Computer Based IELTS Exam
Computer Delivered IELTS is the same as Pen and Paper based exam. The only difference being that this is conducted on a computer and you have to type out your answers.
Also, there is one more difference. In the pen and paper based IELTS exam, the student gets 10 minutes transfer time, to transfer all the answers from the question paper to the answer sheet but in computer delivered IELTS exam, answers have to be typed only once. At the end of the IELTS test, you get only 2 minutes to check your answers.
Make sure you practice CBT IELTS samples before going for the final IELTS Exam.
Typing answers is a good rescue for the candidates who do not have a good handwriting, but if you are not good with typing, then go ahead and give the pen and paper based IELTS Exam.
The IELTS exam can be taken via two modes:
Pen and paper based exam or Computer – delivered exam:
Why take CD IELTS?
Some students are good at typing rather than writing. They prefer to type out as they have poor handwriting and therefore go for CD IELTS.
PROS AND CONS OF CD IELTS
PROS-
- COMPUTER – DELIVERED IELTS RESULTS ARE FASTER (The result is out in 3-5 days)
- MORE SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMPUTER DELIVERED IELTS EXAM
- CD IELTS GOOD FOR THE ONES WHO DO NOT HAVE A GOOD HANDWRITING
- CBT IELTS Exam Centres are NOT MUCH CROWDED
- SCREENS AVAILABLE AT THE IELTS CENTRES ARE OF A GOOD SIZE
CONS-
- SCREENS GET LOCKED AT THE EXACT TIME (Make sure you finish each module in time)
- TYPING HAS TO BE FAST IN THE IELTS CBT EXAM (else go for pen and paper based exam)
- TIMER DOES NOT DISPLAY SECONDS IN THE LAST MINUTE, SO KEEP AND EYE BEFORE THE SCREEN GETS LOCKED IN THE IELTS CBT EXAM
LISTENING PROS AND CONS
The pros of CBT are that the text can be highlighted and the tab key works to move from one part to the other.
The cons of CBT are there but if you know them in advance, you will be at a win – win situation.
Even though you are given a pen and paper, but you need to directly type out the answers, which means you need to listen and type the answers simultaneously in the computer – delivered IELTS exam.
There is no transfer time in CD IELTS exam, only 2 minutes at the end to check the answers. Also, you should know how to move from one section to another, else you will waste time and get confused.
One should know how to answer different types of questions in the IELTS Listening exam, from typing out to selecting boxes or dragging the words from one place to another, else there would be confusion.
That is why practice from IDP site for the CBT sample paper to get a knack of how things would be in the final IELTS exam. Become aware of the pattern of the IELTS exam and how it would work there.
Reading Pros and Cons
The best part and major pro of CBT Reading about CBT Reading is that you can increase the font size as per your convenience, and the passage is on the left hand side of the screen, whereas the questions are on the right hand side.
Copy paste option is also available, which saves the chances of a student committing typo errors. The candidates can highlight. Right click and highlight the text to mark the key words or clue words.
The con of CBT Reading is that you cannot use the search function to look or search for the words.
Writing Pros and Cons
The most important pro of CBT Writing is that the computer automatically shows the word count. Also, it is easy to edit as the student can cut, copy and paste in the CD IELTS exam.
You will be give a pen and paper to plan your essay, letter or report prior to writing in the computer – delivered IELTS exam.
The major con of CBT Writing is that while writing the students make typo errors in a hurry. So make sure you look out for that.
Also, your typing speed needs to be adequate enough so that you complete the exam in time. One more thing to be kept in mind while giving the exam is that there will be other students also in the test centre, so do not get distracted while they are typing.
Speaking Exam is the same as it is conducted for pen and paper based IELTS exam. It is a formal face to face interview with the examiner.
