Ielts Test

suzanne4, RN · Sep 12, 2005

Welcome to Allnurses.com............

If your native language was English, then you would not need the exam. :wink2: Your writing skills need to be general writing skills, not academic. They are looking to make sure that you understadn what specifically was aksed and only answer to that. Do not offer one more bit of info, other than what was specically asked, otherwise it can be thought that you did not fully understand the question.

Most on this site have take either the IELTS series or the TOEFL, TSE, and TWE exams as they are required for any foreign trained nurse wishing to get their own visa.

My personal opinion is that the IELTS is the beter one of the two, you get to actually speak with a human for the speaking section.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 12, 2005

Welcome to Allnurses.com............

If your native language was English, then you would not need the exam. :wink2: Your writing skills need to be general writing skills, not academic. They are looking to make sure that you understand what specifically was asked and only answer to that. Do not offer one more bit of info, other than what was specifically asked, otherwise it can be thought that you did not fully understand the question.

Most on this site have take either the IELTS series or the TOEFL, TSE, and TWE exams as they are required for any foreign trained nurse wishing to get their own visa.

My personal opinion is that the IELTS is the better one of the two, you get to actually speak with a human for the speaking section.

alina_zhuang · Sep 12, 2005

Is there anyone here that has done the IELTS or any other english test?
I am taking the test next week(academic version) and I have been training a little bit.
What seems difficult is the writing task. The fact that I have to write with academic language frightens me.
And write an essay!?
I think that is hard even in my native language which is not english.
Anna

Hi, there, I didn't take IELTS but TOEFL. I didn't do a good job in Writing Section. It is not easy for me to finish an essay within 30 minutes! The timer on the computer made me nervous! I was too hurry to read the topic since I was afraid that I could not get the essay done in time. There were 2 questions in the topic, I only answered the first one. I even didn't notice there was another question there as well. Oh, mine!! I only got 4.0 in writing section! Anyway, I did pass it and don't want to retake it. Don't make the same mistake like me! I think the most important thing during the exam is to let yourself calm down and concentrate, then you will be fine! I'll keep my finger crossed for ya! Good luck!!

bottomless_appetite · Sep 12, 2005

I took my IELTS last August 13 at The Manila Mandarin. For me, the Academic writing was a little bit harder. Maybe because I am not a good writer in the first place.hehehe It was my lowest score actually. My advice to you is, have a good idea on your mind before starting to write on your test paper. Create an "idea web" first,you can make use the spaces on questionaires for that. Please answer Task2 first because it bears a lot of weight in terms of points than Task1. Please have a very good breakfast before sitting on the test, PLEASE DO NOT consume a lot of water because there wouldnt be break in between tests, if ever you need to go to the bathroom, you will be wasting some time.

On the speaking part, Just be confident, and make the conversation lively and interesting. For me, it is the easiest part. Present yourself very well, go with a good attire. (NO JEANS PLEASE). please SMILE!

Overall, IELTS is pretty Easy. Kayang kaya mo yan! hehehe :)

philrn · Sep 12, 2005

I'll be taking IELTS this December. What advise would you give on how I can prepare for it? A friend of mine took it last July and he enrolled in Kaplan for review. He got an over all band of 9. I'm also thinking of reviewing in Kaplan but I'm having second thoughts because it's very expensive.

bottomless_appetite · Sep 13, 2005

Oh okay. So December pa pala, you have an ample time to prepare for the test. Just like any other tests, The advice I can give to you before you take the IELTS is "PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE" so that when you sit on the actual test, it would not be "foreign" to you. You dont have to spend so much money and go to KAPLAN, (yes it is expensive). There are good IELTS review center around the metro. Personally, I went to H.A Cervantes in Buendia, its just above Goldilocks Restaurant in Gil Puyat LRT Station. I believe they also have a branch in Pasig. It is worth it because you are going to have a lot of exercises and tests which is quiet similar to the actual IELTS. And the review is "Kinda Unlimited". You can go and attend the lecture and use the Laboratory as long as you want. Go and check it out. A friend of mine went to a review center in front of PGH, I forgot the name of the center. He said that it was also okay. But I cannot speak for them. hehehe

pinoy_guy · Sep 13, 2005

A friend of mine went to a review center in front of PGH, I forgot the name of the center. He said that it was also okay. But I cannot speak for them. hehehe

Went there for my IELTS review. California English Language Center, 4th floor Don Santiago Building. Beside KFC, across PGH.

Excellent review, the reviewers are Brits, just like you'll hear on the Listening part.

8-day review, you essentially go through the 4 parts in a day (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).

Service very good, they'll even register your exam for you, either to IDP or BC. Just bring your passport and the payment.

The only time you have to go to IDP or BC is when you get your results in 2 weeks--this you have to do personally.

Hope this helps.

philrn · Sep 13, 2005

How much is the review? Will the review be a whole day review for 8 days or do just a half day review?

pinoy_guy · Sep 14, 2005

How much is the review?

When I had the review 2 months ago, it was P4,000 for 8 sessions. P3,500 each if you "bring a friend."

Will the review be a whole day review for 8 days or do just a half day review?

It's 9 AM to 4 or 5 PM.

9 to 9:30 Derek goes through some grammar exercises. Around 9:30 AM the review proper starts: talk/tips about each test before you do it. Lunch break between the Reading and Writing Tests. What time you finish depends on when you finish the Speaking part--each reviewee has to speak up for a minute or two.

You can go whenever you like, but I suggest going there daily until the day of your actual exam so you'll be "in the groove."

I highly recommend this review center...the reviewers are actually Brits, complete with accent and idiomatic expressions.

hael171972 · Sep 14, 2005

hi!

i took the ielts last January 10, 2004. (EDSA Shangri-la)

i did the application personally, which was travelling for 6 hours by bus (im from the northern part of the Philippines) to get to Manila.

i am currently working so i dont have time to go for a review center.

my hubby bought me materials for ielts review which includes 2 cd's (interview examples and the listening comprehension) which only cost around Php250..

luckily i PASSED...

the essay part is my lowest, i got 6.0 (which is my problem even in college days)

for the listening...i watched HARRY POTTER almost everyday!!! :lol2:

for the interview part, SMILE...feel comfortable, maintain eye contact (dont stare your eyes on the walls of the room)

avoid slang words like YAH, nope..etc..

use YES SIR, NO SIR.

sit up straight...

have a deep breath....

and again SMILE, SMILE, SMILE..

good luck!!..

Ethan_mike · Jun 6, 2006

I passed IELTS last month. Reviewed at NGRCI for 3 weeks, P5,000.

The speaking thing with a human actually MAY be an advantange but it could go against you. You cannot control what your examiner may think or perceive about your performance.

Anyhow, I got an overall 8.5 band score. My suggestions:

BBC world news - never turn it off...repeat phrases the newspeople say.

Read THE ECONOMIST Magazine. It is written in very IELTS fashion. Especially for task 1. It's full of graphs and articles.

Try to think in English. Needless to say, speak English ALL THE TIME.

PRACTICE everyday...all 4 modules...and most important, PRAY...in English.