Computer-delivered IELTS

In many countries you can now choose to take your IELTS test either on paper or on computer.

Just like in the paper-based test, in the computer-delivered test the Listening, Reading and Writing sections are all completed on the same day. The Speaking test, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. All other aspects of the test are exactly the same, whether it is taken on paper or on computer, including the test content, the timings of the different sections, the question types and scoring.

So, the content of the computer-delivered test is exactly the same as paper-based IELTS, and the skills you need to complete the tasks are identical. However, typing your answers on computer rather than writing them on paper means that things like making corrections, taking notes, highlighting text and key words etc. are a little different. In this video you will see how the computer-delivered test works from start to finish, how the questions look on screen and what tools that are available to help you navigate the test. You can find full tutorial videos for each part of the test here, practice test questions here and sign up for a complete free familiarisation test here. In the next step you will have the opportunity to try practice Reading questions in both paper-based and computer-delivered formats.

Watch the video, then tell us what you think in the comments. Do you think you would prefer to take the paper-based or computer-delivered test? Why?