Debating between taking the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test versus IELTS Paper-Based Test? Here are some helpful tips to aid you with your decision!
Benefits of the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test
The Listening portion is clearer with a headset
You can also adjust the volume according to your preference. It’s also a noise-cancelling device, so you definitely have more concentration with the lack of disturbance and distraction from other candidates and surrounding sounds in your environment.
2. The ability to edit your Writing
This is probably the best thing about the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test! You can make changes at whichever point of your essay, something that is very inconvenient to do in the IELTS Paper-Based Test.
3. The ability to easily scroll through the passage for Reading
Reading IELTS Computer-Delivered Test simulation[/caption]
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. No need for uncomfortable page turning.
4.Less people
Reading IELTS Computer-Delivered Test simulation[/caption]
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. No need for uncomfortable page turning.
5.Essay word counter
Amazing addition to the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test. You don’t have to estimate or count the number of words in your essay. There is an accurate word counter to do just that! Saves your time to actually do more writing.
6.Levelled playing field for handwriting
This is a boon for all those with unintelligible handwriting! Since you’re typing out your whole essay, examiners will be less biased, because all the content that they assess look the same.
7.Faster 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!
8.Nicer test rooms
There is a clear win here for the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test because the test centers are designed specifically for the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test. From the test equipment to the test cubicles. It is definitely much better, both functional and aesthetic-wise compared to that of the paper-based tests held in universities and hotels.
Disadvantages of the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test
Screen glare
For us, this was the most detrimental part of the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test. The screen brightness can be quite taxing on the eyes which in turn will weaken focus and concentration. 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.
2. Not enough practice questions
Because this test mode is slightly new, and it takes a lot of time, effort and resources to create new questions for IELTS, there are not many places you can actually experience a test simulation or practice on sample questions for the IELTS Computer-Delivered Test. Nevertheless, we found this link helpful in getting some practice done before the test.
3. Less time for Listening
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.
4.Writing will stop abruptly
We made a major mistake because of this. We didn’t pay attention to the timing, so when we made a last minute change, adding a sentence on to our existing essay, the time ended and the test window closed. So that ‘incomplete sentence’ may have affected the final score. So just a heads up to not make any more changes in the final minute, just to avoid the abrupt cut off from affecting your Writing marks.
5.Not able to scribble onto the page
This might be quite inconvenient for the Listening portion for those who must scribble down their answers on the question paper as the speaker talks. But to soften this blow, at the British Council Kuala Lumpur, you are given a blank paper to scribble on, so that might be slightly helpful for some.
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