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IELTS · Computer-Delivered IELTS · China

Computer-Delivered IELTS for the IELTS Exam — Chinese candidates

5% of the IELTS test plan. Computer-Delivered IELTS (CD-IELTS) is the digital version offered at most centres — same content, on-screen, with results in 3–5 days. Calibrated for Chinese candidates.

If you have already studied this content from a textbook, you know the material. The question this page answers is whether you can apply it under exam conditions. Computer-Delivered IELTS sits at roughly 5% of the International English Language Testing System content distribution — CD-IELTS is now the default at most test centres. Format quirks (e.g., highlighting the passage on screen, on-screen timer, typing speed) affect strategy. Pass rates for the IELTS are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Chinese candidates preparing for IELTS, the calibration of study to local context matters: Gaokao is China's domestic entrance exam. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT dominate study-abroad tracks. HSK is the proficiency standard for non-native Mandarin speakers.

Pass rates for IELTS (China) are published periodically by the awarding body.

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Typing too slowly to finish Writing tasks
  • !Forgetting to use the on-screen highlight tool in Reading
  • !Tab/cursor confusion across question formats
  • !Eye strain from 90 minutes of continuous screen reading

Study tips

  • 1Test typing speed before booking — Band 7 requires ~30 WPM minimum to finish both tasks.
  • 2Practice with the official British Council CD-IELTS familiarisation tool.
  • 3Drill the on-screen highlight, copy-paste, and word-count features.
  • 4Take a 5-minute eye-rest after the Listening section before Reading begins.
  • 5中国考生备考 IELTS 时，建议优先攻克英语听力与写作两个最易失分的板块 — 每日固定时段做真题模拟。

Sample IELTS Computer-Delivered IELTS questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real IELTS questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    On Computer-Delivered IELTS, how is your final spoken response delivered?

    • ARecorded by a microphone and uploaded
    • BIn person, face-to-face with a human examinerCorrect
    • CBy video call with a remote examiner
    • DBy voice-AI scoring system
    Why this answer?

    Speaking is always delivered face-to-face with a human examiner, even on Computer-Delivered IELTS. Only Listening, Reading, and Writing are computerized.

Frequently asked questions

Are paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS scored the same?
Yes. Both versions use identical band descriptors and are scored on the same scale. The main practical differences are speed (CD-IELTS results in 3–5 days vs 13 days for paper) and format familiarity.
What is the IELTS pass rate for Chinese candidates?
Pass rates for IELTS candidates in China are published periodically by the awarding body. Practice questions, full-length simulations, and weak-area drills are the highest-impact way to improve your odds.
How long should Chinese candidates study Computer-Delivered IELTS for the IELTS?
For most candidates, focused mastery of Computer-Delivered IELTS requires 20–40 hours of deliberate practice — drilling sample questions, reviewing failure modes, and timing yourself against exam conditions. Gaokao is China's domestic entrance exam. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT dominate study-abroad tracks. HSK is the proficiency standard for non-native Mandarin speakers. Combine Computer-Delivered IELTS study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

Practice IELTS reading, writing, listening, speaking — free.

Band-7 vocabulary, Task-1 / Task-2 templates, and AI speaking partners that score by band descriptors.

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