El Supremo

Is it best to sit the IELTS exams in the UK or Canada? The only difference between taking the test in Canada over the UK that i can think of is the use of American English and Canadian accents.

beckiwoo

If you can, take CELPIP, it's meant to be easier as it is all online.

Tootlepootle

PR application submitted today, let the anxious waiting begin!!

Stinkypup

Eek!

withabix

EasiER - a reminder to everyone DO NOT go in to CELPIP or IELTS without preparation. No matter how 'English' you are....

beckiwoo

Agreed.
I just think with IELTS even with prep it is harder. It wasn't easy for me at all!

Snowy560

Preparation is so important. Native English speakers don't need to revise in grammar books etc. but they do need to be prepared for the format of the test and to work through a couple of sample tests.

An example which an IELTS examiner gave to me is that sometimes on the speaking part, in response to a question, candidates (who are native English speakers) will not elaborate enough on answers assuming the examiner (another native speaker) will share the same experience of whatever is being described so they don't need to. But of course there is not much then to evaluate.

In my short career as a TESL teacher last year, I sometimes taught the IELTS preparation class where students used to work through different components of the tests. Listening was often very hard I thought *even* as a native speaker.

So prepare well!

S

KuroKuro

I agree on the points about preparation for the testing experience as much as your English ability.

I took it nice and steady when I took my CELPIP tests, but there were people around me who rushed right the way through. This meant that while I was still doing the reading tests, people around me were beginning the speaking parts, which is somewhat distracting in a mostly silent room! I blame that as the reason that I dropped a single mark on the reading.

I think that is the one main disadvantage of CELPIP, apart from for those that are not very computer-literate. IELTS just seems way more time-consuming, expensive and complicated (thus nerve inducing). Though the benefit is that IELTS can be used for other countries too!

bc2015

New draw - 461 points.

KuroKuro

So the processing time for first PR card has risen again... It's now up at 87 days. This is so ridiculously frustrating.

Anybody else landed in the last few months and are still waiting for their cards?

Ernie_wise

Became PR on October 30th so I'm at 72 days today. However, I have traveled to/from the US and the UK a couple of times in that period without any issues. I can see the wait for a card being a real pain once March comes around.

KuroKuro

Good to hear you haven't had any travel issues so far!

I have flights booked for vacation in mid-April, because I didn't foresee that I wouldn't have my card by now! I think my travel circumstances would make it extremely difficult to get a travel document, so I'm pretty much screwed if they don't come through before March!

The thing that is most annoying is that the websites always say to not call/email them if it's not outside of the processing time. It's difficult to be able to do that, if they're continually rising the number! I just want to make sure that it's being processed at all! I'll probably call them next week anyway, for what good it will do me. XD

Hasan78

Indeed it is annoying and very frustrating...

landed on Oct 11 and no PR card yet.

withabix

We Landed 12th September. PR Cards arrived 12th November (dated 5th November), so I suspect they maybe only get issued monthly??

My daughter landed on 18th December, so we shall see how long it takes!

The increased time is probably due to the new card format that came out in November - we probably got some of the last cards in the old format.

I suspect they stopped issuing just before the new card was introduced - maybe that is why there has been an increase in the time period...

beckiwoo

How long after receiving AOR should I get an update about my medical results?