Computer Delivered IELTS

Computer Delivered IELTS:

The computer-delivered test will cover the Listening, Reading and Writing components. The test will be the same as the paper-based IELTS version in terms of content, scoring, level of difficulty and question types. The Speaking test will still be conducted by a certified IELTS examiner. It will remain face-to-face, as it is the most effective way of assessing speaking skills and encourages more realistic performance from test takers. The IELTS Reading and Listening sections are marked automatically by the computer, while the Writing and Speaking sections continue to be graded by trained Examiners. There is no difference in the difficulty of the tests because the assessment criteria are the same for both the computer-delivered and paper-based IELTS. There is no need to bring your own keyboard or laptop as all equipment will be provided by the test centre. No other equipment is permitted. IELTS on Computer test dates are available up to 7 days a week, 3 times a day –morning, afternoon and evening! Now you can opt for a date and time as per your own convenience. If you take the computer-delivered IELTS test, then you will receive your results in 48 hours after you complete the last section of your test. The Test fees will be the same as Pen & Paper based Test.

Pros & Cons of Computer IELTS

Pros -

• Easy to write/type your answers if you are good at typing.
• Screens provided are a good size which is useful for reading.
• A timer is given on the screen.
• Less crowded – fewer people take it at one time (at the moment).
• Quick results (only 2 days)
• More slot availability.
• You can still make notes and highlight on the screen.

• You need to be very good at typing. If you are not a good typist, you should consider the paper-based test instead.
• Screens will get locked exactly at the mentioned time (at the precise second) so you will not be able to make any last-minute changes.
• However, the timer will not display seconds in the last one minute. So, you don’t know when the screen will get locked precisely.

• Make sure you practise a CBT sample test before you try the real one so that you know how answers are put into the computer and the type of keyboard/mouse movements you need to be familiar with (drop, drag, click etc). Divine will help you to do so.
• DO NOT practice for the computer test using tests from other websites, particularly for listening and reading. You’ll find the answers don’t match the answer key properly and that other aspects are also not accurate. This is why so many people say – the computer marked my answer wrong and I don’t understand – this is because you are using materials provided by another website who are not careful with putting all possible answers into their system. ALWAYS use authentic materials given by us.
• The answer keys are the same for the paper test and computer test. Don’t think that the computer test is a different test. It isn’t. It’s the same test done on a computer with only very, very, slight variations, such as a checking time instead of transfer time for answer. Everything else is 100% the same.
• So, use the paper tests for practice from the IELTS Cambridge test books and pay attention to the answer keys to learn about the variety of answers possible.
• If your typing isn’t good, take the PBT (paper-based test). But remember, your handwriting does need to be readable so that the examiner doesn’t struggle.
• The computer will not check your spelling or grammar. This is understandable because spelling and grammar are part of the marking.

• Pro: You can highlight text.
• Con: Even though you are given a pen and paper, you need to type your answer directly into the computer. This means you need to be able to listen and type at the same time.
• Con: Some questions require you to type an answer others require you to drag words from one place to another and others require you to select boxes. You really need to get used to the different ways questions can be answered on the computer for IELTS listening.
• Con: Transfer time – you have only 2 mins to check answers, not 10 mins to transfer answers.
• Con: If you don’t know how to move from one section to the next, you might waste valuable time figuring it out.
• Pro: The tab key works to move from one part to another.
• Note: One candidate had an example conversation played at the start of the listening test, another did not. So be aware of this.
• Advice: Please get familiar with the Page look and feel on CBT exam for each question type. Take our help for that.

• Pro: The best thing with CBT is that you can have passage on left-hand side and questions on the right-hand side. It is really easy and convenient to read and answers the questions.
• Pro: You can increase the font size.
• Pro: You can highlight the text as needed. Right click and select highlight. In the PBT, you can’t use a highlighter pen and can only underline or circle using your pencil.
• You can also make notes, for example you might want to note down some synonyms relating to a word. To do this, right click and select “make notes”.
• Pro: Another advantage for the reading exam: you can copy/paste from the text using CTRL+C and CTRL+V which reduces the chances of typos.
• Con: You cannot use a search function to look for words. This is understandable to make the test fair and equal to the paper test. You are also being tested on your ability to scan for words and information.
• Advice: Get used to scrolling up and down long articles to get used to reading passages and navigating passages on a screen.

• Pro: You do not need to count your words. The computer will show the word count.
• Pro: It is easier to edit your writing. You can cut, copy and paste.
• Pro: You can move paragraphs and sentences around to reposition them.
• Con: The major disadvantage with CBT is we unintentionally make typo errors. Though we know how to spell a word we make mistakes when we type. Practise your proofreading on a word doc.
• Con: There will be a lot of people typing for one hour all at the same time. This means it can be very noisy which some people find distracting.
• Con: Your typing speed needs to be adequate.
• Note: You will be given a pen and paper. You can use it to plan your essay.