What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardized test of English Language Proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment, and was established in 1989.

It is the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with over 3 million tests taken in the last year. IELTS is accepted by most of academic institutions worldwide and by various professional organizations across the world.

IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test that uses a one-on-one speaking test to assess your English communication skills. This means that you are assessed by having a real-life conversation with a real person. This is the most effective and natural way of testing your English conversation skills. No minimum score is required to pass the test. An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all test takers with a score from "band 1" ("non-user") to "band 9" ("expert user") and each institution set a different threshold. There is also a "band 0" score for those who did not attempt the test. Institutions are advised not to consider a report older than two years to be valid unless the user proves that they have worked to maintain their level.

Important Information

Valid Passport is required to book the exam.
The results are valid for 2 years.
Students above 16 years of age can appear for the exam.
Results are declared for Paper-based after 13 days / Computer Delivered after 3 days from the main exam.
TRF is received online after 24 hrs of the result declared in the student login
The Exam fee is Rs. 14,700/- (as on April 2021) And subject to change

Exam Format

Difference between
IELTS Paper Based & Computer Delivered

Why take computer-delivered IELTS?

There is more than one reason why IELTS on the computer is best for you! The IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) has been a paper-based English test for almost 30 years, and it was time to add more options for your convenience. These tests should be opened on a desktop or laptop computer.

Advantages

More test Dates
Up to 7 days a week,3 times a day
Faster results
Get your results in 5-7 days

What's new with computer-delivered IELTS?

You can now highlight text and make notes
Save time by copying and pasting directly from your text and notes
You can easily browse forward and backward through your questions
To help keep track of the word count, use the automatic word counter for the Writing test

LISTENING

30 minutes + 10 minutes (transfer time)

CD plays- Headphones – monologue & group conversation - 40 Questions- 4 Sections
Types of Questions: MCQ, Fill ups, Short Answers etc.

READING

60 minutes

ACADEMIC : 3 Passages, 40 Questions, 3 Sections
GENERAL : 4-5 Passages, 40 Questions, 3 Sections

WRITING

60 minutes

Task: 1-20 minutes

AC- Report Writing (Flow chart, pie chart, bar graph, etc)- Min 150 words
GT- Letter Writing (formal, informal , semi formal)- Minimum 150 words

Task: 2-40 minutes

ESSAY-Minimum 250 Words

SPEAKING - 11-14 minutes

11-14 minutes

Introduction (3-5 minutes)
Cue Card (1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to speak on the topic)
Cross Questioning (3-5 Minutes)

A walk through of computer-delivered IELTS test centre - Chandigarh

Computer-delivered IELTS FAQ

General questions around the computer-delivered test

1. Which test is best for me?
This comes down to personal preference and choice. Some test takers will be used to paper-based tests as this might feel similar to other exam situations from school, whereas other people might feel more comfortable typing.With IELTS, you have a choice

2. Is it the same content as a paper-based test?
Yes. The test will be the same as paper-based IELTS in terms of content, scoring, level of difficulty and question types.

3. Is IELTS on a computer harder than IELTS paper-based?
No.The test will be the same as paper-based IELTS in terms of content, scoring, level of difficulty and question types. The Speaking test is not changing and will still be carried out face to face with a trained IELTS Examiner. It is still the same test, the only difference is the Listening, Reading and Writing tests are on computer.

4. Isn’t the test easier if I can type faster on a computer?
No, as the test will be the same as paper-based IELTS in terms of content, scoring, level of difficulty and question types. It comes down to personal choice. This is your IELTS test and you can choose the option that empowers you to perform your best on test day.

Questions around special requirements provision

5. I think I need special arrangements for me to take IELTS. Can I still sit the computer-delivered test?
Test takers with special requirements are encouraged to contact their test centre to assess their requirements to discuss if the computer-delivered test is suitable. We have a number of options available to support special requirements through our paper-based format, so speak to your test centre to find the option that best suits you.

6. Can I bring my own laptop/keyboard?
No. There is no need to bring your own keyboard or laptop as all equipment is provided by the test centre and no other equipment is permitted.

Questions around availability

7. Will there be more IELTS sessions available now with the introduction of computer-delivered tests?
Computer-delivered IELTS test centres are now offering up to 3 test sessions a day, 7 days a week.

8. Computer-delivered IELTS available on demand?
Computer-delivered IELTS is not available on demand at present. Registration for computer-delivered IELTS is the same as for paper-based IELTS.

9. Is computer-delivered IELTS more widely available than other computer tests?
Please Contact Nearest IELTS Booking Centre for the test date and location details.

Questions around test preparation for the computer-delivered test

10. How do I prepare for the computer-delivered test?
Please view the familiarisation materials, which provides a clear overview of the computer-delivered test and how it works. There is also practice material available for each test. As the questions and tasks on the computer-delivered test are the same as for the paper-based test, the material is suitable for all test takers.

11. What are the practice materials available?
Please view the familiarisation materials, which provides a clear overview of the computer-delivered test and how it works. There is also practice material available for each test. As the questions and tasks on the computer-delivered test are the same as for the paper-based test, the material is suitable for all test takers.

Questions around comparison with competitors

12. How does computer-delivered IELTS compare to other computer tests?
With IELTS, test takers can feel confident they are sitting the world’s most popular high-stakes English language test for study, work and migration.IELTS is trusted by 10,000 organisations worldwide for its fairness, reliability and high-quality standards. This remains true for both computer-delivered and paper-based tests.

13. Why isn’t IELTS fully computerised, like other computer tests?
With IELTS, you deal with real people. Face-to-face (Physical/ Online) testing helps test takers develop English skills in the context which they’ll be used. The IELTS Speaking test is delivered through a trained Examiner, enabling real-life, two-way interaction, as in the real world.

Questions around results and results turnaround

14. Does computer-delivered IELTS mean I’ll get my results faster?
If you take the computer-delivered IELTS test then you will receive your results five to seven days after you complete the last section of your test.

Questions around pricing

15. Which is more expensive?
IELTS strives to offer the same test experience to all of its test takers regardless of where you take the test. Please verify the price for your chosen test session before you complete your registration