The Ultimate Guide for Online and Offline IELTS Test
IELTS via computer started in 2017 in Australia and has since become available worldwide. This was in addition to a good IELTS paper test, which was the most recognized English language test in the world. This is basically the same test that is given on a computer. But how does that affect you?
Differences between IELTS on Paper and Computer
We will help you in finding the answer in this article by offering a detailed comparison of the paper test and IELTS with the given computer.
What Are The Structural Differences Between IELTS On Paper And Computer?
The format of the test is the same, i.e. you get the same time, order of sections, types of questions, difficulty, and marking.
Like paper, computer-based IELTS consists of four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, which take 30, 60, 60, and approximately 15 minutes, respectively. Listening and reading each has 40 questions and writing has two tasks. Speech is a face-to-face interview. Depending on your location, it can be done on the same day, before or after other sections, or it can be scheduled for the next day.
The only structural difference is the 10-minute transfer time at the end of the listening section of the paper to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. By the time you take the computer IELTS, you’ve already filled out the appropriate fields, so you don’t have to transfer anything. However, you will be given 2 minutes to review your answers.
How Does Computer-Assisted IELTS Affect You Compared To Paper?
It’s all about the pen and paper compared to the keyboard and screen experience. Writing with a pencil on paper is emotional, but the computer feels modern and full of features.
Each of them has a number of advantages and disadvantages depending on your circumstances:
Preparation
Since the test format is the same in both ways, your readiness to speak the language is the same. You need to cover a wide range of vocabulary and grammar and work to test your freedom of speech.
But when it comes to IELTS through a computer, you need to have computer literacy to browse the pages. You need to be comfortable with typing and navigating. The good news is that you can take the IELTS online exam to get acquainted with the structure of the real test on the screen and how the mouse and keyboard work in different sections.
Booking
IELTS-based paper exams are often available once a week, while computer-based tests are offered three times a day. This gives you more flexibility to choose the best time of day and the best day of the week. If you are in a hurry to take an exam for the purpose of a visa or admission to a university, you can immediately reschedule the test for the next two days.
Location
Paper-based IELTS is often organized in universities with large rooms and a large number of examiners. But computer testing is organized in custom rooms that accept a limited number of people, sometimes up to 24 people! A small crowd creates a less stressful space compared to a large space full of anxiety and haste!
Computers often have high-quality screens that have sound-absorbing headphones that make it easier for you to focus.
Test Experience
Here’s where you really feel the difference:
Writing on paper is natural, but it can reveal your line that if it’s not clean, it’s not in your best interest. Printing, on the other hand, creates well-organized text that is easy for the examiner to read. But if you are not accustomed to typing, you may be slow and do not finish all the questions. Of course, the test is designed for normal typing skills, but you should still be comfortable writing two full-fledged writing tasks.
If you are not used to it, it can be difficult to look at the screen for 3 hours. On the other hand, the paper is kind to your eyes, but you have to press your neck for 3 hours, which can be painful!
The screen has a timer that turns red in the last 10 and 5 minutes, which is useful for speeding up your reading and writing. However, on paper, time will be announced in the speakers that may be distracting for you.
There is also a navigation bar that tracks your progress and all the unanswered questions. By clicking on any number, it will be highlighted and you will be taken to the question for consideration. The arrow keys also move pages forward or backward so you can change your answers if necessary. The Tab key also takes you to the next section. But, when it comes to paper, you have to go through all the pages one by one, which takes time.
Taking notes makes it easier to listen and read passages on paper, but you can open a “notes window” on your computer to take notes. However, you will often receive a computer-based IELTS pen and paper. Only contact your test center if this is really important to you.
The reading flag is displayed on the left side of the screen and the questions are displayed on the right with separate lines of scrolling, which is more convenient than scrolling through a sheet of paper.
There is also the difficult part of writing on paper, which limits you to the order of the lines. After filling in all the rows, you cannot enter new rows at the last minute to complete the word count. If you do, it will damage your article, causing the signs to disappear. But the computer gives you the flexibility to add or remove lines to compile your article.
When it comes to typographical errors, it depends on your typing skills. If you are not comfortable with the keyboard, you may make a lot of spelling mistakes that take time to edit, or you may miss characters. But on paper, I hope you are not accustomed to spelling mistakes!
The screens lock at the end of the time, so you don’t have to change the last minute. But on paper, you still have times when answer sheets are collected one by one. Just be careful with this reform!
What IELTS is given from a computer is all the text editing features that a computer offers. For example, you can increase the font size or copy / paste words with a right click. Pressing CTRL + C and CTRL + V do the same. This is very useful for answering gap questions, so you don’t make spelling mistakes! You can even lug words from one side to another side! There is also an emphasis feature that changes the location of the hatch on the paper. With the right mouse click, you can highlight keywords to scan and delete text. Even the number of words of your writing task is easily displayed on the screen. These features can help you in time management.
The Existence of the Result
Your results will be available within 13 days when you submit the test on paper, but if you select a computer, you will receive your result after 2-5 days. This is especially important if you have little time to process a visa. Basically, you can order a test and get your result within a week!
Conclusion
Choosing IELTS on a paper-based and computer-based basis will affect you and your group’s scores, as depending on your trends, skills, and natural circumstances, you will have a variety of test experiences.
So choose a test that works best for you, and be prepared for it. And if you’re having trouble with independent practice, check out the most popular IELTS fun test in the world, which is exactly like a real computer-based IELTS test and comes with very detailed test reports.
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