Tips for taking the CD IELTS test

At Global Village, we are delighted to welcome test candidates back to our IELTS test centre (the only one on Vancouver Island). We have been working hard to welcome as many test candidates back as soon as possible, and we hope you will find this update helpful. We’ve been paying close attention to government recommendations and are pleased to reopen within those guidelines.

What has changed?

The biggest change is that the paper test is not currently available. If you want or need to take your IELTS test as soon as possible, your only option is to take a computer-delivered test.

Paper tests will be available again in the future, but at this time it is difficult to predict when. Check ieltsvictoria.com for updates.

Tell me more about the computer-delivered (CD) IELTS test.

The computer delivered tests are the same as they’ve always been, so if you’ve seen one before you will be familiar.

The questions are the same as paper-based tests, so the CD test is neither easier nor more difficult, but there are a few important things to remember. Here are the most important (in our opinion):

• You have to type your writing answers on a keyboard, so you should become familiar with typing before taking the CD IELTS test.
• Of course, spellcheck and other functions are disabled for the entire test.
• You don’t always have to type all your answers for the reading and listening tests; some questions are multiple choice, others are drag and drop. Any of the usual IELTS question types are possible.
• If your eyesight isn’t strong, you can adjust the font size of the questions to make them larger or smaller
• It might seem strange to take a test on a computer, but the instructions presented on the screen are always clear. This means that as long as you read the instructions carefully you’ll know what do to.
• There is an invigilator in the room for the entire test to support you with any procedural issues.
• You will be provided with paper containing log-in details for the reading, writing, and listening tests. On the back of this paper you can make rough notes or plan your answers which you will submit on the computer.

Click here for sample CD-IELTS practice tests.

What do I need to bring to the test centre for my CD IELTS test?

There are only 3 things that you need to bring: your passport, a mask and a wooden (not mechanical) pencil.

Your passport is essential for identification purposes and will be checked several times while you’re at the test centre.

You must bring your own protective mask for the safety of other test candidates, our staff and yourself – homemade masks are allowed.  You will not be able to enter the test centre without a mask.

You should also bring a wooden pencil. Mechanical pencils are not allowed under IELTS regulations. If you forget a pencil, Global Village can give you one, and it will be yours to keep!

You may also bring a bottle of water, but the container needs to be free of any English words.   Please cut off any labels before arriving.

What is the arrival procedure?

After registering for a test, you will be emailed a time to arrive. When you arrive, the door to the test centre will probably be locked, but don’t panic about this. We will come and let you in because we know you are arriving at that time. Try to arrive on time, not too early or too late. We want to prevent lineups and crowding outside on the street. If there are others waiting on the street, please maintain a distance of 2 meters.

After someone comes to let you in, we will ask you some questions to check that you’re healthy, ask you to put your mask on, and check your passport.

After that, you’ll take your belongings to our secure room. You must leave ALL belongings there except your passport, mask, pencil and water bottle – if you bring one.

Next, we will take your picture and conduct another passport check. We will conduct the passport check through protective glass. Your photo will be taken for identification purposes, and at this time you will have to remove your mask and tuck your hair back behind your ears if you have long hair.

After these steps, you’ll wait for your speaking test. Once your speaking test is finished, you’ll wait for the invigilator to show you to your seat in the CD IELTS test room. Between your speaking test and the computer test, you may have time to leave the test centre depending on your schedule.

For some candidates, the computer test will happen before the speaking test.   If there is a long break between finishing the computer test and your speaking test, you may leave the test centre to grab a snack or stretch your legs.   You’ll need to go through the identity check again when you re-enter the test centre.

What is Global Village doing to ensure the safety of candidates?

In addition to many other things, here are some of the enhanced safety protocols being used by GV so we can safely provide you with important testing services during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

• Computers, desks, chairs, surfaces, and touchpoints are thoroughly sanitized after each test.
• If anyone is showing symptoms, they will not be allowed in the test centre.
• Nobody is allowed inside the test centre without a protective mask. Staff regularly sanitize hands.
• Passport check conducted through protective glass.
• Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes can be provided by the invigilator.
• Social distance is maintained between candidates at all times by appropriate spacing of tables and chairs.
• Arrival times are staggered to avoid lineups and congestion.
• Candidates’ belongings will be placed in a single-use plastic bag, which will be thrown out after the test.
• Candidates will only receive 1 piece of paper – containing login details for the test – to minimize shared contact surfaces.
• Nobody will be able to accompany test candidates into the test centre unless they are also registered for an IELTS test that day.
• If candidates have traveled outside Canada in the last 14 days they will not be allowed to take the test.

What about the speaking test?

The speaking test is similar to the existing procedure with a few extra safety protocols added. Your examiner will wear a mask and so will you. We know that the mask can make things difficult to hear, so if you can’t hear the examiner just ask them to repeat the question.

The pen and whiteboard used by students to take notes during speaking task 2 will be sanitized after every candidate.

When can I take the test?

We are currently taking bookings for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but our tests are filling up quickly, so book soon!  This schedule is likely to change slightly for August, so be sure to check our website for up-to-date information (and book your test) at  ieltsvictoria.com or email ieltsvictoria@gvenglish.com

Thanks for your patience

We hope you found this helpful, and we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to work towards your goals during this challenging time. We know that many test candidates in the community are urgently trying to book a test, so we are just as pleased as you that we’re open again.

We recognize and understand how important this test is to you, and we’re doing everything we possibly can to process your requests fairly and deliver the test safely as soon as possible.

We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals.