Online test for IELTS soon

HYDERABAD: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will soon have an online test, apart form the pen and paper model across the country. The computer-based format test was available only in Delhi so far.
First secretary (education services) Kevin McLaven, who was in the city on Wednesday, said that the computer-based test will be launched in other parts of the country within two years.
However, the interactive session to assess spoken English will not be computerised. "Students will be more comfortable if they have an interviewer testing them than an automated voice which sounds like an answering machine,'' McLaven told TOI.
He said the number of IELTS candidates has doubled in the past two years with 2,30,000 students appearing for the test the last time.
The IELTS officials warn candidates against joining coaching centres that lack quality. "We guide students on what they need to look for in terms of preparation for IELTS. The students should preferably join institutes where the trainers are trained by IELTS officials. This will ensure credibility," said Nirupa Fernandez, Head, English and Exams, British Council.
British Council/IELTS combine also launched a partnership programme to train IELTS trainers in the city. "The programme is set to teach the trainer to give out accurate information on how to crack IELTS," McLaven said.