Candidates can no longer use pencils in paper-based IELTS exams, with the decision becoming effective from January 1, 2025.
Test takers will only be allowed to use pens when submitting written responses.
The two IELTS administrators in Bangladesh, the British Council and IDP, provided this update.
They said the pens to be used during the tests will be provided by the test centres.
Candidates have been instructed not to bring any personal belongings into the test room. They will only be allowed to bring their passport or national identity (NID) car into the test room.
The decision for the shift is made by Cambridge University.
British Council Bangladesh is implementing the policy from January 25, 2025.
Talking with Dhaka Tribune, IELTS Administrator of IDP Bangladesh K M B Zaman said: “We have not fixed a date to shift yet, but it will be implemented from next January.”
“We will inform all the partners and test takers before implementation through an official notice,” he added.
Sarwat Reza, director of business development at British Council Bangladesh, told Dhaka Tribune: “The candidate will not face any problems regarding the policy of not being allowed to use a pencil.”
“There is plenty of space in both listening and reading answer sheets to cross out an answer to change another,” she added.
When asked whether frequent strikethroughs will affect the candidate’s result in the writing module, Sarwat said: “As long as their spelling and grammar are correct, the correction strikes will not affect their test score.”
Head of IELTS of Mentors’ Asir Samy believes this is a negative development.
He said: “Previously, we instructed our students to use pens and discussed the advantages of erasing. Now, we are unable to continue this practice, and students may encounter difficulties when writing answers.”
Meanwhile, Aspire Academy CEO Labib Jahangir said: “This rule has both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, candidates will be faster with a pen as they are familiar with it. However, candidates who are bad at spelling might need to cross out multiple times.”
Currently, both pencils and pens can be used to write in paper-based IELTS exams. Candidates are also allowed to carry a labelless water bottle and their own stationery to exam venues.
