Not just saving the planet; advantages of IELTS on computer

For its first 30 years, the IELTS English language test has been what we now refer to as 'IELTS on paper'. And with millions of people taking the test every year … that's a lot of paperwork. Imagine all those question booklets, answer sheets and other administrative papers. Now that's a lot of paper! All this paper has an obvious effect on our shared environment – think of the water usage; huge amounts of water are needed to produce paper. It also means a lot of deforestation, even though paper manufacturers might be replanting trees at the same rate as they are cutting them down. Now there is one more way that you can 'do your bit' to save the planet – by taking IELTS on computer!

The IELTS test has finally entered the modern era, and is available not only as a paper-based test, but also as a computer-delivered test. Since 2019 MTS has been a proud pioneer of IELTS on computer in the UK and Ireland, and test takers can now take the IELTS on computer test with MTS in 15 venues in the UK, and a further 2 venues in Ireland. This time last year, there were just 2 MTS venues offering IELTS on computer!

Aside from the 'saving the planet' argument achieved by avoiding the use of paper, what are the main advantages that IELTS on computer has over IELTS on paper? Read on, and I may be able to help you find out which test format is the one for you!

Advantages of IELTS on computer:

1. Saving the planet. See above!
2. More choice. MTS offers many more opportunities to take IELTS on computer, with more dates to choose from compared to IELTS on paper, and up to 3 sessions per day.
3. Faster results! This is a no-brainer. You receive the results for IELTS on computer in just 3-5 days, instead of the 13 days that IELTS on paper offers. This might be useful for you if you're up against a key deadline, or if you want to book several tests in a short space of time to give you the best chance of the IELTS band score you need.
4. Better concentration. With IELTS on computer, you're likely to be in a smaller room than you would if you took IELTS on paper. You are also given headphones to take the Listening section, thus avoiding the distractions that can occur when there are large numbers of test takers in one room. You can also keep the headphones on for the Reading and Writing sections that follow the Listening section, also helping to block out unwanted external noise.
5. Typing not writing. You can now avoid that 'wrist-ache' that so many people taking IELTS on paper complain about. IELTS on computer test (Listening, Reading and Writing sections) are done on a computer, with a keyboard and a mouse. So for the Writing section of the IELTS test, for example, you get to type all your answers on a keyboard. You can delete, re-write and perfect your answers on-screen. AND you can even use the Control+C (copy) and Control+V (paste) functions within each part or section of the test. AND there is an automated 'word count' function in the Writing test, saving you time in the exam.
6. No room for 'transfer error'. I use the term 'transfer error' in relation to IELTS on paper. When it comes to IELTS on paper, for the Listening section of the test, test takers transfer their answers from Question Booklets to Answer Sheets. This process comes with an added risk – the risk that you make a mistake in transferring the answers. This happens surprisingly often. IELTS on computer doesn't have a 'transfer your answers' requirement, thus avoiding transfer errors.
7. A digital on-screen clock, visible at all times. Who has taken the IELTS on paper test and suffered from 'clock anxiety'? You will know that you can't take a wristwatch or phone into the exam room. There will be a clock in the room, and the invigilators will give you time-checks. But what if the clock is far away from your desk? What if the clock is behind you? What if the invigilator has a quiet voice? With the computer-based test, there is a digital clock on-screen for you to clearly see how much time you have left for each element of the test. The clock also turns red when there are 10 minutes left. No more 'clock anxiety' for you!
8. Additional accessibility features. The IELTS on computer test has a suite of 'help' functions – this includes the ability to increase or decrease the font size of the text on-screen. This also includes the ability to change the background colour (the default is white, but this can be changed to other shades including yellow and blue if this makes readability easier for you).

So there you have some of the advantages of the IELTS on computer test. 'What about taking notes?' I hear some of you ask… We're often asked about making notes… Test takers have been worried that they won't be able to make notes, or highlight text with IELTS on computer…. but they are wrong! With IELTS on computer, there is a feature where you can highlight text. You can also add digital notes to selected text, both in the questions and the associated written passages, which you can then view later, or clear if you want to delete them.

To book an IELTS on computer test with MTS, at one of our covid-secure venues in the UK and Ireland, just visit our booking pages.

To give you a sense of what to expect with IELTS on computer, check out the British Council's IELTS on computer familiarisation test. It will give you a sense of how IELTS on computer works.

Do you still like paper? Don't worry, you can still take an IELTS on paper test with MTS in 17 cities in the UK and a further 3 in Ireland… And remember, the Speaking section is the same no matter which IELTS testing method you choose.

Good luck!