[peg]

i would like any advice going on the ielts
i have to get 7.5 in the academic one to be able to complete my professional registration
i'm irish and my first language is english but as that didn't fulfill the requirement i have to do the ielts-
i plan to do it next sat 17/1/09 and i can't afford to repeat it if don't get the required mark first time
could anyone give me advice? i have done degrees and a masters at home in ireland but am always nervous about exams!
please help!
peg

[Beetle]

Hi Peg,

Don't worry at all. :)

Last December is sat for the exam and I thought I really got messed up. But I got 6.5 Overall band score. I'm not a native English speaker. Therefore scoring 7.5 for IELTS for you will be a piece of cake. But you need to practive a lot. 10 days are enough for the preparation.

All you have to do is buy the book: Cambridge IELTS 6
http://www.cambridge.org/elt/elt_projectpage.asp?id=2501071

Practice all 4 past papers in this book. I actually used Cambridge IELTS 4 book, but better to buy the latest edition.

It's all about timing. Do all the questions within the allocated time. Do not spend too much time on a particular question. The structure of the paper you get at the real exam is almost identical to the practice papers. So there will be NO surprises at the exam. What you have to do is, practice practice practice on the above book. Believe me, you don't need anything other than that.

Additionally, try to go through the tips in the following website. I found them useful, but not mandatory.
http://www.ielts-blog.com

I wish you all the best. :nice1
/Beetle

[peg]

thanks a million
was wondering what to do as already speak, read and listen to english - living in nz at the moment!
will find the book and practice the timing
cheers
peg

[lockstock]

I fail to see why, as a native English speaker, you should have to undergo this test. You say your quals are in English etc. Have you asked why you have to take this test? Seems ridiculous - or someone has made a mistake.

[Syed]

Find some sample test peppers and just go through it.
IELTS not only test your language, but also how you use and understand it and how you prepare for this particular exam.
If you have experience taking exams, you should know exactly how to each exam differs.
Please don't miss to review past papers.

I am not native, but I took 8.5 in Speaking but in reading and writing, I had low scores. This was because I used to talk more than reading and writing

[IanW99]

I fail to see why, as a native English speaker, you should have to undergo this test. You say your quals are in English etc. Have you asked why you have to take this test? Seems ridiculous - or someone has made a mistake.

It does seem a bit stupid really, but rules have changed for some jobs e.g.

As from 1 January 2009 all internationally qualified nurses, including those from English speaking countries, will be required to complete an English language assessment for New Zealand nursing registration, with the exception of applicants from Australia, who are exempt from being required to successfully complete an English language assessment under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

No idea if this is the reason in this case?

Ian

[dilanium]

Well that's stupid!

[IanW99]

Well that's stupid!

Yep, you would think that they would need to test the Australians the most wouldn't you :exit

:D

Ian

[dilanium]

Or the kiwis themselves. I mean just reading the newspaper makes me question people's ability to write in english here.

[Achavar]

It really annoys me that due to late arrival of Police Cert, I wasn't able to forward my nursing application before 31 Dec as before this date I would not have had to have taken the IELTS test. I have now to pay £105.00 for the honour of being told I can comprehend and converse in my own language and £ 5.00 per the results to be forwarded to NZ! I have contacted a couple of the centres this week to try and book a place to sit the exam and it is so hard trying to talk to people on the phone who's first language is NOT English and they can't understand me!!!! Where's the justice in that?

[sekilau]

are you sure the ielts requirement is academic 7.5?
because it seems to be that they does not specified if it is general or academic. and it seems that the score they need is 6.5

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/8774.htm

[Achavar]

We contacted the nz nurses council, definate academic 7.5

[IanW99]

are you sure the ielts requirement is academic 7.5?
because it seems to be that they does not specified if it is general or academic. and it seems that the score they need is 6.5

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/8774.htm

Don't get confused, the IELTS score that Achavar is talking about is for getting nursing registration and NOT immigration.

These are two separate requirements.

Ian

[peg]

I fail to see why, as a native English speaker, you should have to undergo this test. You say your quals are in English etc. Have you asked why you have to take this test? Seems ridiculous - or someone has made a mistake.

I know its mad.
the person i dealt with googled it and saw that irish is first language in Ireland. i tried to explain that english main working language- to be honest i've been waiting so long to get registered (sent application in sept) i just have to suck it up and do it.
i presume that kiwis have to do english tests to go to ireland as maori is 'main' language here;)
i'm not working so will spend the week preparing for it
thanks for all replies
peg

[peg]

just sat the ielts today
thanks for all the advice
english is my fist language and one would think it should be walk in the park
i thought the speaking, listening and reading were grand- but the writing was tough. i've sat way more exams than anyone should have to in the past but yet i found it hard to stick to the time and write enough words-
fingers crossed my standards are much higher than theirs;)
i met a lady from SA who is doing it for the 5th time as she wasn't getting the needed band in reading-
if doing ielts i would say get the books and cds from the library and practice even if english is your first language
peg

[Beetle]

Hi Peg,

Great! I think you will get your results in 14 days.

Cheers!
/Beetle

[JandM]

Thanks for the update, and all good wishes for the right result.:nice1

[Achavar]

Hi Peg,
did you do ok ?, tenterhooks here , results due this w/e
Sharon & Steve

[peg]

ok, i got what i needed- i got a 9 in speaking and reading (my 2 main activities:laugh)
i got 8.5 in listening and writing - i was surprised at the listening as i had thought i got it all right but hey i needed ave 7.5 with min of 7 in each one so that has been achieved so not going to worry

i'm irish and english is my first language so i suppose i expected to do well.

as i said before i would suggest that anyone doing the ielts to get the books and cds from the library and practice as its not just knowledge and ability it is also exam technique, i found the reading fine but i read a LOT (have 4 books started at the moment) but if one isn't a fast reader it may take a bit of practice to do it in the hour

best of luck to anyone doing the ielts exam
peg

[Beetle]

Well Done! :clap

[JandM]

Congratulations! :clap

[welsh_italian]

Well done Peg! It must be nice to get it out of the way though I am still mystified as to a native English speaker needing IELTS for professional registration. I seem to remember reading that IELTS is designed specifically for non-native speakers.

[Achavar]

well done you, our next fews days will be spent waiting to mug the postie, we asked for the result over the phone- not allowed, as the test centre is over 70 miles away and a work day we have the pleasure of extending the suspense