When you decide to give the IELTS examination, you have one more decision to make, whether to go for the IELTS Computer-Based test or a paper-based IELTS examination. Both have their pros and cons that you have to consider while choosing any of the ways. It is as crucial for you as practising sessions for International English Language Testing System are.
If you have chosen the wrong way of giving the International English Language Testing System examination, which is out of your comfort zone, you might feel troubled while giving the exam. This can hamper your performance resulting in less score.
To be on the safe side, you should analyse your strength and analyze both the ways to choose the best for you. In this article, what is computer-delivered IELTS? And all that you need to know about the IELTS computer-based test.
What is Computer Delivered IELTS?
If you opt for computer-delivered IELTS, you will complete the listening, reading, and writing parts on a computer at one of our official test centres. Taking the speaking test face to face with a certified International English Language Testing System examiner is the most effective approach to assessing your speaking skills.
Also Read:- Speaking Questions for IELTS: IELTS Exam Questions Explained in Detail with Examples
Advantages of CBT IELTS Examination?
When you are making your decision about which method of giving the British Council IELTS test or IDP IELTS test you should choose, you have to know about what benefits you can manoeuvre if you go for it. Here we will acquaint you with the merits of the CBT way of giving the IELTS examination.
1. More Dates to Choose From
You will get more dates of giving the examination in CBT than the Paper-based IELTS examination. If you have other commitments to fulfil while you are preparing for the IELTS examination, then CBT is the right choice for you, as you get more dates to choose from. We are sure that you are happy to read this because everybody loves alternatives to choose from.
Also Read: Describe Your Favourite Clothes Cue Card Topic: IELTS Exam Speaking Test
2. More Venues to Choose From
Maybe you have gone through a situation where you were disappointed because there was less availability in the examination centres for an exam. But in the International English Language Testing System examination, most centres are now equipped with Computer systems for the candidates to apply for the computer-based IELTS examination. In such a scenario, you have more alternatives to choose from if you go with CBT. You can choose the venue which is the nearest to your place for your convenience.
3. Don’t Worry about the Handwriting
If you have lousy handwriting, we are sure this is one of your concerns while preparing for the IELTS examination. When you choose a paper-based IELTS exam you will have to worry about your handwriting because you have to write your answers. But if you choose a computer-based exam, then you can get rid of this worry as you have to complete the reading, listening and speaking on the computer allotted to you in the exam centre. You don’t have to work on your handwriting, but you have to work on your typing speed on the keyboard. Because the faster and accurately you type, the more beneficial it is for you. If you choose the CBT way of giving the IELTS examination, then make sure that you also practice typing the answer on your laptop or computer so that you don’t face any difficulty while giving the examination.
Also Read: Previous Year IELTS Questions in Speaking Part 2: Cue Card Question with Answer
4. You Get Sooner Result
When you have given the IELTS exam, you will then wait for the result eagerly. Many of the candidates remain confident about their score and hope for a good band score because they know what they have done in the examination. In such a case, when you have to wait for 13-15 days, it becomes really irritating. But if you have chosen CBT, then the happy news for you is that you will get your result within 4-5 days after giving the examination.
IDP Computer-Based IELTS
IDP is the organisation that has the blessing of millions of IELTS candidates from whom giving IELTS CBT was a more convenient way than PBT because of many reasons. IDP is the organisation that conducted the IELTS CBT for the first time, and till now, it has continued to conduct the IELTS examination without any hassle. IDP makes sure that each centre is equipped with the resources that the candidate needs to complete the examination and make sure that the centre’s environment is safe and secure. When there is a safe environment, candidates are able to focus entirely on paper and not on any secondary stuff that is bothering them. IF any candidate has any sort of discomfort, he/she is free to reach out to the invigilators present at the centres for any kind of assistance.
Some Myths About CBT IELTS Examination
When there is a new way introduced, it comes with so many stereotypes as well as with type; there are so many myths related to it. In such a case, it is easy to mislead people in their right direction and get them to move into the wrong one. Similarly, there are some myths related to the CBT IELTS examination which are important to clear, because it may become a barrier between you and your sound decision-making skills. Let’s discover and correct some of these myths:-
Also Read: Describe a Crowded Place You have Visited: An Interesting Sample Cue Card Topic for IELTS Exam
1. Myth-1 – The Computer-based Test Differs from the Paper-based Test
What do you think about this myth, is it right or wrong?
We will tell you that it is wrong, the only difference between the CBT and PBT is the way they are conducted, that is in CBT, candidates give examinations on the computer and in PBT, candidates give examinations on paper. Apart from this difference, the format, evaluation criteria, marks and pattern of the examination remain the same for both ways. You should not let yourself mislead in any way through this point.
2. Myth-2 – You need a Computer of Your Own for CBT?
No, you don’t need a computer of your own because you will be going to the centre to give the examination on the date and timing you selected. You are not allowed to sit back at your home and give the test. You are required to choose the examination centre and visit it on the date and on time you selected to give the examination. For this, you don’t need to invest in buying a computer of your own. For practice sessions, you can borrow it from your relatives, friends and mentors for increasing your typing speed.
Also Read: Describe a Person Who has Apologized to You: An Important IELTS Cue Card Topic
3. Myth-3 – CBT is Easier than a Paper-based Test
No, it is completely wrong, as there is no difference in the format or pattern of the test, the difficulty level of both the examinations is the same. It depends on the candidate’s preparation whether he/she is fully prepared for the exam or not. There is no intention to make CBT or PBT one of either much difficulty, both lie on the same difficulty level. As the content for both the papers is the same, the difference may occur from the candidate’s side, whose confidence level may differ according to CBT or PBT due to various reasons.
Myth-4 – CBT Result comes Faster than PBT
Yes, as read in the above section, it is one of the advantages of CBT where candidates don’t need to wait for 13 days or so to get the result. But if he/she has given the CBT IELTS examination, then they can expect the result in just 3-5 days. This gives a lot of relief to the candidates who are eagerly waiting for the result, to plan for their dreams further.
Also read:- How Much Higher? How Much Faster? An IELTS Sample with Reading Answers
Conclusion
When you are planning to move abroad, there are so many difficult choices that you have to make from scratch. You have to make sound decisions based on your discussion with the professionals and resources available to you. It is important that you do thorough research about the question you’re finding the answer to. You will have to make various decisions like, which country to choose, which university to choose, which IELTS method should I go for, should you go for CBT or a paper-based test. These decisions will make a difference in fulfilling your dream.
For more information, you can go to the IELTS Ninja website, where you can get a plethora of information that can help you fulfil your dream.
English 
Hindi