PeterJa Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Hi, can anyone who has sat the test answer a couple of questions please? - The notes I've seen refer to writing in pen and pencil. Candidates can write in pen can't they? If so, can you bring your own? - Do you get extra notepaper to plan your essay and letter? I really like to plan but I don't particularly want to do it on the answer paper. Thanks for any help, PJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 You answer reading and writing in pencil. Writing is your choice I used pencil less messy when I changed words. Think I used question sheet for plan ( brief plan as timing is important element) good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezzles Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I used pencil for all tests as its easier to amend mistakes. You can make your plan on question paper and I urge you to spend at least 5 minutes planning your essay it really helped me. Good luck let me know if you want to know anything about the tests and what to expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisham Al Said Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 be careful, you may use pen only in writing section. In listening & reading sections, you should use pencil. this made me confused in my first ielts session .. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamps Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I did mine a few months ago and used pencil throughout, nowhere did it dictate that a pen had to be used (delighted with my results, 8.5,9,9,9) Tip, take a pencil sharpener, or several sharp pencils, with all of that writing it's surprising how quickly they go blunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJa Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Great, thanks A LOT for the help everyone. One thing I've noticed is there seems to be a huge amount of time allocated for the listening and the reading, but very little for the writing. An hour to write a 150 word letter and a 250 essay is pretty tight. Is it just me or did other people find this? Cheers, PJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I know how to use a pencil when writing. But I'm not sure how to use a pencil for listening or reading. Are you supposed to wave it around while listening or what ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolbreeze Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Great, thanks A LOT for the help everyone. One thing I've noticed is there seems to be a huge amount of time allocated for the listening and the reading, but very little for the writing. An hour to write a 150 word letter and a 250 essay is pretty tight. Is it just me or did other people find this? Cheers, PJ I personally found the 1 hour enough time and I really did write a lot. Just be careful not to digress or stray from the question. Native speakers do tend to float around the question. You need to be as concise as possible with your answer and honestly, the word limit they give you, is enough for a high score. I struggled in practice papers as I was using my essay skills picked up from doing my History degree. I read the marking criteria thoroughly and realised that you really can keep the word limit down if you just stick to the point at hand at all times. Pencils and a rubber was provided for me on my test date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curryrice Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Great, thanks A LOT for the help everyone. One thing I've noticed is there seems to be a huge amount of time allocated for the listening and the reading, but very little for the writing. An hour to write a 150 word letter and a 250 essay is pretty tight. Is it just me or did other people find this? Cheers, PJ Yes, I felt it was really tight to complete even I couldn't have written plan but only in mind. Also never paused in the middle of writing. After completing essay writing, around 1min later the bell rang. But thank God that I got score 7 which is not bad. Hope for the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezzles Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 If you plan your essay first intro, middle and summary then you should have time to complete. There are loads of tips on essay writing on here I've posted lots about ielts test so look up my previous threads. Do you have any practice material? Loads on Internet for free and it's worth doing for reading listening and writing, if you're native English speaker then the speaking test is easy you can make it up as you go along! The letter part just make sure you address all the bullet points in the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJa Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks again everyone. I think I'm going to write in pencil as unless I plan very thoroughly - too thoroughly given the timescales - I want to make corrections. Looking at the IELTS site pencil is fine. http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-your-test/test-day-advice/writing-test-advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyv Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Sitting my Ielts on saturday! Eeek! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toodolou Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks again everyone. I think I'm going to write in pencil as unless I plan very thoroughly - too thoroughly given the timescales - I want to make corrections. Looking at the IELTS site pencil is fine. http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-your-test/test-day-advice/writing-test-advice Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayrshire2oz Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Good Luck to everyone sitting the IELTS test on Saturday. I sat mine in October and was not allowed to take any stationary in (was planning to take a highlighter for reading test, a tip from this site. We were all provided with a pencil a sharpener and an eraser. I just underlined important info in the reading test with the pencil and found the pencil & eraser useful in the writing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abz123 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Good Luck to everyone sitting the IELTS test on Saturday. I sat mine in October and was not allowed to take any stationary in (was planning to take a highlighter for reading test, a tip from this site. We were all provided with a pencil a sharpener and an eraser. I just underlined important info in the reading test with the pencil and found the pencil & eraser useful in the writing!!! I don't want to seem like a pedant but try and make sure you use the correct stationery/stationary, their/there/they're, principle/principal etc. in your written paper as this demonstrates your understanding of the English language. I also heard that a misspelt answer in the listening section would be a wrong answer e.g. Goverment (missing n) but don't know if that is true or just a scare story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezzles Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I don't want to seem like a pedant but try and make sure you use the correct stationery/stationary, their/there/they're, principle/principal etc. in your written paper as this demonstrates your understanding of the English language. I also heard that a misspelt answer in the listening section would be a wrong answer e.g. Goverment (missing n) but don't know if that is true or just a scare story. Yes they deduct points for spelling mistakes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amg Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Hi, A silly question maybe but I am new to this: Why do English people have to pass an IELTS test? Just wondering... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMay24 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 If you have a UK passport (or Canada or US) you are considered to meet the requirement for English proficiency. However if you want to claim points for a skilled visa for English proficiency you will need to prove this through the IELTS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amg Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 If you have a UK passport (or Canada or US) you are considered to meet the requirement for English proficiency. However if you want to claim points for a skilled visa for English proficiency you will need to prove this through the IELTS. O right, thanks for explaining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toodolou Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Hi, A silly question maybe but I am new to this: Why do English people have to pass an IELTS test? Just wondering... Thanks! i think just because people are born English , it doesnt mean they have a acceptable level or ability of writing , speaking, reading , or listening to English - for oz emigration purposes i often wonder how my son will get on when he is older with all the texting abreviations they use nowadays ... also a older relative of mine is English, always has been but really would not be able to write very well at all . i dont necessarily see the IELTs as a bad thing ... despite the fact i had to do it myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowlingAFC Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Failed twice on the writing, breezed the 3rd. a Was starting to hack me off, could have been one of those things that kept niggling away. All good though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toodolou Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 im surprised they were able to read my writing , i wrote so fast and almost couldnt read it myself! going to book general for feb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyv Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Toodoloo why do you need to do the general aswell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I did it twice. Needed to sit the academic IELTS for my skills assessment and needed 7's or above for that. However, I needed 8's and above to claim 20 points for my visa. As i only got a 7.5 for my reading on the academic test I had to sit it again. But because it was for points only, I could do the general instead of the academic which was a bit easier. I suspect toodoloo is doing it for the same reasons. Debs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Counting Stars Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I'm going to have to do the academic when we apply for PR when I'm qualified.... Scary! Lol x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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