IELTS: Paper or Computer?

In late 2018, IELTS introduced Computer-delivered IELTS for the first time in India, which is now available in more than 45 countries worldwide. At the time when this article is being written, Computer-delivered IELTS is now available in 12 Indian cities: Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Ahmedabad.

IELTS: Paper or Computer?

In late 2018, IELTS introduced Computer-delivered IELTS for the first time in India, which is now available in more than 45 countries worldwide. At the time when this article is being written, Computer-delivered IELTS is now available in 12 Indian cities: Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Ahmedabad.

 

In this new format, test takers complete the Listening, Reading and Writing sections on a computer, while the Speaking section remains the same (one-to-one interview with a trained IELTS examiner). Computer-delivered IELTS is here to offer a modern test experience and provides test takers with more opportunities to take the test and receive results in the least possible time.

 

Even though computer-delivered IELTS is expected to be well received by a generation of test takers that is used to working on computers, the paper test is still available for those who prefer a traditional paper-based test. This means that you now have two options when booking your test: Computer-delivered IELTS or Paper-based IELTS.

 

So if you’re wondering which IELTS is right for you, this article can help you explore both alternatives so that you can make an informed decision.

 

Read the questions below carefully and answer them with YES / NO: 

1. Are you very confident using technology, especially computers?

2. Do you prefer to type on a keyboard rather than to write things out with a pencil?

3. Do you prefer to read articles online?

4. Do you feel comfortable reading on a screen?

5. Have you ever taken a computer-based test before?

 

Once you have answered all of the questions, count how many times your answer was YES and check your results below:

If you answered YES to all 5 questions, it means that you are an ideal candidate for the computer-delivered IELTS. Your willingness to try new things and your ability to use computers make you suitable for the computer version of the test.

If you answered yes to at least 3 questions, it is possible that either computer-delivered IELTS or paper-based IELTS are right for you. However, think about how much (or how little) the questions that you answered no to would affect your performance if you chose to do computer-delivered IELTS. For example, if you answered no to question 2, could your typing speed affect your performance on the Writing test?

If you answered no to at least 3 questions, that means that you’re best suited for paper-based IELTS, and that’s fine too! Not everyone’s keen on technology.

Another perspective to this is that the education in our country is and has always been in a 'Paper-based' system. So why take a risk! Stay true to your academic practices so as to achieve the best comfort in the test.

Before you make a final decision, make sure that you try both formats and then decide which works the best for you.

 

Here are some links to sample questions of both test formats:

Paper-Based IELTS - Sample Questions

https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/sample-test-questions  

Computer-delivered IELTS - Sample Questions

https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/computer-delivered-ielts/sample-test-questions 

 

 

Hiren Panjwani

Faculty, Akshay Study Abroad Consultants