Whether you are planning to settle permanently somewhere abroad, or just want to temporarily go for higher studies, IELTS would be necessary for you to pass if the selected country’s national language is English.
IELTS is a series of English proficiency tests that are compulsory for each candidate who applies for a visa to any country where English is the major language, such as Canada, Australia, America, or UK.
IELTS has four parts that include the speaking test, listening test, reading test, and writing test. Each candidate is allowed to select a method of testing that he thinks would suit him the best. It could be either Computer-based or Paper-based.
However, there are a lot of common misconceptions regarding the differences between these two testing methods. Which is why we’re here to clear all your misunderstandings and help you decide what’s better for you by keeping the pros and cons of each in view.
So, let’s waste no more time and move on to discovering the true facts related to computer-based and paper-based IELTS.
Paper-based IELTS
The old method used by IELTS testing system, paper-based IELTS is chosen by candidates who are more comfortable writing their answers on a piece of paper, instead of having to type them on a computer keyboard.
The candidates are required to answer the questions on the answer sheet that is provided by the center, for the Reading, Writing, and Listening tests. The answers are to be written with the help of a ballpoint, or an HB-pencil. A perfect method of testing for those who are not that fast when it comes to typing.
The Speaking-test is given by each candidate by the one-to-one method with a professional IELTS examiner.
About the marking of paper-based IELTS, it’s done by markers who are not only certified by the British Council but are also monitored regularly in order to make sure that they are reliable.
Furthermore, all the answer sheets are analyzed again by the Cambridge Assessment English before the results are finalized.
Computer-based IELTS
First of all, to make it clear, the content for both the computer-based and paper-based IELTS is the same. Also, the method employed for the Speaking test is the same for all the candidates (one-to-one with a professional IELTS examiner).
Notably, the only difference is in the method of answering the Reading, Listening, and Writing tests. For computer-based IELTS, the candidates are required to answer all the questions, provided on the computer screen, by typing their answers. The answers could also be reviewed or edited by the candidate if required.
Adding to it, the question types are also the same for the computer-based test, as well as the test report. However, there might be a slight difference in the timing of the test, because in the case of computer-based test the candidate is not required to transfer the answers to an answer sheet.
The Bottom Line:
All things considered, it’s totally up to you to take either the paper-based IELTS or the computer-delivered one. If you want to keep with the traditional method of delivering test, there’s no better way than going for paper-based one.
On the flip side, in case you have handwriting like a chicken scratch, we would prefer to go for CD-IELTS.
In order to know more about your IELTS test, you can always watch video tutorials online.
Nevertheless, keep practicing your language skills and if you want to learn more doors of AEO are always opened for you. We will help you the best.
