IELTS on paper

Paper Based

Book Your IELTS Test on Paper

Whether aiming for academic excellence or practical, everyday language skills, CERT has you covered! IELTS Academic supports candidates entering universities and higher education, recognized by academic and immigration bodies worldwide.

IELTS General Training focuses on real-world language skills and is trusted by employers, professional associations, immigration authorities, schools, and colleges. Open doors to global opportunities with the right IELTS test for your goals!

Key offerings by Cert for paper-based IELTS

Choose IELTS on paper at CERT

Experience the trusted, traditional format of the IELTS test with IELTS on paper at CERT. Ideal for those who prefer a pen-and-paper approach, IELTS on paper offers the same content, timing, question types, scoring, and results as the computer-based test—just with a unique, structured test-day experience at CERT.

CERT provides a supportive environment with expert staff to guide you, making IELTS on paper a comfortable and effective choice for your testing needs.

Important Registration Information for IELTS on paper

If you’re not officially a resident in UAE, you will not be able to sit an IELTS on paper test. However, you can still take the test on computer so please do choose that option.

IELTS Academic

Prepare for Your IELTS on paper: Do’s and Don’ts

At CERT, we’re committed to supporting your journey to success with these essential Do’s and Don’ts for each IELTS section. Our on-site exam center provides everything you need to focus and excel—read on for practical tips to ensure you make the most of your IELTS test day!

Do’s for Test Day

  • Bring your ID that was used at the time of registration.
  • Try to reach the center half an hour before the reporting time.
  • You are allowed to carry your stationery in clear pouches.
  • You are allowed to bring water in transparent bottles with labels removed.
  • Follow the instructions/prompts as indicated by the test day staff and/or the PC screen throughout the test.
  • Carefully write your details on the answer sheet in clear handwriting, and carefully enter your details for the computer-based exam.
  • If you believe that the details on your desk label are not correct, inform an invigilator immediately.

Don’ts for Test Day

  • Only registered candidates are allowed into the test venue. Relatives and friends are welcome to stay at the reception only – if they choose to wait until the test is over.
  • You are not allowed to take any personal belongings into the test room, including caps, mobile phones, watches, or any electronic equipment.
  • Don’t call out during the test. If you face any issues or need assistance, just raise your hand.
  • Don’t remove your headphone immediately if your listening audio does not match the questions/prompts on your screen. Just raise your hand and a staff member will assist you.
  • Don’t click any button or complete any information until you are instructed to do so.
  • Don’t tap unnecessarily on the keyboard throughout the test.
  • Don’t tear out or remove any pages from the test booklets.
  • Cheating of any kind is not allowed. Cheating includes talking, copying, continuing to write after you have been asked to stop, or using prepared notes. It also includes changing your identity with another candidate.
  • Never try to open a browser while doing your computer-based exam as it is not allowed and will be considered as malpractice.
  • Don’t exit the exam without completing the test, ask for assistance from the test day staff by raising your hand.
  • Do not take any test materials or equipment out of the test room.

Now that you’re familiar with the IELTS Do’s and Don’ts, it’s time to book your test and begin your preparation journey!

IELTS Academic

Skills Included in the Test

Take the test in the mode that suits you best and open doors to global opportunities in education and professional fields.

1

Listening

You will have about 30 minutes to complete the test and 10 minutes to transfer your answers.

2

Reading

Time allowed: 60 minutes (including transfer time)

3

Writing

Time allowed: 60 minutes

4

Speaking

Time allowed: 11–14 minutes

IELTS - Exam Types available at CERT Centers

IELTS on paper - General Exam

1175 AED

Plan to migrate or study below degree level? Choose the IELTS General Training test on paper to achieve your goals in an English-speaking country.

IELTS on paper - Academic Exam

1175 AED

Choose the IELTS Academic test on paper to achieve your undergraduate or postgraduate studies goals or secure professional registration with a traditional, trusted format.

IELTS Test Day Tips from CERT

  • Practice makes perfect. Unless you practice regularly, you won’t achieve the intended score.
  • You do not lose marks for wrong answers, so try to answer all questions.
  • Spelling is important. Clear hand-writing is important. Unclear answers may not receive a mark.
  • Toilet breaks are not allowed during the listening module of the exam. Once they start the reading or writing module of the exam, candidates will be allowed to take a toilet break as long as it is before the last 10 minutes of the module. No extra time is allowed for a toilet breaks – i.e. exam timer will continue running.
  • The test is divided into 4 parts. The questions get progressively more difficult as the test goes on.
  • Do not panic, stay calm with the pauses during the listening test (e.g. 2.5 minutes pause) to review your answers or moving to the next section.
  • You will have time to look at the questions before the recording begins, and you will have time to check your answers at the end.
  • You should get used to listening to accents from a range of English-speaking countries.
  • Stay focused during your IELTS Listening test.
  • You will have just 1 hour to complete 40 questions, so you must use your time wisely.
  • You must be aware of synonyms and paraphrasing to answer the questions correctly.
  • If you don’t understand a word in the test, you should look at the words and sentences around it for clues about its meaning.
  • Focus on the words that are related to the question, and don’t worry about the words you don’t understand.
  • You should try to do both Task 1 and Task 2. You should allow about 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2. You should spend more time on Task 2, because it is worth more marks.
  • You must use your own ideas. Pre-prepared answers will lose marks. You will also lose marks for scripts that are too short.
  • Make sure your ideas are directly related to the question. Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with, and that relate directly to the topic.
  • If you are asked to present both views and your opinion, state your opinion at the beginning of the essay and then move on to present both views.
  • Use a variety of complex sentence structures.
  • Use less common vocabulary and spell it correctly.
  • Organize your essay into paragraphs, with clear progression using linking phrases.
  • ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are NOT satisfactory answers in your IELTS Speaking test.
  • If you don’t understand a word, you can ask the examiner to explain what it means.
  • Correcting your mistakes as you make them can show the examiner that you really do know your grammar and vocabulary.
  • Don’t use big and unfamiliar words. You should use vocabulary as a tool to help you communicate clearly, NOT to show off.
  • Pause to think and avoid using fillers (like, you know, Umm, ok, etc.).
  • Extend your answers, use a range of grammatical structures, and avoid memorizing answers.
  • Don’t speak in a monotone. Clear pronunciation is essential.

Have Any Question?

Explore answers to common questions about our services to help clarify any doubts and guide you seamlessly through the process.

Faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

Some frequently asked questions about the service that you may have questions about.

For security reasons, you are not permitted to bring your own paper to either the IELTS on paper or IELTS on computer test. For IELTS on computer, we will provide a pencil and paper for any notes you may need, as well as additional paper for the Speaking test to help you organize your thoughts while speaking with the examiner.

Yes, absolutely! You are encouraged to make notes in your question booklet for IELTS on paper. Please note that IELTS examiners will not have access to your question booklet.

IELTS on Computer: The sections are completed in this order—Listening, Reading, and Writing (L-R-W)—on the same day. Speaking however, is usually scheduled on the same day, either before or after. IELTS on Computer might be scheduled a day before or a day after Listening, Reading and Writing. In all circumstances, the candidate is contacted via registered e-mail and SMS to mobile number regarding the date and time of their Listening, Reading, writing and speaking test.

IELTS on Paper: The sections are completed in this order—L-R-W. Sometimes, Speaking for IOP is scheduled up to 7 days before or a day after L-R-W. In all circumstances, the candidate is contacted via registered e-mail and SMS to mobile number regarding the date and time of their Listening, Reading, writing and speaking test.

No, the difficulty level is the same for both formats, as the test format, question types, content, and time allocation are identical. The only difference may be your personal comfort level. If you’re confident using a computer, you may prefer the computer-based test.