最近雅思在2016年开始机考的消息很火热，大家听到机考都持怀疑的态度，并且议论纷纷，但是7PLUS雅思经过一番仔细的调查，我们发现对于雅思机考其实在2005年5月6日在一些国家就已经开始尝试了。

来看下当时国内雅思机构的新闻：

雅思机考被称为CB IELTS （Compute-based IELTS), CB IELTS和目前所知道的消息一样，05年机考考的时候听力，阅读为电脑考试，写作可以选择电脑考或者手写，口语还是一对一人考。但是当时雅思CB IELTS也是作为一种尝试，没有大范围的进行机考。只在以下几个考点进行了尝试或者说实验 ：

Italy, Milan – British Council
India, New Delhi – British Council
India, New Delhi – IDP Education Australia
Bangladesh, Dhaka – British Council
Egypt, Alexandria – British Council
Egypt, Cairo Agouza – British Council
Jordan, Amman – British Council
Kenya, Nairobi – Australian University Studies Institute
UAE, Abu Dhabi – British Council
UAE, Dubai – British Council
Vietnam, Hanoi – British Council

（http://www.ielts-mentor.com/cb-ielts)

在进行了一段时间之后，目前这些考点还是回归了paper-based。相信雅思官方也是收集到足够的机考反馈了，并且也一直在研究。所以才会在10年之后开始实行机考。

所以说，雅思机考，官方知情并且已经进行了尝试。如果说问一下“有关负责人”（是否和国内的“有关部门”一样）或者雅思考官，怎么就可以认定官方不知情？ 7PLUS雅思也和我们的现役雅思考官确认过机考的事情，我们的考官确实也说不清楚但是他没有说官方不知情。

另外，既然目前有机考的消息，相信也不是空穴来风。

对于一些同学担心自己打字慢，其实雅思针对这种情况，在05年试验机考的时候，如果学生选择机考，写作可以选打字或者手写的。所以同学们不用过于担心自己打字很慢的问题，雅思还是会很人性化的，毕竟考雅思的考生当中，也有上岁数的考生。

对于单词和语法自动更正的问题，雅思的官方机构想必一定有对策的。而且考试的时候肯定不是用MS Word来考写作吧？

烤鸭们还是需要现在多多努力，争取在机考之前征服雅思。

PS：给大家推荐一个在线的雅思机考的练习网站，大家可以看一下机考是怎么样的。当然，平常也可以做雅思的练习。

声明一下：这个网站只是做为练习用的，不确定正式的机考就是这样。

http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/cbIELTS_listening.htm

下面是05年的时候，CB IELTS考试一些问答，大家可以看一下。

Why CB IELTS is not available everywhere?
» CB IELTS is being introduced initially at a limited number of IELTS centers, which have been chosen on the basis of specific technical and administrative requirements. The availability of the computer-based test will gradually be increased to meet the developing needs of both candidates and test score users globally. You should not be concerned if CB IELTS is not available in your nearest IELTS test center as paper based version is accepted by the university authority or the immigration offices.

• Which is easier, the computer-based IELTS test or the paper-based IELTS test?
There is no difference between these 2 exam formats. Both are same and examine the same skill sets of a candidate. It is advisable that, you should prefer which one you want to take based on your preference of using a computer or pen & paper.

• Can I take both Academic and General Training modules on the CB IELTS?
» No, only Academic Module is available on the CB IELTS. The IELTS partnership intends to make the CB General Training module available in the near future. So you should contact to the IELTS test centers to find out if this is available in your country or not.

• Does CB IELTS take the same length of time to sit as the paper-based IELTS test?
» Yes, the CB-IELTS has the very similar pattern with the paper-based test; i.e. it takes the same length, difficulty, and question format as the paper based IELTS exam.
Listening --30 minutes
Reading --60 minutes
Writing --60 minutes
Speaking (approximately) 15 minutes

However, in the paper-based IELTS Listening test, candidates are allowed an extra ten minutes for the purposes of transferring answers from the question paper to the answer sheet. There is no transferring of answers required in the computer-based test so the extra ten minutes is unnecessary. In both the paper-based and computer-based tests, candidates are given 30 seconds at the end of each section to check their answers for that section.

• How much does the CB IELTS test cost?
» The CB IELTS test costs the same as the paper based test. The cost of the IELTS exam is not fixed. It is set by test centers.

• Which is easier, the CB IELTS or the Paper-based test?
» There is NO DIFFERENCE between the computer-based test and the paper-based test. Both tests are SAME, it is just the difference in the test delivery i.e. one in done on paper while other one in a computer.

• Will all 4 modules of Computer based IELTS be covered in the same day?
» The Listening, Reading and Writing will be conducted on the same day. Regarding the Speaking test, it will be held on same day, under normal circumstances. However, if is advisable to seek confirmation from the Test Center 4 days prior to the test date. The IELTS test centers inform the candidates about the time schedule of the exam and hence you should not worry about that.

• Will I get my TRF (results) earlier, if I take CB IELTS?
» NO. The TRF will be released on the 13th day of taking your IELTS test. This is a standard policy followed worldwide by all centers both for paper based IELTS and CB IELTS. So you should not expect to get the result earlier if you intent to take the Computer based IELTS.

• Will the receiving institution know that a candidate has taken the computer-based IELTS?
» A candidate’s Test Report Form will look same both for computer-based or paper-based format. So the institutions won't bother about the exam format of a candidate. Computer Based IELTS does not test any further skill of a candidate and hence does not signify anything different than the paper based IELTS version.

• How can I prepare for the CB IELTS test?
» There is no difference between the CB IELTS and paper-based IELTS except that the CB IELTS is taken in a computer. Be prepared the same way as you would have been for a paper based IELTS test. You just need to be accustomed with basic computer operations to prepare for the CB IELTS test and this is very easy and not time consuming at all. Those who already have basic/ advanced computer knowledge should prepare as the same way as a Paper based IELTS exam.

• Is there a tutorial before the test which will show me how to do CB IELTS?
» In the live test, there is a short demonstration before each of the test modules (Listening, Reading and Writing), which has clear instructions and examples of what should be done in the test. A candidate should carefully follow the demonstration before attempting to answer any question.

I’m a very slow typist - Should I take the paper-based IELTS test instead of the computer-based one?
» You don’t need to be a good typist in order to take CB IELTS. Although it is necessary to have basic keyboard skills, however if you are a very slow typist you may prefer to hand-write your Writing test and IELTS provides this flexibility for candidates in a proven and secure testing environment. All you have to do is tick mark the paper based Writing while filling up your IELTS registration form.

• Can I use the Spellchecker option while I am typing my answers in the Listening and Reading tests?
» No, You are not allowed to use any kind of 'Spell-checker' while you sit for the CB IELTS. As in the paper-based test, incorrect spelling and grammar are penalized in CB IELTS. This is important in testing English language skill and ensures the validity of an IELTS score. So don't rely on the computer suggested spelling correction as you won't get this facility in the CB IELTS.

• Does the TRF for CB IELTS look different from the present Paper-based IELTS TRF?
» No. The TRF will look exactly the same and there is no difference between the TRF of a CB IELTS and a Paper based IELTS.

• How do I take Speaking test? On a Computer?
» No. The Speaking tests will be conducted face-to-face, as is presently done in paper based version. A skilled and experienced IELTS examiner would be present to conduct the speaking module.

（以上内容来自于http://www.ielts-mentor.com/cb-ielts）