If you’re looking to try out the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test, here are some things to take note of before you go!
You’ll need to schedule for the test online.
You can do so here: https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org/tests-and-results. Some test centres offer both paper-based and computer-delivered tests (CDT). So pick your dates accordingly. You need to schedule your dates properly.
You’ll have to make two bookings. One for the Listening, Reading and Writing Section, and another for the Speaking.
The great thing about IELTS CDT is that you can do BOTH sessions on the same day, so you don’t have to return a separate time to take the Speaking section.
Also, you can book up to 5 days in advance which offers better flexibility compared to the paper-based test. You’ll receive an email confirmation once you’re done.
2. Get familiarized with the format of the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test
We found this link helpful in getting some practice done before the test.
There are actually very little IELTS Computer-Delivered Test simulations to practice on, so that’s one disadvantage for the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test.
Arrive early on Test Day
You’ll be informed to arrive at least an hour before your test start time. So go early to avoid unnecessary stress.
If you’re going to British Council Kuala Lumpur, there is an open-aired car park right next to the building that you can conveniently park at to avoid exorbitant parking charges. And simply take a 3-minute walk to British Council Kuala Lumpur.
Also, remember to bring a photocopy of your ID along with your actual ID.
Take the Listening, Reading and Writing Test
Before you go in for this section of the test, you’ll be required to leave all your belongings in a locker. You’re only allowed to bring two items into the test room; your ID and a clear bottle of water. Before entering, you’ll be pat down and scanned to ensure you don’t carry any forbidden items in. Then you’ll be led to your designated computer. There are foam boards separating each test cubicle. You’ll be given a noise cancelling headset, a pencil and a paper to scribble on.
For the listening test, you’ll be instructed to test your headset and adjust the volume before you begin.
The test will take approximately half an hour. Once you start the Listening test, the recording will not stop, so you must be extremely vigilant and attentive. Also, you will not be given an extra 10 minutes to check/transfer your answers at the end of the recording, so make sure to check your answers as you go. Also identify the sequence of the questions. They don’t just go from up to down, but also left to right, so take note of the sequence accordingly so that you don’t get lost.
For the reading test, you’ll have an hour. And a paper to scribble on too. The good thing about the Reading section is that the passage is on the left side on the screen and the questions are on the right, so scrolling through the passage while reading the questions is quite convenient.
For the writing section, you also have an hour for Task 1 and Task 2. You can conveniently switch between the two. We would advise to start with and focus more on Task 2 since it carries the bulk of the marks.
The timer for the whole test is at the center top of your screen. It’s vital that you pay attention to it especially for the writing test.
If the screen is giving you too much glare, inform the facilitators to dim it down BEFORE you begin your Listening test. Else it’ll be difficult to do so during.
Take the Speaking Test
You’ll be ushered into a room with an examiner and she’ll ask you a series of questions. You’ll start out with more personal questions about yourself and then moving towards discussion about a particular topic.
Note that you’ll be asked to give a two-minute speech about a particular topic which can be quite challenging, so it would be helpful to prepare a game plan for that.
Drink some water before-hand to avoid a dry throat.
Wait for your Results
The IELTS Computer-Delivered Test will email you a notification of your result availability after 7 days. Which is half the time of the paper-based test, so that’s a definite plus point!
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