Middy08

I'm a nurse and did the academic test. I failed the first time as I only managed to score a 6 on the reading section. I practiced for about a week before but think nerves got the best of me on the day. I re sat the test and got 9 listening, 8 reading, 7 writing and 8.5 speaking. For me the hardest section was reading, time is against you on this one. Practice skim reading and highlighting key names and points. In my test I found the questions were centered around comparing different researchers findings, because I had underlines the names I was able to find them in the text quicker, saving time answering the questions. If you're doing the general test then an hour or two practice is fine but the academic one is much tougher and I would suggest at least a couple of hours a day for week. I bought an IELTS test book with the listening cd, really boring to listen to but it's set out exactly the same as the one on the real test. Good luck with it

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. Married with a daughter, we're looking in to moving to queensland and have just started the application process. I'm a registered nurse. Unfortunately I was not able to do the degree training so its all panic stations trying to get our application ready before the points system changes in July. Its the 176 visa. I've go my IELTS test on the 22nd of January, I dont really know what to expect, trying to get some practice in with a prep book. Does anyone know if visa buero are any good, we've decided to go with them, its been ok so far. Just a bit worried at the mo because we can only submit the application in may as ive only been qualified 8 months. tryin to get as much done as possible before then. Hope to get hints and tips from anyone to help us along the way. Thanks