IELTS is the most taken exam by students who want to migrate to English-speaking nations to prove English language proficiency.
Now students can take the IELTS exams in two forms:
- Pen-paper-based
- Computer-based, also known as CD IELTS
Out of these two forms, you can choose any of the exams according to your convenience.
In the upcoming blog, you will get every information about the CD-IELTS.
So let’s start with the definition of CD-IELTS.
What is CD IELTS?
IELTS CD is the latest way to deliver the IELTS test.
The full form of CD-IELTS is a computer-delivered International English Language Testing System.
This IELTS test is similar to the pen-paper-based IELTS exam. The only difference is in the way of taking the test.
The pen-paper IELTS is taken on paper, whereas the CD-IELTS is taken on the computer.
The three modules listening, reading, and writing, took place on the same day on the computer. But the speaking test can be scheduled before or after the other three modules.
The speaking test is a face-to-face interview same as the pen-paper-based IELTS.
We hope now it is clear to you what the Computer-Delivered IELTS exam is. So let’s move to the exam centers for the CD-IELTS exam.
Parts Of CD IELTS
Just like the pen-paper-based IELTS, the CD-IELTS also has two types.
- IELTS Academics
- IELTS General Training (IELTS GT)
| IELTS Academics | Students who want to prove their English language proficiency to study abroad take the IELTS Academic test. |
| IELTS General | Those who want to prove their English language proficiency for work or PR purposes take the IELTS General exam. |
Modules In CD IELTS
The CD-IELTS has the same modules as the Pen-paper-based IELTS.
There are a total of four modules in the IELTS test.
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
NOTE: Only difference between the modules pen-paper-based IELTS and CD-IELTS is that the modules in CD-IELTS take place on computers, and in pen-paper-based, the modules are carried out on paper.
Fees For CD-IELTS
The fee structure for both pen-paper-based or CD (computer-delivered) IELTS is the same. Below is the fee structure for every type of IELTS exam.
| Type Of IELTS Exam | Fee |
| Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI (CD-IELTS UKVI) | 15,750 INR |
| Computer-delivered IELTS (CD IELTS) | 15,500 INR |
| IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | 14600 INR |
| IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration | 15,750 INR |
| Pen and paper-based IELTS | 15,500 INR |
Types Of Questions In CD-IELTS
The question types in CD-IELTS are same as the pen-paper-IELTS. Students will face the same format and questions in computer-delivered IELTS as they face in pen-paper-based IELTS.
Here are the questions that students will face during the exam.
Question type in CD-IELTS
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| Multiple choice Matching information Plan, map, diagram labeling Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion Sentence completion Short-answer questions | Multiple choice Identifying information Identifying writer’s views/claims Matching headings Matching features Matching sentence endings Sentence completion Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion Diagram label completion Short-answer questions | IELTS Academic Task 1 Bar Chart Table-Chart Multiple Graphs Map Pie Chart Process Diagram Line Graph Task 2 IELTS General Task 1 Formal letter Informal letter Semi-formal letter IELTS Academic & General Task 2 Agree or disagree Opinion Advantages and disadvantages Direct essay Cause/solution essay Positive/negative essay Discussion essay | Part 1 – Introductive question Part 2 – Cue card Part 3 – Follow-up |
Exam Centers For CD-IELTS In India
There are a total of 38 exam centers in India for the computer-delivered IELTS test. We have provided you with the list of the cities in the tabular form below.
| Ahmedabad | Amritsar | Anand – VV Nagar | Bathinda |
| Bengaluru – Kasturba Road | Bengaluru – St. Marks Road | Bengaluru – Whitefield | Bhopal – MP Nagar |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh – Sector 34 | Chennai | Chennai – Adyar |
| Dehradun – Ballupur Chowk | Goa – MG Road | Gurugram | Hyderabad – Begumpet |
| Hyderabad – Jubilee Hills | Hyderabad – Kukatpally | Jaipur | Jalandhar |
| Karnal – Shyam Nagar | Kochi | Kolkata – Park Street | Lucknow – Aliganj |
| Ludhiana | Mumbai | Mumbai – Lower Parel | New Delhi – Nehru Place |
| New Delhi – Pitampura | New Delhi – Rajouri Garden | Noida | Pune |
| Pune – Shivaji Nagar | Rajkot – Nana Mauva Circle | Surat | Thane |
| Vadodara | Vijayawada |
Availability For Test Dates For CD-IELTS
A student can take the CD-IELTS exam on any day of the month. Still, the students must book the exam at least a week in advance.
The exam is taken in three shifts every day of the month.
You can check the exam date on the IELTS IDP India’s official site (https://www.ieltsidpindia.com).
In three shifts, the pen-paper IELTS exam took place only 3 to 4 times a month.
How To Register For The IELTS CD Test
There are three simple steps to register for the IELTS CD exam.
Step – 1
Log in to the IELTS IDP India website.
Step – 2
Select the option “Register For IELTS.”
Step – 3
Select the CD IELTS test option, fill in your details, and pay the fee for the exam.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of The IELTS CD Exam
There are some advantages and disadvantages of taking the IELTS CD exam that we will discuss below.
Benefits Of Computer-Delivered IELTS
- It is easy to type or write your answer.
- The computer’s screen size is good, so the test taker can easily read the passages.
- Less crowd as very few people take the test at one time.
- Fast result – the result is declared within 3 to 5 days.
- Slot availability – The CD-IELTS takes place every day.
Drawbacks Of Computer-Delivered IELTS
- You need to be very good at typing.
- The screen will be locked at the exact time mentioned so that you won’t have extra seconds in the IELTS CD exam.
- There will be no timer for seconds for the last minute.
General Advice For The CD-IELTS
Practice the computer-based IELTS tests before attempting the actual test. You can find the practice tests for the IELTS CD exam on the official IELTS IDP test.
If you are not comfortable typing, go for IELTS pen-based based.
Similarities And Differences Between IELTS CD And IELTS Pen-Paper Based
There are some similarities and differences between IELTS CD and pen-paper-based IELTS, which we will discuss below.
Similarities
- Speaking test in both exams is taken in exact same way.
- Listening, reading, and writing tests are taken on the same day, and speaking can occur before or after these three modules.
- Type of questions
- Time allotted for each module
- The complexity level of tasks
- Scoring pattern
- Both have academic and general
- Validity and Acceptance
Differences
In the IELTS pen-paper, students write the answers, and in CD IELTS, students have to type the answer.
In IELTS CD, the result is declared within 3 to 5 days, and in the IELTS pen-paper, it took 13 days to declare the result.
The qualified examiner checks your sheet in the IELTS pen-paper, whereas the AI checks your answers in IELTS computer-delivered.
Is CD-IELTS accepted in Canada?
When students decide to take the CD-IELTS exam instead of pen-paper-based IELTS, this is the first question that comes to mind.
The answer to this question is YES, this exam is equally accepted and applicable in Canada, just like the pen-paper-based.
You can use this exam to prove your English language proficiency for study or immigration purposes.
The CD-IELTS is a good option for those students who do not have enough time to wait to register or take the pen-paper-based IELTS exam. Students must book the pen-paper-based IELTS exam at least 15 to 20 days in advance, whereas you only have to book the CD-IELTS 4 to 5 days in advance.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have explained every necessary detail about the CD IELTS. We have provided a proper list of test centers where you can take the CD or computer-based IELTS. There are 38 test centers for this type of IELTS test.
Overall, if your typing speed is good and you do not have time, you can take the CD-IELTS exam. As its result is fast compared to pen-paper-based, you do not have to book for this exam at least 15 to 20 days in advance.
We also discussed the similarities and differences between the IELTS CD and pen-paper-based tests.
We hope we have cleared all your queries related to CD IELTS, and for more interesting content like this, keep visiting our site.
FAQs
Is CD easy for IELTS?
THE IELTS CD test is simpler than the IELTS pen-paper test. This is false! Both the IELTS on-computer test and the IELTS pen-paper test have the same test format, question types, time given for each test section, and topic.
Which type of IELTS is best?
All the types of IELTS exams are equally accepted and applicable to all purposes. So you can choose the exam according to your convenience. For example, if your typing speed is good or fair, you can take the computer-based IELTS exam, and if your typing is not good, then you can choose the pen-paper-based IELTS.
Which IELTS is better, computer or paper?
Both exams have the same test syllabus, structure, pattern, and time for every section or question. The only difference between both tests is your test day experience because on CD IELTS, you have to type the answers, and on the Pen-paper IELTS, you have to write the answers. So no test is simple or hard, it only depends upon the test taker in which mode he or she feels comfortable.
