Malaysia and Thailand have abandoned paper-based IELTS exams, will Vietnam change?

Thí sinh tham gia bài thi IELTS - Ảnh: GETTY IMAGES — Candidates taking the IELTS test - Photo: GETTY IMAGES

In Malaysia, IELTS test organizers announced that from March 1, 2024, there will be no more paper-based IELTS test. Candidates will only have the option to take the IELTS test on computer.

Also from March 1, IELTS test centers in Thailand will stop using paper-based IELTS for non-residents. This means that if you are a foreigner coming to Thailand and do not have a residence permit, you cannot take the paper-based IELTS test.

Non-Thai nationals who wish to take the paper-based IELTS test in Thailand must provide the test organizer with proof of residency in Thailand for at least 3 days. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of registration and refund of the test fee. However, the computer-delivered IELTS test is still available to these individuals.

With changes in countries in the region, many candidates are worried about whether the IELTS test in Vietnam will be affected?

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on March 7, a representative of IDP Vietnam affirmed: "Currently, we have no plans to change the way the IELTS test is organized in Vietnam, which means it will still include two forms of testing: paper and computer."

“The changes in Malaysia and Thailand were made to enhance and ensure operational efficiency and test administration in line with the circumstances in these countries,” the unit added.

The deputy director of an English center in District 1 (HCMC) said that maintaining both paper-based and computer-based IELTS tests gives students more options.

Although the content of the paper-based and computer-based tests is the same, the format is slightly different. It will take some time for candidates to get used to the test-taking procedures between the two formats.

3.5 million IELTS tests per year

Since 1989, the IELTS test has been officially launched in the form of a paper test. By 2018, the computer-based test was applied.

The content and duration of the IELTS test on paper and on computer are the same. However, candidates taking the IELTS test on paper will receive their results after about 2 weeks, while candidates taking the IELTS test on computer will receive their scores after only 3-5 days.

IELTS is currently the most widely taken standardized English test each year. It is estimated that around 3.5 million candidates take the IELTS test each year.

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