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Here are the pros and cons of the Computer Delivered IELTS Test versus the paper-based test according to my students and other IELTS experts.
Get the latest official updates here. (Britishcouncil.org)
*Update November 2022 – Academic Test-Takers can take the test online at home, but not for immigration purposes and only in certain countries.
Scroll to the bottom to find some practice sites that I would recommend plus my podcast version of this blog.
Main advantages of doing the CD Reading Test:
Main advantages of doing the IELTS CD Listening Test:
Many people prefer the CD Listening Test because you use headphones, so this is a MUCH clearer sound, and there is less danger of someone coughing or scraping their chair at a crucial moment! (You also tend to me in a smaller room with very few people, which is less stressful for some people).
Jess’s advice: You can double-click on a word, and a little box pops up. You can choose to highlight text OR to take notes. DO NOT TAKE NOTES! This will distract you too much, you’ll miss answers and waste time.
Make sure you try out the computer test before you do it. You do NOT have 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers. You write your answers as you do the test.
You can find IDP’s Practice for the Computer-Delivered test on their website here.
Get more practice on this Official Australian IELTS site.
One big drawback of doing the CD IELTS Writing test is that you cannot draw or make notes on the screen, which can be frustrating when you have a graph or chart that you want to annotate to see the key features.
It has been said that some examiners think the quality of answers written on a computer is worse.
This may be true because:
There’s a danger of getting a false sense of security – it looks good because it’s typed up, so it’s more difficult to see the mistakes.
The key is to be prepared and to practise typing on a computer with a time limit.
We’re all human, and we all look for shortcuts and ways of cutting corners so we can achieve our goals faster.
Yes, there are strategies that you should know and learn and use, but find a system that you trust, and only use that system. Choose your path, trust it, and practise those strategies over and over again, especially for Reading. It WILL get easier, though it takes HOURS of practice, using the strategies over and over again.
Ultimately, you’re learning a LANGUAGE. When your language improves, the answers will appear more clearly.
You will need to keep learning English after the IELTS test, so it’s best to start finding strategies that will help you learn English for the long-term.
First of all, be honest and self-aware. If you’ve been stuck at the same Band for a while, why do you think this is? What are the gaps in your knowledge?
Also, if you’re seriously fed up, take a break for a couple of weeks. Spend time enjoying English in a way that motivates you, and then get back to the preparation.
Most people avoid doing what they are not good at – if you’re stuck, you need to do more of the things that you’re not good at unfortunately!
Jessica and I see so much bad advice flying around about the IELTS Test.
Make sure you only follow the advice of people who know what they’re talking about.
Get familiar with the Computer Delivered IELTS test works by watching these really clear videos:
And these sites to practice:
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