Oz Rascal

Hi guys,

I'm taking my IELTS test on the 3rd November No matter how much I read from others about how easy it is, I'm still really worried about it.

I've ordered the book from Amazon which I should have tomorrow so that may help put my mind at rest.

Wish me luck!!

Oz Rascal

charlie-k

Good Luck!!!!!!!
I haven't taken mine yet. The book is really good, there's a cd with it too,thats useful. I have been told that the trick is not to worry - ha ha
Let us all know how you get on.
Regards

Oz Rascal

Thanks Charlie.

Good Luck with your test too, when do you take it?

I know what you mean - I think the trick is to not rush it and as you said before, a lot of the questions are quite ambiguous so best to just take your time.

The thing I'm worried about the most is the writing test, I could type all day long but I was doing a practice test the other night and my hand was killing after 5 minutes :curse: I'm going to keep practising every day - feel like I'm in training.

I don't know why, but my Wife thinks I'm going to struggle with the listening test the most

Oz Rascal

charlie-k

I haven't got the date yet because my friend is taking it too and she wanted to organise it.She hasn't confirmed the date yet. I will be contacting her again today. I want to get it out of the way!
I wonder what your wife meant? Can't imagine

kurrikurri

My husband received his test results today - only a week late due to the postal strike!! Hooray, he has a score of 8 I am so proud of him, we are all jumping for joy. He needed a 7, but scored higher.

He did alot of practice, bought books and tapes.

Now we can put our application in. We are all smiling like cheshire cats!!!

Thank you for all your messages when we were worried about the test.

Bag End Bunch

Hi

Took the IELTS Academic test on 6th Oct and just received results. Managed to get 9.0 in all sections except the writing and got 8.0 on that. My average came out as a 9.0 so I'm pleased with myself.

Advice to anyone - I think the General writing test is more straight forward than the academic one so don't panic. The reading test is the hardest - probably because you don't expect it to be. Mine was all about El Nino, Interpretation and the 5 senses. Make sure you don't lose concentration on the listening test and you'll be fine. the speaking test is great. My lady laughed the whole way through as I just prattled on and on. I would recommend checking out the practise stuff online. I wish I had looked more at the writing papers. I had to interpret a table and I got myself in a right muddle trying to organise myself - if I'd practised I would have been more prepared. The second part of the writing was to give opinions on architects. I found this easier but again, wish I'd practised more. Anyway, I got through it and so will you all. The general test is more 'real life' based whereas the academic was, as you'd expect, much more cerebral!
I felt most sorry for those in the test whose first language isn't english - how they manage I don't know. (Having said that most of them seemed to be doctors in my test!)
On the day there were 4 of us aiming to emigrate to Oz. Only I was doing academic test (thanks for that OH!)

Alex

Oz Rascal

Alex,

Great news, well done you!!

I've been practicing - general test booked for 3rd November - so hopefully I won't come across any major surprises.

Oz Rascal

maccy124

I read somewhere something about having done an undergraduate degree in the uk meaning that you don't have to do the test. I'm guessing that this is complete bull. is it??

Suuz

Hi there

If you need the 25 points you have to sit the ielts test. As I read on here somewhere, doesn't matter if you are an oxford Don, you still have to sit the test if you need the points. Thankfully though it is only the general one (not academic).

sampson

Just booked up my IELTS test. I'm going to sit the test on the 1st of December at Colchester Language centre. Let the revision begin!

charlie-k

Good Luck!
I have now my test date: 3rd November Aaaaargh!!

If anyone has ideas for question on writing modules, it might be useful to share them. e.g
'Write about where you live' - look up history, poulation stats for your town etc
'Pros and cons of boarding school education' - use internet for research

Oz Rascal

Charlie K - where are you sitting the test? I'm also doing mine on the 3rd.

Oz Rascal

charlie-k

Nottingham university - and you?

Oz Rascal

I'll be down in Hendon, never mind, thought we could grab a coffee or something. Good luck mate, hope it goes well.

I bought the IELTS sample test book and most of what I've seen seems pretty general - no knowledge required or assumed - just a matter of giving your opinion and backing it up.

charlie-k

Good Luck to you too !!!!
The book is quite good isn't it? There's a useful website: www.ielts-blog.com
It has lots of example questions on it for the essay writing module. I have been practicing and now my head hurts.
Let us know how you get on.