Introduction
Any candidate who plans to go overseas for further education must pass either the IELTS online or offline IELTS exam. This is because most foreign training institutions or colleges use this language exam for giving admission to applicants. But what is the difference between both language proficiency examinations? Which English proficiency exam is better than the other? So, to answer these questions today we are going to learn about types of English proficiency exams in-depth.
Here’s everything you need to know about both IELTS online and offline exams.
Application Fee
If you appear for the offline English proficiency exam then you will have to pay a fee of ₹13,250. However, if you appear for the online English proficiency exam then you will have to pay around ₹14,000 as an exam fee. Thus, in terms of money IELTS offline exam is a much cheaper option than the computer-based online exam. To learn how to prepare/register for the online language exam feel free to join our IELTS online training.
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Exam Environment
Irrespective of the type of exam for which you register yourself you have to travel to an examination center. However, you will find a big crowd at the examination center if you register for the offline exam. Why? Because almost 90% of students register themselves for the offline exam. But if you appear for the online English proficiency exam then you won’t see a big crowd at the examination center. Thus, if you wish to avoid the crowd then you must register yourself for the IELTS online exam.
Exam Timing
Whether you appear for the online or offline exam you get the same amount of time to complete the exam. However, if you don’t have a good typing speed then you might struggle to complete the exam within the given time limit. But if you have good typing speed then you won’t face such a problem. So, make sure you only register for the online exam if you have good typing speed. This will make sure that you can get good marks in the online English proficiency exam.
Accessibility
A large number of centers worldwide give students the facility to give the English proficiency exam online. However, in India, only a few examination centers give students the facility to appear for the exam online. Thus, we recommend you register for the offline exam rather than the online exam if you are an Indian student. But if you wish to appear for the online exam then make sure you check the IELTS website to find a center that offers this facility.
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Results
It may take up to 12 days to get the result if you appear for the offline English proficiency exam. This is because the examination centers send the answer sheets of the students to the Cambridge marking facility for assessment. Thus, it may take time to get the final score if you appear for the offline exam. However, if you appear for the online English proficiency exam then you will get your results within 3 to 5 days max. So, if you seek to get your test scores quickly then you must appear for the online English proficiency exam.
Convenience
Editing answers in the online exam is much easier in comparison to editing answers in the offline exam. Moreover, if you appear for the online exam then you will get a headphone facility during the listening exam. However, if you appear for the offline IELTS exam then you don’t get headphones to listen to the audio file. Thus, you may struggle to understand the audio file and answer the questions if you appear for the offline exam. So, if you wish to avoid such a problem then you must appear for the online English proficiency exam.
Conclusion
Now you are aware of all the pros and cons of both types of IELTS exams to study abroad. However, overall, the IELTS online training appears to be a better option than the offline exam. So, if possible, we recommend you register yourself for the online exam rather than the offline exam. You won’t regret your decision of appearing for the English proficiency exam online.