Numptyhead

Have just opened my post and found that I passed the IELTS Test.

It was not difficult but was tricky...so I was a little nervous about the result....I'm lying actually......I was well worried and had visions that maybe I was not clever enough for NZ...lol!

Well thats No.1 hurdle completed of....oh....must be 50 yet to go!

Very happy bunny today!

BEVS

IELTS karma Numphtyhead. or however it is speilled.

Perry Groves

Tricky, a bit worried now, as missus needs to take it. Any tips?

bevissa65

Hi Perry I took IELTS last month, I had to do the academic test. There are 4 sections: listening, reading, writing and talking. The listening was dead easy, you listen to someone talking and answer questions in a booklet as the talking goes on. They give you loads of time and the questions are simple. The reading was trickier-you read a few paragraphs on a subject then answer questions about it. The questions are worded so its not obvious straight away what the answer is but read through the relevant section again and it will become clearer. Again there is quite a lot of time allowed. I think there were 3 sections to it. Writing involved looking at a chart on some obsure subject (I had 4 types of sport played in a country over 20 years!!!) and you had to write 150 words on what information the chart gave you EG. what sport had increased participation over the years blah blah blah, then there was a statement and I had to write 250 words about this statement arguing both sides. It was something about indiginous people taking money from tourists and showing off their culture and traditions and did I think they were selling themselves out!! That wasn't too bad. I found the worst part the talking (yes, I know I shouldn't have a problem being female!!) but I don't do well at interviews and get tongue-tied. That was one-to-one and I was asked questions on things I know very little about like do I believe children should be rewarded for good behaviour at school! Why do I think the violence in this country is increasing, are people less tolerant etc. The lady taking the test wrote down for me to speak in longish sentences!! So tell the missus not to worry and think about what she is saying. I also had to speak on a subject for 2 minutes (long time!!) the subject I had was a sports event I took part in at school. I'm 44 and can barely remember school after going through very good late teen and twenties drinking!! She will be fine cos if I passed 8.5 out of 9 I'm damm sure she will! Good luck, Bevissa

Numptyhead

Hi Perry
Bevissa has explained it perfectly. I also found the reading section the trickiest....but only for the reasons she also explained. I needed to really concentrate and the subject matter didn't aid this at all...something about Alaska's fishing quota etc. I'm sure it floats some people's boat...not mine...let me tell ya!

There are some examples online and it would be well worth her practising this section.

Good Luck
Maria

forshy

Hi everyone, Im new here and despite having 3 degrees i failed the reading section by .5 of a mark.....gutted and very embarrased, like most I didnt feel that I needed to look at the practice materials!
As the nursing council in NZ need all sections at 7 and above I now have to retake it! this time i will definaltey look over some past papers just to make sure!
gutted
alison

Numptyhead

Hi Alison

Firstly welcome onboard!

Sorry to hear about you failing the paper....what a bummer...by 0.5

Have you put in to retake it?

When I was researching the test I read somewhere that the trick is not to actually read the whole article but to go straight to the questions and then search the article for the answers. I did it this way. Also never to leave a question unanswered...guess if necessary. No lost marks for wrong answers and a 25% chance of getting it right.

Where are you hoping to go in NZ and when?

Maria

forshy

Hi Maria,

We were originally planning oct and I had a nurse specialist post lined up but it felt tooo soon really! We then took stock and decided to go over first and then let the location decided the job rather than vice versa, hence we now plan to hire a motor home in late oct/nov and find our place. This will allow us to then activate our visas come home and plan whats happening with the house and sort out the pooch!
My girls are nearly 5 and 6 and i have just finished my advanced practice MSc and currently taking NMP exams so i feel under alot of pressure at the mo, hence failing the ielts!
Ive booked in to do it again but cannot do it until july ( i have asked also for a cancellation if possible) you can have a remark but it takes 6 weeks and is £60 ( such a con). Therefore now our agent is putting us through for EOi so hopefully should all begin to move soon.
where are you up to?
Alison

Numptyhead

Hi again

We are at the very beginning. Passed the IELTS, now waiting for references and Police check to come back so I can apply for my NZ Registration. Once that is through I will apply for a job and put in my EOI.

Well done on gaining your MSc and good luck with the exams...you have put an awful lot of pressure on yourself.

Its so hard to pick a place to live without going over there. Although we could really do with saving the money, we too are thinking of doing a trip over in Oct this year. It depends where in the process we will be by then. We ultimately want a farmlet so are looking to go fairly rural. For some reason Wairarapa is singing out to me and I have no idea why

We have one daughter (13yrs) at home and the move would be best for her next Jan/Feb when she would be due to start Senior School (College)

So many things to think about at the moment.

£60 for the retake.....thats so bad!

marie22

Hi Alison,
I took the IELTS on Saturday in Plymouth and I found the reading section difficult as I read too much into it and I think I may have failed. I am a nurse also so a level 7 is a must. I feel a bit glum about it
How long did your results take?
Marie

Numptyhead

Hi Marie

The IELTS result is posted out on the 13th day following the test.

All the best of luck

Maria

Immihopeful

The laugh of it is most born and bred Kiwis would not pass the IELTS at any decent level as they are not competant enough in pronouncing proper English

blackburn lass

Not quite understanding the ELTS test thing. If you live in the UK with a British passport do you need to take the test or what???? It's not very clear on the EOI form......and I'm getting stressed!!!!

Dawn

forshy

Hi Dawn,

I have to take it as the nursing council of NZ now insist that every nurse applying has passed level 7 in every section - despite nationality uni etc!
I believe it also gives you some extra points if you need them for your eoi?????
its a hoop we have to jump through!
alison

forshy

they were pretty quick marie really, its the resit that's the problem as everyone is registering to start the sept semester at uni from other countries so thats the pressure. However, its a con as a re-mark of the paper takes 6 weeks so i have just re applied hoping for a cancellation.
take care though marie, and let me know how you get on. Also what kind of nurse are you and where you going too?
alison