Bav

Agree....don't bother with IELTS as it's complete waste of time. Just save your money and time and go with PTE... IELTS is designed to make you fail as writing with pen on paper is ridiculous these days. PTE is far more practical and real life so I would recommend it anyday over IELTS. Mt reasons below: I had a similar issue where my target score needed was 8+, managed to get 9 on all other sections in IELTS but never managed to cross 7.5 in writing (simply because we have all become so used to trying on keyboard rather than writing manually, so no doubt writing will become illegible thereby not highlighting the real reason for the test which is command over English). So after 3 wasted IELTS attempts to secure over 7.5 in writing, I turned to PTE. And in one attempt, had 90. Furthermore, if you want to retake IELTS, the nature of the test means you have to wait for a fortnight to book (not to mention the wait time to receive your IELTS score). So approx a month wasted before you sit another. With PTE, you usually get your test results in 2-3 days (I got mine next day) so gives/saves you valuable time if you did not achieve your desired score the first time round. PTE definitely way forward especially if you require a higher ecore. (And want to save money and time). All the best.

HI Nikhil, Did you receive the all clear? Bav

Hi Supercow, You still have the PTE A book which I could borrow please for a month? I have also attempted IELTS 4 times as need 8 in all bands to secure the 20 points for English language requirement. Inspite of overall band score being 8.5 on all occasions, the first 2 times, I was let down by Writing (7.5), third time received 8 in all including Writing but Reading dropped to 7.5. And fourth attempt, after my result being delayed for 3 weeks due to QA and compliance checks, Writing again dropped 7.5 - cannot understand what is happening. If at all, if its anything, may be my writing. Who in this day and age actually writes a letter??? IELTS are completely useless and all they need is £££ and are looking at ways to try and trick you into NOT getting scores, so you keep reattempting. I am at 60 points but seems the queue for my code is too long and so the only way is to get the maximum in English requirements, which means taking PTE-A definitely over IELTS.

Excellent article Supercow. I have also attempted IELTS 4 times as need 8 in all bands to secure the 20 points for English language requirement. Inspite of overall band score being 8.5 on all occasions, the first 2 times, I was let down by Writing (7.5), third time received 8 in all including Writing but Reading dropped to 7.5. And fourth attempt, after my result being delayed for 3 weeks due to QA and compliance checks, Writing again dropped 7.5 - cannot understand what is happening. If at all, if its anything, may be my writing. Who in this day and age actually writes a letter??? IELTS are completely useless and all they need is £££ and are looking at ways to try and trick you into NOT getting scores, so you keep reattempting. I am at 60 points but seems the queue for my code is too long and so the only way is to get the maximum in English requirements, which means taking PTE-A definitely over IELTS. Anyone has the PTE A book which I could borrow please for a month?