Jim

Yes. PTE-Academic.

Thanks Bungo. I think you might be right about that. Cheers.

Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement. Apparently my writing is not good enough for a band 7 in IELTS test. Yes, English is my second language, but I use it almost every single day. It may sound silly but do I really need to wait a few months before next test?

Hi everyone, I have a question about IELTS remarking. I was sitting an IELTS test on the 10th December, and have received my result today. L: 8.5 R:9 W:6.5 S:6 My goal is to get a band 7 in each section and I have obtained 6.5 on either my writing or speaking previously. However, before this test, I had spent two months practising on these two parts with my instructor and some Australian friends and been scored around 7 consistently. Besides that, I was really confident with my performance at the actual test. Unfortunately, the result tells a different story. After researching many online comments about IELTS reassessment, many suggested that there had been remarked if there were two band difference between sections in the scores, which in my case, there are 2.5 bands difference between listening and speaking or between reading and writing. So, it is said to be pointless to apply for a remark. However, others said it is worth a shot. Now, I am on the fence. Shall I get my result remarked, or prepare for next test? I have poured lots of time, efforts and energy into this test. I have tried PTE but got worse scores on that. I am physically and mentally exhausted now. I will appreciate any suggestions. Cheers

I, here, am like some of those who are attempting to obtain more points to immigrate to Australia. In order to do that, achieving proficiency level in English skills has become my top priority for last year, so I have taken IELTS General Training (IELTS GT) test twice, and my latest score that was released last December was below. Listening: 7.5 Reading: 8 Writing: 6 Speaking: 6.5 As a result, it fails to meet the requirement of proficiency English level, four 7s. Later, after I was recommended the PTE-Academic (PTE-A), I have prepared for the test with those available materials and books, and even have attended a course. After two attempts of PTE-A (Yes, also two trials), I have got score of 50+ overall (Listening: 50+, Reading:50+, Speaking:40:, Writing:60+). I am a graduate of a master degree in a university in Australia, and have lived in Australia for six years. I have been taking time, money and efforts to prepare for the test. It doesn't make sense that my English is as awful as a score of 50+ in PTE, which is equivalent to only band 6 in IELTS. I am here asking for help, as I am devastated. Seemingly, the PTE-A doesn't give me any advantages since it evaluates my English through a machine. On the other hand, IELTS has been long questioned about its objectivity on the speaking and writing sections. So, should I give PTE-A another shot, or should I shift back to IELTS GT? Please give me any advices, thanks.

I am here with you about that. I have taken the PTE test twice, and have got a very similar score. Between the first and second attempts, I have spent three months or four on preparing and fixing my weaknesses, mostly on speaking part. My oral fluency did boost, but the speaking score didn't go up at all. On speaking session, I previously achieved 6.5 in IELTS, and now only deserve 40 in PTE-A. I am completely lost. I was thinking that probably I could gain 4 7s through IELTS test if I were taking the same preparation time (three or four months) on it. Any thoughts, please?

That's terrified. May I ask what score he got from the third time IELTS test?

Thanks for your encouragement Lukescotty, and the British accent youtube video was fascinating. After a few discussions with my mates, I don't think I would take IELTS again. I also know that you have attended PTE test and said it is easier than IELTS. So, I believe I have got the answer, and I need some professional helps to boost my skills up. Kind regards.

My apology for previous post. PTE did sent the result to my email address, but it went straight to junk mails. It is quite quick to receive my score, but unfortunately it doesn't meet my expectation. Compared with band 7, my latest IELTS result last December, I got 54 overall in PTE-A while I need 65+ for extra 10 points on my visa application. The worst section is the speaking, only 41. I have lived in Australia for 6 years and hanged out with Aussies a lot, so I don't know what I was doing that part wrong. Now, I am lost completely. Should I prepare IELTS for four 7s, or redo PTE to get four 65s?

Hi there. Firstly, I would like to thank for all the useful information everyone provided. It has given me confidence on taking PTE-A test, and I have got some insights on its preparation. I took the gold package kit from the Pearson website, and was practising with some self-learning books (softcopies only). Actually, I have just attended the test yesterday, but waiting for my scores is killing me. Although I felt a bit satisfied with my performance last day, I am getting concerned about my result as Pearson hasn't informed me by email within 24 hours. Based on their exam experiences mentioned on the Internet, many candidates who have taken PTE-A test would more likely get their desired scores if they got their results in a day after testing. Now, it has been one and half day for me, and I have no words from them. Is it a sign that I am going to get a bad mark? Besides that, I was told that they may give me uneven sores if I registered the test with the purpose of immigration to Australia. For example, I might be scored 60 or below on one of those modules while getting 80 or above on the rest, as people believe that Pearson is trying to make money out of examination takers now. By the way, I only need 65+ on each modules for my visa application. I am devastated by these information. Please, is there anyone having any ideas about them? Cheers.

Well, excellent scores. My test is in the early April and I am still practising for it though. Wish me good luck.

Hi everyone, I need some helps on how to prepare for PTE-A. I found out that the parts of describing image and re-telling lecture on Speaking section could be really tricky. Most of time I couldn't have finished my speech in 40 seconds. Every time when I tried to speak fast, it got worse. Then, I would oftenly get nervous and my brain didn't follow up or process any sentences. On top of that, the content in the re-telling lecture of Speaking and the summarising spoken text of Listening could be difficult to understand occasionally, especially when the speaker mentioned some person names or unknown terminologies which were also the key words. I just simply got stuck when that happened. Please, anyone can give me any advices to those, aren't there?

I am planning to have a PTE-A test in March, and find your suggestions really helpful.

I am planning to have a PTE-A test in March, and find your suggestions really helpful.

I appreciate your advices. I have been taking your words as consideration, and it makes lots of sense. Frankly speaking, I am unsure that I could achieve the score from PTE, in order to get additional points for invitation, but it is worth a shot.

Unfortunately I got nothing so far. Wish you good luck too.

Well, it seems that there are a majority of people having lodged EOI of 190 on NSW and still waiting,

Really? It was really frustrating to prepare for IELTS test. I don't think it would be worthy to try a new English exam system now. Especially, it is taken on computers, which l am not familiar with. That is why I am taking a shot on the visa 190, like what you did.

Hi everyone, I have just submitted my EOI of 190 visa for NSW state nomination (55+5) as software engineer on the 1st of February. I have two years work experience outside Australia, and IELTS overall score is band 7 but not 4 7s. Anyone knows how long it takes to get invitation for the visa? Cheers.

Hi everyone, I have just submitted my EOI of 190 visa for NSW state nomination (55+5) as software engineer on the 1st of February. I have two years work experience outside Australia, and IELTS overall score is band 7 but not 4 7s. Anyone knows how long it takes to get invitation for the visa? Or anyone have already got it from the state government? Cheers.

Six weeks?! That's fast. I have just lodged my EOI of 190 visa for NSW state nomination as software engineer on the 1st of February. I am now hoping that it could take as soon so yours.

Thanks. So there's nothing I can do but checking with my agent.

Well, you are not alone. Mine was lodged in March, and now it's still in progress.

Hi everyone, Just wondering if anybody knows how to check the progress of Employer Sponsorship for 457 visa on my side. I have been waiting for the applications to be approved for months, but I haven't heard anything from my agent since April. It shows nothing but 'Assessment in Progress' on the ImmiAccount of my visa, and it doesn't give me any information about Sponsorship or Nomination. Does anyone know how to chase the Sponsorship status please? Many thanks.:notworthy:

Well, I have applied on the mid March, but the nomination is still not approved yet. Frustrating...