Differences Between iBT and CBT - iBT vs CBT

Details of iBT and CBT

If you are someone who wants to evaluate how he or she can use the English language, then an education testing service has come up with a perfect test to assess your ability. We call this test TOEFL or test of English as a foreign language.

If you want to pursue your education abroad in a country like the United States of America, then it is mandatory for you to obtain a passing score in this exam.

This is a basic criterion that a non-native English speaker needs to meet in order to get enrolled in a University or college abroad. There are two different kinds of test formats when we talk about TOEFL exams. These two formats include CBT and IBT.

Difference Between iBT and CBT

IBT is an Internet Based Test on the other hand CBT is a Computer Based Test. This is a bit confusing as an internet-based test also involves the use of a computer system, then how come this format is different from the CBT one.

Well, they both are different in terms of content. IBT is more of an advanced version of a computer-based test.

The IBT format was introduced in the TOEFL exams in the year 2005. This was basically done to keep up with the advancements taking place in the technology world.

Moreover, this new format matches up with the emerging trends. Plus, these internet-based tests are a lot more convenient to give in comparison to paper-based written tests.

IBT is an Advanced Version of CBT

Since the emergence of the Internet Based tests, computer-based tests have been removed from the examination format from the year 2006. Even if you give a CBT exam, then the scores obtained will not be valid and not allow you to get admission to any of the foreign universities.

IBT has been adopted by many countries like Italy, France, Germany, Canada, the United States, and many other parts of the world.  

Different Sections of the TOEFL Exams

One must complete the IBT test in the first four hours. This English language test consists of four parts in IBT as well as the CBT format. These four sections are reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

➥ Reading Section

The reading section is the lengthiest and easiest of all the sections. This is because the passages are academic in nature. Plus, these passages do not contain any heavy vocabulary words.   

➥ Speaking Section

If you talk about the speaking section, then there are 6 tasks that one needs to complete. There are some tasks that you need to answer spontaneously. It is more of an appraisal of how well you can express your thoughts and convey the message.

The next task is to synthesize and summarize the content that you have previously read and listened to. These kinds of tasks judge your capability of communicating a long message in a succinct form and that too in an effective manner.

➥ Writing Section

There are two different tasks that one needs to perform in the writing section. One of the independent tasks and the other one is an integrated task. You need to prepare a summary of the material that you listened to at the time of the integrated task.

Whereas when you give the independent test, you need to share your personal opinion on a particular subject.

➥ Listening Section

Last but not least is the listening section.  This section aims at measuring how well the candidate can construe the ideas and details that one share with him in a conversation or passage.

You will only get to listen to the recording once but you have the authority to create notes at the same time. You can refer to the notes later when you are answering questions.

Summary: So, this article was all about the difference between IBT and CBT. CBT test has been replaced by IBT and CBT scores are no longer valid to get admission in another country. There are 4 sections in the TOEFL exams that one needs to complete that is writing, reading, listening, and speaking. IBT is an advanced version of CBT.