Ielts

**valleylass** · 04-05-2009, 07:44 AM

Dear all

IELTS test is this weekend, I'm doing my revision and have got lots more tests from Gollywobbler (thanks again), hotel booked, directions downloaded, specs cleaned, pencils sharpened and brain most definitely in gear. Any advice or strategies from the PIO crowd would be gratefully received.

There's a great deal riding on this test and I don't want to let my family down.

Thanks

valleylass

**Shaz36** · 04-05-2009, 07:51 AM

Hi Valleylass,
Can I ask where you are doing it? I am doing it at the weekend too, in Brighton, and was wondering if there was anyone else out there going there.

How would I get a copy of the tests that Gollywobbler sent you? Did you pm her? And are they good? I am also worrying slightly as I've got a book and done a few tests but still dont feel fully prepared.

Shaz

**valleylass** · 04-05-2009, 08:15 AM

Hello Shaz36

Not Brighton but Oxford, I can send you the tests as Gollywobbler emailed them to me. Not sure I can do that from this site though unless you pm me your email address. She sent me three and they are Winzipped, so I can do the same if you want them. Let me know

Good luck !

valleylass

**yankee** · 04-05-2009, 09:31 AM

HI there,

We don't have to do one yet for this visa (457 visa, major group 1), but I did a bit of research on it. Everyone says that the real trick is to get used to the type of questions and mainly the process of the test in terms of timing etc. I kept reading again and again that this was the best thing to prepare for regarding IELTS.

Best of luck!

**The Ozcans** · 04-05-2009, 09:40 AM

Hi Valleylass,
They will forgive spelling and grammar mistakes in the writing IF it flows nicely as a piece AND you complete the task full, ie include everything they ask for.
My OH is convinced he passed the writing because he had to write a piece about grandparents living with their families or being in homes, and at the end wrote: I'd give anything to have one more day with my granny !!!!!!! He thinks that little bit of emotion swung it for him!!!!! (just his opinion!!!!)
Good luck

Sue x

**Dom and Elaine** · 04-05-2009, 11:16 AM

I just got the results of my IELTS General Test from Westminster University. 8.5 so the application still on track.

Having read lots of comments about the tests I can only say that I did absolutely no practice at all - and I just rocked up and it was pretty simple for an English speaker.

I can see how someone with English as a second language might find it tricky, but not an English speaker. Really the only challenge was having to write freehand for a couple of hours. I use a keyboard everyday so writing longhand is not something I do, so writing again made my hand ache!!

**valleylass** · 04-05-2009, 12:50 PM

Well done you! Hope I manage to secure it all first time round.

valleylass

**Janeloz** · 04-05-2009, 01:28 PM

My OH got his results this weekend, 8.5, 8.5, 7.0 & 9.0, so overall score of 8.5, so we're really pleased. He did very little revision and found it fine. For his writing test he had to write about public speaking and presenting and the pros & cons of it, and whether public speaking should be taught in schools. He came home feeling fairly confident, but then only got a 7.0 in writing, and as he needed to get 7.0 in all four categories, it was a bit close, but a pass is a pass.

Good luck to all those taking it shortly.

**garynhelen** · 04-05-2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by valleylass

Dear all

IELTS test is this weekend, I'm doing my revision and have got lots more tests from Gollywobbler (thanks again), hotel booked, directions downloaded, specs cleaned, pencils sharpened and brain most definitely in gear. Any advice or strategies from the PIO crowd would be gratefully received.

There's a great deal riding on this test and I don't want to let my family down.

Thanks

valleylass

I took the test and got word this weekend. i scored an '8'. First we did a listening test where they played an audio of a conversation. It started fairly easy where you simply have to put the blanks in having heard a phone number for example. Towards the end of this it still had blanks but you had to show understanding of what was being said and fill in blanks. The reading test was also quite simple but then became some questions that asked if you really understood the text and was able to work out some questions, some which seemed to be a little tricky. The writing one I found to be easy as it required writing a letter. Its advised you use some creativity here not forgetting to dot i's and cross your t's. The it had 250 words on a topic. id learn how to do a short planning of what u will write so you can fill the word requirement. the speaking test is very straightforward and nerves would be the only issue for a uk national. The speaking test doesnt really test your knowledge, they asked me about the environment, not a strong subject. I told them this and explained what i knew about what they asked and I got 8.5 out of 9 for this, writing, and listening. I got 7 for reading which did suprise me.

if theres any more help you need let us know. It would be unlikely someone who has skills to enter oz and is a UK national would struggle to be honest. that said the test does get tricky and in some ways im glad.