Ielts
Dec 4th 2004, 4:52 am
#1
Raindancer
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 100
Ielts
I took the test today... and I'm so depressed... 
I think I did well with the listening (2 or 3 incorrect, but attempted, answers out of 40: I completely missed them while I was writing!), reading (1 or 2 of which I'm not sure, but should be correct) and speaking sections (except that I had the examiner repeat one question because I couldn't understand she was saying "level")... but I completely failed the writing section!!!
I had to write two texts (a complaint letter and a piece about advantages and disadvantages of renting a house) of 150 and 250 words respectively, but I got carried away with the first one (which I think I did well, at least), so I had not enough time to do the second decently (which happens to be the most important part of the section!)... I'm not even sure I wrote 100 words!
How ironic that a translator should fail the writing test... I mean, it's not like I can't put two words together, usually! I feel I really did a poor figure, and that's what bugs me the most
The general impression I had was that, considering that this is a test for non-native speakers, the time given for the writing section was not enough. Proportionally, we were given more time for the other sections.
Anyway, it's done and gone, so there's nothing else I can do about it...
I only hope I can get at least 6 out of 9 in each section... but I doubt it...
I will know the results on 10th December... good vibes and thoughts are welcome...
I think I did well with the listening (2 or 3 incorrect, but attempted, answers out of 40: I completely missed them while I was writing!), reading (1 or 2 of which I'm not sure, but should be correct) and speaking sections (except that I had the examiner repeat one question because I couldn't understand she was saying "level")... but I completely failed the writing section!!!
I had to write two texts (a complaint letter and a piece about advantages and disadvantages of renting a house) of 150 and 250 words respectively, but I got carried away with the first one (which I think I did well, at least), so I had not enough time to do the second decently (which happens to be the most important part of the section!)... I'm not even sure I wrote 100 words!
How ironic that a translator should fail the writing test... I mean, it's not like I can't put two words together, usually! I feel I really did a poor figure, and that's what bugs me the most
The general impression I had was that, considering that this is a test for non-native speakers, the time given for the writing section was not enough. Proportionally, we were given more time for the other sections.
Anyway, it's done and gone, so there's nothing else I can do about it...
I only hope I can get at least 6 out of 9 in each section... but I doubt it...
I will know the results on 10th December... good vibes and thoughts are welcome...
Dec 4th 2004, 5:17 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 43
Re: Ielts
Don't feel that bad, the test is not about English, but time!
You couldn't guess it, unless you had taken preparation course classes... I believe it never crossed your mind, once you work with translations...
I recommend the prep course to every friend of mine that decides to immigrate and ask me for tips (regardless their english proficiency)!
Therefore, my dear, don't feel bad - at all - you will pass the exam, but you won't make it as well as you would if you had had a prep course...
Cheers mate.
BrAus
You couldn't guess it, unless you had taken preparation course classes... I believe it never crossed your mind, once you work with translations...
I recommend the prep course to every friend of mine that decides to immigrate and ask me for tips (regardless their english proficiency)!
Therefore, my dear, don't feel bad - at all - you will pass the exam, but you won't make it as well as you would if you had had a prep course...
Cheers mate.
BrAus
Dec 4th 2004, 8:15 pm
#3
Raindancer
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 100
Re: Ielts
Unfortunately, it's too late for practice, but thanks anyway... I had only this occasion and I won't have another.
"the test is not about English, but time!"
That's exactly what I thought, afterwards! But why would the DIMIA need that kind of test, I don't know... I mean, shouldn't I prove that I can speak and write English correctly? What does speed have to do with it? I do think it's absurd. I believe that a test on grammar and orthography would have made more sense...
You are right about preparation, but I only had confirmation that I had to take this test on 29th November, so I didn't even have much time to prepare, what with work and all
I wonder if at least I can get 15 points, instead of 20, if I don't get 6 in each section... that would be enough...
"the test is not about English, but time!"
That's exactly what I thought, afterwards! But why would the DIMIA need that kind of test, I don't know... I mean, shouldn't I prove that I can speak and write English correctly? What does speed have to do with it? I do think it's absurd. I believe that a test on grammar and orthography would have made more sense...
You are right about preparation, but I only had confirmation that I had to take this test on 29th November, so I didn't even have much time to prepare, what with work and all
I wonder if at least I can get 15 points, instead of 20, if I don't get 6 in each section... that would be enough...
Dec 5th 2004, 12:58 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 43
Re: Ielts
Originally Posted by Athena
Unfortunately, it's too late for practice, but thanks anyway... I had only this occasion and I won't have another.
"the test is not about English, but time!"
That's exactly what I thought, afterwards! But why would the DIMIA need that kind of test, I don't know... I mean, shouldn't I prove that I can speak and write English correctly? What does speed have to do with it? I do think it's absurd. I believe that a test on grammar and orthography would have made more sense...
You are right about preparation, but I only had confirmation that I had to take this test on 29th November, so I didn't even have much time to prepare, what with work and all
I wonder if at least I can get 15 points, instead of 20, if I don't get 6 in each section... that would be enough...
"the test is not about English, but time!"
That's exactly what I thought, afterwards! But why would the DIMIA need that kind of test, I don't know... I mean, shouldn't I prove that I can speak and write English correctly? What does speed have to do with it? I do think it's absurd. I believe that a test on grammar and orthography would have made more sense...
You are right about preparation, but I only had confirmation that I had to take this test on 29th November, so I didn't even have much time to prepare, what with work and all
I wonder if at least I can get 15 points, instead of 20, if I don't get 6 in each section... that would be enough...
I am sure you'll get it! You would just make it better if you had the prep course done...
Don't get mad at me, but I disagree with you. Ielts is very well prepared, it really measures one's ability to comprehend and comunicate in English. I scored almost the same in all tests I took during the prep course, which means
that for the ones who know what to expect when the real thing comes, it is quite precise.
Furthermore, with indefinite time, most of the candidates would score higher grades, which wouldn't differenciate who has better English...
Best luck
BrAus
Dec 5th 2004, 5:23 am
#5
Raindancer
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 100
Re: Ielts
Originally Posted by BrAus
Athena,
I am sure you'll get it! You would just make it better if you had the prep course done...
Don't get mad at me, but I disagree with you. Ielts is very well prepared, it really measures one's ability to comprehend and comunicate in English. I scored almost the same in all tests I took during the prep course, which means
that for the ones who know what to expect when the real thing comes, it is quite precise.
Furthermore, with indefinite time, most of the candidates would score higher grades, which wouldn't differenciate who has better English...
Best luck
BrAus
I am sure you'll get it! You would just make it better if you had the prep course done...
Don't get mad at me, but I disagree with you. Ielts is very well prepared, it really measures one's ability to comprehend and comunicate in English. I scored almost the same in all tests I took during the prep course, which means
that for the ones who know what to expect when the real thing comes, it is quite precise.
Furthermore, with indefinite time, most of the candidates would score higher grades, which wouldn't differenciate who has better English...
Best luck
BrAus
... I guess it's just that we don't have tests like that here in Italy, we're usually given enough time and no word limit (at least, that's how it worked when I went to school...), for essays, so I was caught unprepared, as you said...
Dec 6th 2004, 6:04 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ielts
> I only hope I can get at least 6 out of 9 in each section... but I
> doubt it... :(
> I will know the results on 10th December... good vibes and thoughts are
> welcome...
Hi there,
I'm from Croatia. I learned English through movies
and reading. I've never lived in any anglophone country.
Took the test this September; I didn't prepare the test at all
(except browsing through a sample test [IELTS specimen] for two
hours in the night immediately before the test), so naturally I didn't
expect too much from it in terms of results - I already allotted/planned
the next test date for a second try.
On the flippant side, I believe this strategy (giving myself a second,
fallback "comfort" date) gave me some psychological air and boosted
my overall confidence on this test.
During the test, I was maximally focused. Exercising (physically) a day
before the test helped, as did a cup of good cappuccino 15 minutes
before the test, which commenced at 9:00 in the morning.
Listening section - wasn't too difficult, but you really have to be very
focused, because if you're not, you miss a word or a part of sentence, and
since
it's a one-time shot (they don't rewind the tape), you lose points.
Got grade 8 here. Recommendation: be super-focused. Don't go to a night
club playing loud music for at least several days before the test.
Reading - wasn't too difficult. It was a matter of reading the passages
carefully first (so that you understand what it's all about), then going to
the question section, then looking up for the answers in the text for
each question. Got maximum grade 9 here. Recommendations: read
and understand the gist of the text first. Then look up answers for each
of the questions as you solve them one by one.
Writing - wasn't so bad. However time is extremely critical here.
On the first written task, I did well, and word count was within given
limits.
However I lost too much time on this first task, so my word count
on the second, longer task was somewhat below the limit (I think
200 out of 250). Got 7.5 here. Recommendation: be aware time is
extremely critical here. Write directly on the given answer paper,
don't make a draft first on a separate scratch paper. (However,
your mileage may vary - make a draft first if you're more comfortable
with that.)
Speaking - I was totally confused here, since I didn't listen to the
CD that I received with the specimen. I listened to the specimen CD after
the test, so it turns out that this "speaking" section is highly
stereotypic, meaning the examiner always asks you the same
set of questions: what is your name? where do you come from?
can you tell me more about your city? and so on. After a relatively
bad start, I "recovered" later on in the second half of this section.
I tried to used as many adjectives as possible, and compose
grammatically correct structures in my head before I utter them.
So be advised to listen to a sample CD before the test, this way
you know what questions will be asked. Got 7.5 here.
All in all, I got general grade of 8 (out of 9). I was pretty anxious
after the test; I was sure I did less then very good. However it turned out
that,
according to IELTS, I am a "fluent" speaker! You can judge (or
at least estimate) my fluency by this message - I've written it in a
heartbeat, with no correction or subsequent inspection. My background
is mathematics and computer science (four-year B. Sc. degree).
Hope this helps,
> doubt it... :(
> I will know the results on 10th December... good vibes and thoughts are
> welcome...
Hi there,
I'm from Croatia. I learned English through movies
and reading. I've never lived in any anglophone country.
Took the test this September; I didn't prepare the test at all
(except browsing through a sample test [IELTS specimen] for two
hours in the night immediately before the test), so naturally I didn't
expect too much from it in terms of results - I already allotted/planned
the next test date for a second try.
On the flippant side, I believe this strategy (giving myself a second,
fallback "comfort" date) gave me some psychological air and boosted
my overall confidence on this test.
During the test, I was maximally focused. Exercising (physically) a day
before the test helped, as did a cup of good cappuccino 15 minutes
before the test, which commenced at 9:00 in the morning.
Listening section - wasn't too difficult, but you really have to be very
focused, because if you're not, you miss a word or a part of sentence, and
since
it's a one-time shot (they don't rewind the tape), you lose points.
Got grade 8 here. Recommendation: be super-focused. Don't go to a night
club playing loud music for at least several days before the test.
Reading - wasn't too difficult. It was a matter of reading the passages
carefully first (so that you understand what it's all about), then going to
the question section, then looking up for the answers in the text for
each question. Got maximum grade 9 here. Recommendations: read
and understand the gist of the text first. Then look up answers for each
of the questions as you solve them one by one.
Writing - wasn't so bad. However time is extremely critical here.
On the first written task, I did well, and word count was within given
limits.
However I lost too much time on this first task, so my word count
on the second, longer task was somewhat below the limit (I think
200 out of 250). Got 7.5 here. Recommendation: be aware time is
extremely critical here. Write directly on the given answer paper,
don't make a draft first on a separate scratch paper. (However,
your mileage may vary - make a draft first if you're more comfortable
with that.)
Speaking - I was totally confused here, since I didn't listen to the
CD that I received with the specimen. I listened to the specimen CD after
the test, so it turns out that this "speaking" section is highly
stereotypic, meaning the examiner always asks you the same
set of questions: what is your name? where do you come from?
can you tell me more about your city? and so on. After a relatively
bad start, I "recovered" later on in the second half of this section.
I tried to used as many adjectives as possible, and compose
grammatically correct structures in my head before I utter them.
So be advised to listen to a sample CD before the test, this way
you know what questions will be asked. Got 7.5 here.
All in all, I got general grade of 8 (out of 9). I was pretty anxious
after the test; I was sure I did less then very good. However it turned out
that,
according to IELTS, I am a "fluent" speaker! You can judge (or
at least estimate) my fluency by this message - I've written it in a
heartbeat, with no correction or subsequent inspection. My background
is mathematics and computer science (four-year B. Sc. degree).
Hope this helps,
Dec 7th 2004, 7:13 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 47
Re: Ielts
Hi there,
Athena - if the worst comes to the worst (which I'm sure it won't by the way) can't you arrange to sit a subsequent test or do you only get one shot at it?
Sending good vibes your way in any case.
Athena - if the worst comes to the worst (which I'm sure it won't by the way) can't you arrange to sit a subsequent test or do you only get one shot at it?
Sending good vibes your way in any case.
Dec 8th 2004, 6:00 am
#8
Raindancer
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 100
Re: Ielts
Originally Posted by heading_downunder
Hi there,
Athena - if the worst comes to the worst (which I'm sure it won't by the way) can't you arrange to sit a subsequent test or do you only get one shot at it?
Sending good vibes your way in any case.
Athena - if the worst comes to the worst (which I'm sure it won't by the way) can't you arrange to sit a subsequent test or do you only get one shot at it?
Sending good vibes your way in any case.
Thanks for the good vibes
!I won't be able to arrange another test, as I have to submit all my docs within 3rd January, and even if I were allowed by my CO to take the IELTS test again, I would need to wait for three months
... so this is my one occasion. If I get 6 in all sections I'll be alright, but if I don't, I just hope my case officer awards me at least 15 points... it would be really depressing if I didn't get the visa, just because I failed one portion of a test
...
Dec 10th 2004, 2:50 am
#9
Raindancer
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 100
Re: Ielts
I just came back from the British Council... and I made it!!! I can't believe it!!! I was sure I had made a mess with the writing part, but clearly the examiners didn't think so...
Here are the results:
Listening: 8
Reading: 7.5
Writing: 7
Speaking: 8
Overall: 7.5
I really can't believe it...
I also went for the meds today and everything was OK, except that they found some blood in my urines, so I have to go again on Monday and see.
For now I'm happy
Thank you for all your good vibes, they did help!!!!
Here are the results:
Listening: 8
Reading: 7.5
Writing: 7
Speaking: 8
Overall: 7.5
I really can't believe it...
I also went for the meds today and everything was OK, except that they found some blood in my urines, so I have to go again on Monday and see.
For now I'm happy
Thank you for all your good vibes, they did help!!!!
Dec 10th 2004, 4:44 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
Re: Ielts
Originally Posted by Ks
> I only hope I can get at least 6 out of 9 in each section... but I
> doubt it...
> I will know the results on 10th December... good vibes and thoughts are
> welcome...
Hi there,
I'm from Croatia. I learned English through movies
and reading. I've never lived in any anglophone country.
Took the test this September; I didn't prepare the test at all
(except browsing through a sample test [IELTS specimen] for two
hours in the night immediately before the test), so naturally I didn't
expect too much from it in terms of results - I already allotted/planned
the next test date for a second try.
On the flippant side, I believe this strategy (giving myself a second,
fallback "comfort" date) gave me some psychological air and boosted
my overall confidence on this test.
During the test, I was maximally focused. Exercising (physically) a day
before the test helped, as did a cup of good cappuccino 15 minutes
before the test, which commenced at 9:00 in the morning.
Listening section - wasn't too difficult, but you really have to be very
focused, because if you're not, you miss a word or a part of sentence, and
since
it's a one-time shot (they don't rewind the tape), you lose points.
Got grade 8 here. Recommendation: be super-focused. Don't go to a night
club playing loud music for at least several days before the test.
Reading - wasn't too difficult. It was a matter of reading the passages
carefully first (so that you understand what it's all about), then going to
the question section, then looking up for the answers in the text for
each question. Got maximum grade 9 here. Recommendations: read
and understand the gist of the text first. Then look up answers for each
of the questions as you solve them one by one.
Writing - wasn't so bad. However time is extremely critical here.
On the first written task, I did well, and word count was within given
limits.
However I lost too much time on this first task, so my word count
on the second, longer task was somewhat below the limit (I think
200 out of 250). Got 7.5 here. Recommendation: be aware time is
extremely critical here. Write directly on the given answer paper,
don't make a draft first on a separate scratch paper. (However,
your mileage may vary - make a draft first if you're more comfortable
with that.)
Speaking - I was totally confused here, since I didn't listen to the
CD that I received with the specimen. I listened to the specimen CD after
the test, so it turns out that this "speaking" section is highly
stereotypic, meaning the examiner always asks you the same
set of questions: what is your name? where do you come from?
can you tell me more about your city? and so on. After a relatively
bad start, I "recovered" later on in the second half of this section.
I tried to used as many adjectives as possible, and compose
grammatically correct structures in my head before I utter them.
So be advised to listen to a sample CD before the test, this way
you know what questions will be asked. Got 7.5 here.
All in all, I got general grade of 8 (out of 9). I was pretty anxious
after the test; I was sure I did less then very good. However it turned out
that,
according to IELTS, I am a "fluent" speaker! You can judge (or
at least estimate) my fluency by this message - I've written it in a
heartbeat, with no correction or subsequent inspection. My background
is mathematics and computer science (four-year B. Sc. degree).
Hope this helps,
> doubt it...
> I will know the results on 10th December... good vibes and thoughts are
> welcome...
Hi there,
I'm from Croatia. I learned English through movies
and reading. I've never lived in any anglophone country.
Took the test this September; I didn't prepare the test at all
(except browsing through a sample test [IELTS specimen] for two
hours in the night immediately before the test), so naturally I didn't
expect too much from it in terms of results - I already allotted/planned
the next test date for a second try.
On the flippant side, I believe this strategy (giving myself a second,
fallback "comfort" date) gave me some psychological air and boosted
my overall confidence on this test.
During the test, I was maximally focused. Exercising (physically) a day
before the test helped, as did a cup of good cappuccino 15 minutes
before the test, which commenced at 9:00 in the morning.
Listening section - wasn't too difficult, but you really have to be very
focused, because if you're not, you miss a word or a part of sentence, and
since
it's a one-time shot (they don't rewind the tape), you lose points.
Got grade 8 here. Recommendation: be super-focused. Don't go to a night
club playing loud music for at least several days before the test.
Reading - wasn't too difficult. It was a matter of reading the passages
carefully first (so that you understand what it's all about), then going to
the question section, then looking up for the answers in the text for
each question. Got maximum grade 9 here. Recommendations: read
and understand the gist of the text first. Then look up answers for each
of the questions as you solve them one by one.
Writing - wasn't so bad. However time is extremely critical here.
On the first written task, I did well, and word count was within given
limits.
However I lost too much time on this first task, so my word count
on the second, longer task was somewhat below the limit (I think
200 out of 250). Got 7.5 here. Recommendation: be aware time is
extremely critical here. Write directly on the given answer paper,
don't make a draft first on a separate scratch paper. (However,
your mileage may vary - make a draft first if you're more comfortable
with that.)
Speaking - I was totally confused here, since I didn't listen to the
CD that I received with the specimen. I listened to the specimen CD after
the test, so it turns out that this "speaking" section is highly
stereotypic, meaning the examiner always asks you the same
set of questions: what is your name? where do you come from?
can you tell me more about your city? and so on. After a relatively
bad start, I "recovered" later on in the second half of this section.
I tried to used as many adjectives as possible, and compose
grammatically correct structures in my head before I utter them.
So be advised to listen to a sample CD before the test, this way
you know what questions will be asked. Got 7.5 here.
All in all, I got general grade of 8 (out of 9). I was pretty anxious
after the test; I was sure I did less then very good. However it turned out
that,
according to IELTS, I am a "fluent" speaker! You can judge (or
at least estimate) my fluency by this message - I've written it in a
heartbeat, with no correction or subsequent inspection. My background
is mathematics and computer science (four-year B. Sc. degree).
Hope this helps,
Dec 10th 2004, 8:15 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 47
Re: Ielts
That is great news Athena. I'm glad the good vibes got through to you.
I had my meds done last month and a couple of days ago I got a letter from the clearing unit in Sydney saying that they want me to to re-do my x-rays. I am hoping it is just DIMIA being their usual pedantic selves.
Good luck with your meds.
I had my meds done last month and a couple of days ago I got a letter from the clearing unit in Sydney saying that they want me to to re-do my x-rays. I am hoping it is just DIMIA being their usual pedantic selves.
Good luck with your meds.
Dec 11th 2004, 9:04 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ielts
"NKKK" <member28084@british_expats.com> wrote
> You can't score 7.5 in Writing or Speaking sections.. as there are no
> half marks for these sections..
I believe what you say is true. I know I scored 7.5 in one section,
however I don't have the scores at hand right now. Cheers.
> You can't score 7.5 in Writing or Speaking sections.. as there are no
> half marks for these sections..
I believe what you say is true. I know I scored 7.5 in one section,
however I don't have the scores at hand right now. Cheers.
Dec 12th 2004, 9:26 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 43
Re: Ielts
[QUOTE=Athena]I just came back from the British Council... and I made it!!! I can't believe it!!! I was sure I had made a mess with the writing part, but clearly the examiners didn't think so...
WOW!!! the assessment goes really quick at British Council/Italy - how nice for you!
I am glad you've made it after all...
Sincere congrats!
BrAus
WOW!!! the assessment goes really quick at British Council/Italy - how nice for you!
I am glad you've made it after all...
Sincere congrats!
BrAus
Dec 12th 2004, 9:35 am
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 43
Re: Ielts
Originally Posted by heading_downunder
That is great news Athena. I'm glad the good vibes got through to you.
I had my meds done last month and a couple of days ago I got a letter from the clearing unit in Sydney saying that they want me to to re-do my x-rays. I am hoping it is just DIMIA being their usual pedantic selves.
Good luck with your meds.
I had my meds done last month and a couple of days ago I got a letter from the clearing unit in Sydney saying that they want me to to re-do my x-rays. I am hoping it is just DIMIA being their usual pedantic selves.
Good luck with your meds.
I had the same problem, lack of quality in the x-ray film... which delayed the whole process... and it was going so well till then.
And as a plus, the name of the doctor HAS told me to re-do the exams wasn't listed (it was someone who worked at the clinic where I had my meds done!)... Until I found out where should I go it took me another couple of weeks or so...
Unfortunately, we can't do much...
Cheers
Dec 14th 2004, 5:59 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 90
Re: Ielts
Originally Posted by NKKK
You can't score 7.5 in Writing or Speaking sections.. as there are no half marks for these sections..
Congrats, Athena..
I am sure there are half marks as well, cause I scored them myself.
Regards,
PP
