For thousands of students and professionals across Bangladesh, the familiar sound of turning exam pages is about to disappear.
From Sunday, 1 February 2026, the British Council will no longer offer IELTS in the paper-based format in Bangladesh. This marks a major shift in how one of the world’s most recognised English language tests is delivered in the country.
The change may feel sudden, but it reflects a wider global transition already underway.
The Digital Switch
For generations of students, the “pencil and eraser” method was a safety blanket. It was tactile, familiar, and forgiving.
However, the British Council is pulling the plug on analogue. From the first Sunday of February 2026, all IELTS testing centres under the British Council in Bangladesh will transition exclusively to Computer-Delivered IELTS.
This move aligns Bangladesh with a growing global trend toward digital-first assessments, prioritising speed and security over tradition.
Why the Change, What Stays the Same and What Changes?
Officials suggest the decision is driven by efficiency.
While the paper format required physical logistics, such as shipping question papers, manual grading, and longer wait times, the computer-based model is streamlined. Students can expect to receive their scores in 3-5 days, compared to the 13-day wait for paper exams. Computer tests can run multiple times a day, offering greater flexibility than the rigid paper-based schedule.
Despite the format change, the IELTS test itself remains unchanged.
- The content, scoring, difficulty level, and band system will stay exactly the same.
- Listening, Reading, and Writing will be completed on a computer.
- Speaking tests will still be conducted face-to-face with a trained examiner, as before.
In other words, the way you answer changes, but what you are tested on does not.
For future applicants planning to study, work, or migrate abroad, digital familiarity will now be essential.
Students are encouraged to:
- Practise typing for the Writing test
- Get comfortable reading on screen
- Familiarise themselves with the computer-based test interface well in advance
Looking Ahead: What Do We See?
Education experts say this move signals a broader digital transformation in international testing – one that prioritises speed, flexibility, and global consistency.
For Bangladesh’s growing population of international applicants, adapting early could make the difference between added stress and smooth success.
As one chapter closes on paper-based IELTS, a new, fully digital chapter is set to begin.