How long do computer-delivered IELTS results take?
Usually within about 2 days, and the published ranges run up to 5 days. These are typical timings, not promises. The pages do not agree exactly: British Council Thailand says 1 to 2 days for IELTS on computer, IDP Thailand says 1 to 2 days on its test dates page and 1 to 5 days on its computer-based IELTS page, and ielts.org gives both figures on different pages. For IELTS Online, ielts.org quotes 6 to 8 days.
Test-day basics to check
Summarised from IDP Thailand's test dates page and British Council Thailand's test-day page; your confirmation email is what applies to you.
- ID. IDP says to bring the same passport or national identity card you used to book.
- Stationery. IDP says the centre provides pens and paper and that pens, pencils, erasers and correction fluid cannot be taken into the room. For the British Council, follow your confirmation email.
- Phones and watches. IDP says mobile phones, pagers and smartwatches must be switched off and left with your personal belongings, and that keeping a mobile phone or electronic device with you means disqualification. British Council Thailand says no watches are allowed in the test room.
- Water and arrival. British Council Thailand says water only, in a transparent bottle, and that if you arrive late you may not be allowed to take the test.
Test centres, fees and dates
Register with the providers, not with Band Booster. IDP's Thailand test dates page and British Council Thailand's dates, fees and locations page list centres in Bangkok and several other cities, including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen. The ielts.org test centre finder also covers Thailand. Fees and dates change, so this page quotes none.
Both providers say One Skill Retake is offered in Thailand for computer tests, at participating centres and within 60 days of the original test. See One Skill Retake or a full retake for how to choose.
Practising for the computer format
Start with the practice materials from the providers and ielts.org, which let you see the screens before test day.
- British Council Thailand's computer familiarisation test is a full sample version of Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hours 30 minutes of questions) for Academic and General Training. Its page says there is no need to book or register in advance, so follow the instructions shown there. It has a Finish section button that the real test does not.
- IDP Thailand's familiarisation tests cover Listening, Reading and Writing. They are untimed, and highlighting and note-taking work differently from the real test. IDP's page names Academic Reading and Academic Writing, so if you are sitting General Training, check what is available.
- ielts.org's Academic sample questions include computer-delivered Listening, Reading and Writing tasks, with answer keys for Listening and Reading and transcripts for Listening.
The British Council and IDP tests differ from the real test in the ways noted above, and ielts.org provides sample tasks, so use all three to get used to the screen, not as an exact copy of the exam. Unsure which test you need? See Academic versus General Training.
General study tips for the computer format (not from the providers or ielts.org)
These tips are based on how the format works. They do not promise any band.
- Type full answers to time. Writing is 60 minutes for two tasks (Task 1 at least 150 words, Task 2 at least 250, counting twice as much). Decide your order and time split beforehand, use the word count to check each minimum, and leave a few minutes to re-read.
- Try the on-screen tools. IDP Thailand lists highlighting and notes in Reading. Try them in a familiarisation test, remembering that IDP says they work differently from the real test.
- Type Listening answers while listening. The recording is played once.
- Keep Speaking practice live. Speaking is still a conversation with an examiner, so practise aloud with another person.
Where one-to-one lessons with Mike fit in
Band Booster IELTS is a private tutoring service, not the exam board or a test centre. It does not register candidates or set exam fees, and feedback in a lesson is practice, not an official score. Lessons on Google Meet do not simulate the test-centre software, so they do not replace the practice materials above.
Mike holds the Cambridge CELTA, is based in Hanoi and teaches every session himself, live on Google Meet in English, not in Thai. His own IELTS result is 7.5 overall, with 8.5 in Speaking (more about Mike).
In a Writing session you work on Task 1 or Task 2 and get feedback during the session, marked against the public band descriptors, and you can talk through how you split your 60 minutes. Speaking sessions follow the real three-part format, with feedback in the moment. Those pages use Vietnam as their example, so any price on them is Vietnam's; your price is on the booking page.
For how the service works in Thailand, see online IELTS tutoring for Thailand. Thailand and Hanoi are both on UTC+7 all year, according to the IANA time zone database, and the booking calendar shows times in your own timezone. The booking page shows your price in your own currency before you pay and lists the payment options. A paid 30-minute trial can be taken once, on a first booking. No band is promised. A Thai version of this page is also available.