Competency Assessment Service - Queensland, Australia

meki_urameshi · Mar 13, 2009

For the IELTS, practice, practice, practice. As you keep on digesting articles and paragraphs and passages, soon, you will realize that your eyes and mind become more comfortable to locating keywords, action phrases, and important notions in the things that you read. This is what really counts in the reading part of the test.

For the listening, I found it helpful to tune in to BBC world. Not only does it make you more accustomed to their accent, but they update you with the different issues of our world, which might be helpful for your writing.

As for the writing, determine what type of information is presented in the first task. Study the data, the illustration, the chart given. Rewrite the caption of the task in your own words. Then note down the extremes, the general trend, and then relate it to the topic of the task. Finally, conclude by extrapolating. Look at the bigger picture depicted by your trends and correlations. For the second task, it is important that you site your pros and cons. Give examples for the two sides of the coin. And then write your conclusion by stating the heaviest implications of your pros and cons.

For the speaking, it is helpful that you transcend your ideas smoothly with the use of conjunctions. Expand your ideas and make them more interesting with the use of examples and experiences, the big deduction is given to you if your replies are made dull by short responses. When you can't think, breathe deeply. It's the fastest way to relax. The assessor does not demerit you for the seconds (but do only keep it to seconds) you spend in pulling out an example or idea at the back of your mind.

God Bless to all our endeavors. May all our dreams come true. ^_^ v

bluberry · Mar 13, 2009

for meki... this is indeed a very helpful tip! :yeah:thanks!

Phoenix_Rising · Mar 13, 2009

I guess we should now go back to the original goal of this forum, which is to share information and help each other reach our dreams of working in Australia.

One thing I would like to ask about the exam is: is it done on paper, or is it just like the NCLEX where it is computer-based? I am studying for the Part A right now, and juggling it with my hospital duties. I really hope to pass the CAS exams and become registered in Australia. I have turned down an agency's offer to work in Canada, because it has always been my cherished dream to go to Australia.

I hope that I made the right decision. It really is a gamble, if you think about it. I sure hope that with hard work and determination, the gamble will pay off.

branyan · Mar 13, 2009

Mr. Joeturtle": Ah...I know why I can't send private messages. It says I am not allowed. Why is that?

I think you must reach a certain number of posts before you can send private messages.

cvekowalska · Mar 14, 2009

One thing I would like to ask about the exam is: is it done on paper, or is it just like the NCLEX where it is computer-based? I am studying for the Part A right now, and juggling it with my hospital duties. I really hope to pass the CAS exams and become registered in Australia. I have turned down an agency's offer to work in Canada, because it has always been my cherished dream to go to Australia.

The exam is usually done on a pen and paper mode. From what I can say the concepts are totally different from NCLEX, there might some similarities in terms of presentation. My best advise is there is a need to study the recommeded books by CAS thoroughly and when you sit for the exam, everything will just work out fine for you. Do not hurry sitting for the exam when you are not prepared. Those who usually fail are the one that hurries a lot.

angel_prias · Mar 14, 2009

One thing I would like to ask about the exam is: is it done on paper, or is it just like the NCLEX where it is computer-based? I am studying for the Part A right now, and juggling it with my hospital duties. I really hope to pass the CAS exams and become registered in Australia. I have turned down an agency's offer to work in Canada, because it has always been my cherished dream to go to Australia.
The exam is usually done on a pen and paper mode. From what I can say the concepts are totally different from NCLEX, there might some similarities in terms of presentation. My best advise is there is a need to study the recommeded books by CAS thoroughly and when you sit for the exam, everything will just work out fine for you. Do not hurry sitting for the exam when you are not prepared. Those who usually fail are the one that hurries a lot.

Hi ckowalska! Do you recommend taking up nclex review classes? Would that be necessary? Thanks for the reply in advance. =)

cvekowalska · Mar 15, 2009

Hi ckowalska! Do you recommend taking up nclex review classes? Would that be necessary? Thanks for the reply in advance. =)

Good afternoon Angel. As far as I can remember the last part of the examination will deal only with a basic entry level qualification of a registered nurse, that will for sure refer to Fundamentals of Nursing. You can use a lot of references for that like, Potter and Perry, Barbara Kozier et.al.

This is tantamount to saying, its a totally different approach from NCLEX review.

You might be able to apply the concept of your NCLEX review on the actual clinical exam itself, but the PART A examination are totally book based, the books specifically recommended by CAS for its module.

I am fortunate to get the books recommended by CAS because when I sat for my exam, all questions seem to be book based. There were many short answer questions which need to be answered concisely. In my experience, had I not read the book, it would be barely impossible for me to answer the question.

Hope it helps. CK

angel_prias · Mar 15, 2009

Good afternoon Angel. As far as I can remember the last part of the examination will deal only with a basic entry level qualification of a registered nurse, that will for sure refer to Fundamentals of Nursing. You can use a lot of references for that like, Potter and Perry, Barbara Kozier et.al.
This is tantamount to saying, its a totally different approach from NCLEX review.
You might be able to apply the concept of your NCLEX review on the actual clinical exam itself, but the PART A examination are totally book based, the books specifically recommended by CAS for its module.
I am fortunate to get the books recommended by CAS because when I sat for my exam, all questions seem to be book based. There were many short answer questions which need to be answered concisely. In my experience, had I not read the book, it would be barely impossible for me to answer the question.
Hope it helps. CK

Wow, thanks! Such a helpful insight. :) This just saved me from shelling out additional bucks to nclex review centers. Heheh. Thanks, thanks! :saint:

punjabi · Mar 16, 2009

hi! i got 2 extra Legal Issues for nursing students: applied principles by pam savage. it focused more on nursing profession making it way better than essentials of law for health professionals by forrester. for those who are interested pm me.

my relatives from different parts of oz sent me multiple copies. my mistake.

dot_040783 · Mar 16, 2009

hi! Im new here but i've been reading the threads since last week...now, i really am confused and anxious as to what to do. I attended an orientation conducted by an agency here in Cebu RE CAS and it really is expensive if done through an agency. I want to do the application by myself, been researching and reading on how to do it, but now I'm having second thoughts because of the complexity of it all (how to fill up the forms and how to certify them properly, the medical exams, vaccinations after passing everything, and the Tests). Personally, I am not too anxious about the written exam, because with right determination and preparation, i think anyone will be able to get through it, however, I am very very very anxious about the Clinical Test or the Part B. Basically, it is like doing a return-demonstration infront of a preceptor/assesor is that right? I have had a few months of training/volunteer experience here in Cebu in a secondary level Government hospital, and public hospitals here are not that "ideal" with nursing procedures and there isn't much nursing skills/procedures to be done due to the lack of supplies and equipments and funds. In conclusion, rating my nursing skills, i would say 1 out of 10, with 10 as the highest meaning perfectly competent.

I know I have to take one step at a time, but I have to mentally prepare myself as to what will happen. Can you please tell me about this Part B? A clear picture as to what happens when you get to do it. How is it done and all? With disappearing nursing skills as time flies..I badly need a boost of confidence.

Lots of thanks.

wemon211 · Mar 16, 2009

Hey guys, thanks for this forum. I have saved it all and will read and re-read everything offline so hopefully, I can get all my questions answered. Thanks for sharing all your experiences! I'll be back with my questions, if I still have any

uh_huh? · Mar 16, 2009

hi! Im new here but i've been reading the threads since last week...now, i really am confused and anxious as to what to do. I attended an orientation conducted by an agency here in Cebu RE CAS and it really is expensive if done through an agency. I want to do the application by myself, been researching and reading on how to do it, but now I'm having second thoughts because of the complexity of it all (how to fill up the forms and how to certify them properly, the medical exams, vaccinations after passing everything, and the Tests). Personally, I am not too anxious about the written exam, because with right determination and preparation, i think anyone will be able to get through it, however, I am very very very anxious about the Clinical Test or the Part B. Basically, it is like doing a return-demonstration infront of a preceptor/assesor is that right? I have had a few months of training/volunteer experience here in Cebu in a secondary level Government hospital, and public hospitals here are not that "ideal" with nursing procedures and there isn't much nursing skills/procedures to be done due to the lack of supplies and equipments and funds. In conclusion, rating my nursing skills, i would say 1 out of 10, with 10 as the highest meaning perfectly competent.
I know I have to take one step at a time, but I have to mentally prepare myself as to what will happen. Can you please tell me about this Part B? A clear picture as to what happens when you get to do it. How is it done and all? With disappearing nursing skills as time flies..I badly need a boost of confidence.
Lots of thanks.

I feel the same way. Im soooooooooooooo anxious and paranoid about the Test B! :cry: :crying2:

I was so tempted to start a poll for nurses with no/zero/none at all experience taking TEST B. :smokin:

1. uh_huh?

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Its so overwhelming. Yeah, you are right we can learn more about this part of the test to make

us less anxious! And it hellps to know that there are other nurses who feel like we do

Anyone else who has zero experience? :yeah: