Paper-delivered vs Computer-delivered IELTS test in India

[shawn18]

People who got their computer based test results, were you able to get your TRF number online? Or did you have to wait for the hard copy to be delivered? How long does delivery usually take?

My test is on the 9th and I'm hoping to make the draw on the 17th.

In IDP I heard there's a way to get TRF number in online web results. Have to see it myself though. I gave test on 6th.. expecting results on 13th.

If you give test on 9th then your results would be released on 16th. You can still make it for 17th. But is it going to be a draw on 17th???

Good luck with your IELTS.

 

[Vive]

In IDP Bangalore, will speaking be on same day of LRW? I am fed up of this traffic going twice everytime!
And for LRW do we need to report 2 hrs early as for the paper delivered? i really lose focus by the time they make our seating arrangements. Horrible traffic, hunger , no washroom breaks! I score well when i take tests at home, relaxed - but these situations really make me go mad.. Any advice on how u guys handle this pls

 

[Vive]

People who got their computer based test results, were you able to get your TRF number online? Or did you have to wait for the hard copy to be delivered? How long does delivery usually take?

My test is on the 9th and I'm hoping to make the draw on the 17th.

Hello,

How was ur test today

 

[sgrv]

Hello,

How was ur test today

My reading section was difficult. Did you happen to get the paper with the "population in the UK" question?

How was your test?

 

[Vive]

My reading section was difficult. Did you happen to get the paper with the "population in the UK" question?

How was your test?

i didnt take the test today..i am still skeptical abt taking computer delivered.. can u share ur experience pls? u had speaking too today?

 

[sgrv]

i didnt take the test today..i am still skeptical abt taking computer delivered.. can u share ur experience pls? u had speaking too today?

I liked the experience. I reported there about half hour before the test. Everything was very quick and efficient.

I prefer the computer based version for all sections because I'm very comfortable typing. My eyes weren't strained as much as I thought because the monitors have these sheets on them that reduce the intensity of the light. They give you a pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener, water bottle, a locker to keep your things.

About twenty people in a batch. There were two versions of the paper split evenly between the people.

It's most beneficial for writing, of course. It makes it very easy to edit. And the word count is very helpful too. My handwriting is terrible, and I type much faster than I can write.

My speaking test was on Saturday. My wife who also took the LRW today had her speaking test yesterday.

 

[sgrv]

In IDP Bangalore, will speaking be on same day of LRW? I am fed up of this traffic going twice everytime!
And for LRW do we need to report 2 hrs early as for the paper delivered? i really lose focus by the time they make our seating arrangements. Horrible traffic, hunger , no washroom breaks! I score well when i take tests at home, relaxed - but these situations really make me go mad.. Any advice on how u guys handle this pls

I didn't see this post you made.

Speaking wasn't on the same day for me and other people I know.

Yeah, traffic is terrible. I had the afternoon test, so traffic was slightly better on my way there but horrible on the way back.

I reported at 1pm for my test that started at 1:30. They start letting people in at 12:45. You sign in a book, put your things in your locker, and then wait in a comfortable air conditioned room with a TV that keeps showing test instructions. And then you're called by name into the computer room, quickly put down your fingerprint, and head to your booth. It's all quite efficient and comfortable.

You do get washroom breaks, with the same restrictions as at British Council. Only one person can go to the restroom at a time, but it's very clean.

About hunger, there's an MTR on the parallel street that I ate at after the test. It was meh

 

[shawn18]

In my centre some people were having Speaking test on the same day. They gave LRW along with us and staff instructed around 5 members to wait in a different room so that they will be called for speaking in a while. So it is possible depending on availability of slots I think.

As for me, When I booked the test, it gave me popup instantly saying no speaking slots available for that day and choose at later time. After 5 days or so the selection got unlocked in idp candidate area and it showed only 5th oct i.e day before my LRW test. So I chose it. It gave me options for different timings within that day. I have chosen 10:40 am.

 

[Pankaj Pundir]

I took the test on 3rd Oct & here is summary of the same.

1 Speaking was schedule a couple of days before the LRW. The give you options to select your speaking slot.
2 On test day they gave 3 different sheets with login ID password for each module. These sheets can be used for rough work.
3 In listening 2 mins are given at the end of each section to check the answers, there 4-5 sections so the cumulative extra time comes to 8-10 mins.
4 At the end of the module the system auto saves & transmits the answers to the server & logs you out. Here is the catch, in case you are not sure about spelling of your answer(s) & the same is available in Reading module (happens very often), you cannot log in back to Listening module to alter your answers.
5. One can copy paste in Reading module which lasts 60 mins.
6. Word count & copy paste option in writing module is probably the biggest advantage of computer delivered IELTS.

I believe IDP is a little generous in scoring speaking & is equally strict when it comes to writing. I wrote essay first which was of 270+ words, then ended up with 210+ words letter. I ran out of time & could not check my writings. My scores are in my signature.

 

[PinkFloyd89]

I took the test on 3rd Oct & here is summary of the same.

1 Speaking was schedule a couple of days before the LRW. The give you options to select your speaking slot.
2 On test day they gave 3 different sheets with login ID password for each module. These sheets can be used for rough work.
3 In listening 2 mins are given at the end of each section to check the answers, there 4-5 sections so the cumulative extra time comes to 8-10 mins.
4 At the end of the module the system auto saves & transmits the answers to the server & logs you out. Here is the catch, in case you are not sure about spelling of your answer(s) & the same is available in Reading module (happens very often), you cannot log in back to Listening module to alter your answers.
5. One can copy paste in Reading module which lasts 60 mins.
6. Word count & copy paste option in writing module is probably the biggest advantage of computer delivered IELTS.

I believe IDP is a little generous in scoring speaking & is equally strict when it comes to writing. I wrote essay first which was of 270+ words, then ended up with 210+ words letter. I ran out of time & could not check my writings. My scores are in my signature.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
However, you point no-3 for listening module is quite incorrect.
Let me provide my two cents here.
1. There are a total of 4 sections in Listening and we DONOT get 2 minutes at the end of each section.
2. From the end of section 1 till the end of section 4, the time given to us is exactly the same in both the formats of IELTS (CBT or PBT).
3. However, at the end of section 4, we get 2 minutes to verify all our answers. I would suggest not to use a paper for writing down your answers hoping you can transfer them later and practice typing answers while the recording is going on. One of the candidates who sat adjacent to me, used a paper for noting down his answers initially and later couldn't transfer all the answers on the computer. Big mistake!
5. Computer based IELTS: In the beginning of listening module recording, we get roughly 1 minute to go through questions. You can use this time time to skim read the questions of any section. I use this time to go through the questions of section 3(usually MCQs) which I personally find the most challenging in IELTS listening.
Paper based IELTS: In the beginning of recording here, we get more time to go through questions as the recording first plays and comes to the point where it reaches a sample answer in section 1 and then the whole recording for section 1 restarts again. This process gives roughly some 30 seconds extra. Although in Computer based IELTS I gave, they didn't go through any sample answer and the recording was continuous.

Apart from the listening, there is a big advantage in Reading module as you can copy paste text (Ctrl+C on the keyboard) from the paragraphs in Sentence completion/Summary completion type questions. No need to worry to about spellings and saves some time too.

Writing is an amazing experience in computer based IELTS! For people who have a decent typing speed, its an added advantage.

 

[PinkFloyd89]

I didn't see this post you made.

Speaking wasn't on the same day for me and other people I know.

Yeah, traffic is terrible. I had the afternoon test, so traffic was slightly better on my way there but horrible on the way back.

I reported at 1pm for my test that started at 1:30. They start letting people in at 12:45. You sign in a book, put your things in your locker, and then wait in a comfortable air conditioned room with a TV that keeps showing test instructions. And then you're called by name into the computer room, quickly put down your fingerprint, and head to your booth. It's all quite efficient and comfortable.

You do get washroom breaks, with the same restrictions as at British Council. Only one person can go to the restroom at a time, but it's very clean.

About hunger, there's an MTR on the parallel street that I ate at after the test. It was meh

Hey !
I remember you had your computer based IELTS exam on 6th October like me (gave in New Delhi).
How did your exam go?

 

[sgrv]

Hey !
I remember you had your computer based IELTS exam on 6th October like me (gave in New Delhi).
How did your exam go?

Hi, I think it was fine, although I found the reading section to be more complicated than the usual. How was yours?

 

[PinkFloyd89]

Ap

Hi, I think it was fine, although I found the reading section to be more complicated than the usual. How was yours?

I found reading section in my paper easy though. Not sure if we had the same paper even in GT.
Listening was at the same difficulty level as it was in the previous paper based IELTS I gave.
Writing topics were easy too but you know how hard they mark us in Writing
Fingers crossed.
Although they say it takes 5-7 days for results to be out, it took some people even 4 days only.
What's your NOC code and current CRS may i know?

 

[sgrv]

Ap

I found reading section in my paper easy though. Not sure if we had the same paper even in GT.
Listening was at the same difficulty level as it was in the previous paper based IELTS I gave.
Writing topics were easy too but you know how hard they mark us in Writing
Fingers crossed.
Although they say it takes 5-7 days for results to be out, it took some people even 4 days only.
What's your NOC code and current CRS may i know?

Good luck! Did you happen to have the reading paper with the tour cost questions?

I hope we get them early too. My CRS will be 439/442 if I get CLB 9 and 445 if I get CLB 10. My wife took her second test yesterday, so if she happens to improve any of her previous scores we might get 2-4 points more. My NOC is 2161.

 

[PinkFloyd89]

Good luck! Did you happen to have the reading paper with the tour cost questions?

I hope we get them early too. My CRS will be 439/442 if I get CLB 9 and 445 if I get CLB 10. My wife took her second test yesterday, so if she happens to improve any of her previous scores we might get 2-4 points more. My NOC is 2161.

Best of luck to you too man!
Seeing the recent cut-off trends, 445 seems to be much safer than 439.

Tour cost questions in Reading? No
In the paragraph heading matching question, I was given some questions related to a female artist turned author in England, "Beaxton" i guess.