With the evolving circumstances and the prevailing health concerns, the duty of care towards our test takers continues to be the top priority. Therefore, after a brief pause taken to support and cooperate with government directives and to prepare to cater to the growing need of safety and hygiene procedures, British Council IELTS test has resumed from September 2020.
As before, test takers can choose IELTS test on paper or on a computer at any British Council official test centre. Paper-based IELTS and Computer-delivered IELTS is essentially the same test with the same content and structure. The only difference is that test takers can either choose to type answers or to write on paper – whichever suits them best. Since venue capacity might reduce due to an added layer of physical distancing measures, more IELTS tests with additional test dates is offered to meet the growing need.
Additionally, Test takers can now choose video-call Speaking test, available exclusively in some British Council centres and test takers can now choose their Speaking test timing when they register with the British Council. This Speaking test will be taken at an official IELTS test centre with the same high standard of identity verification. The test will be delivered via a video call by an IELTS Speaking examiner, enabling a real-life, real-time, two-way interaction. The video-call Speaking test will be the same as the in-person Speaking test in terms of content, scoring, timing, question format and security arrangements. Test takers can expect clear sound, secure fast connections, and real-life conversation.
Maintaining the safety and hygiene measures have been given significant attention in all the test centres, as per the global standards and Bangladesh Government guidelines. The test takers are communicated beforehand about the precaution they need to maintain, such as wearing a mask that covers mouth and nose and the temperature checking mechanisms that are available in the centres. Paper, furniture, computer, equipment, stationery, headphones, and all publicly available surfaces are meticulously sanitised in all centres before every test. All staffs and examiners wear protective gears during the test as well. More information on safety measures put in place at the British Council test centre are available here.
Even during the time when tests were cancelled as per government directives, test takers could still access free online materials, preparation video and resources on tips on IELTS essential skills, practice tests, dos and don’ts and expert advice on the four segments of IELTS, which could be accessed from home to prepare for the tests. Extended support was also provided to ease transfer and deferrals. Test takers can still access exclusive preparation materials and the above-mentioned benefits when they book IELTS with the British Council.
IELTS is accepted by more than 10,000 organisations in over 140 countries and is developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment.