[kelly]

Hi,
I‘d like to know how easy it is to get a pass mark – 7- in the IELTS. Although we're from the UK, my hubby needs the extra points for a 176 visa.

Does anyone know if it is easy or difficult?

[dusty]

Hi Kelly,

I have no personal experience of the test but I have a friend in the UK who is in the process of applying for a 175 visa. She took the test early on this year and said that it was very straightforward. Her scores averaged 8.

Here's a link to their website if you have not already got it : http://www.ielts.org

Secret of all exams is practice and don't panic!

[Cliff]

If you are a natural english speaker then you will be fine.

Do a few practice papers and get yourself familiar with the format of the test - and you will be OK. At the end of the day you can always resit it if nerves get the better of you the first time, so there is no need to panic.

[fran]

Yes it is fine, according to OH who had to take it for the same reason - needed the points.
Definitely do some practice papers first to get you in the swing of things and you will be fine.

[jimjams]

Hi,
I‘d like to know how easy it is to get a pass mark – 7- in the IELTS. Although we're from the UK, my hubby needs the extra points for a 176 visa.

Does anyone know if it is easy or difficult?

Could I clarify this please? If you're from the UK, you don't need to pass the IELTS, but, if you do, you get extra points? Is that right? Does it apply to everybody?

[PamInPerth]

Yes, you get 25 points if you score 7 or more in each of the 4 parts of the IELTS test (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) . But, as a citizen of the UK (or USA, NZ,Canada and Ireland ), you will get a default mark of only 15 points. The extra 10 points can really help, especially if age is not on your side!!

Here is the australian immigration link that explains it:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/175/eligibility-english.htm

[jimjams]

I followed your link PamInPerth, thanks. That'll teach me to read things properly. I'd already counted on getting 25 points because I thought people from the UK would automatically be rated "proficient" rather than "competent" in English. I hadn't realised I'd need to sit a test to prove it. Oh well!

[kelly]

Thanks for all your encouraging replies.

[akisan]

Hi all, newbie here.

I am from non-native english speaker country, and had done the practice material which bought from british council that is published by ielts organisation.

I can get some where around 28~30 for listening and reading. May I know it means what? can get score band of 6 or 7 easily?

I was so much worry about this as I am preparing to lodge in my pr assessment currently.

Just so much worry....:(

[dusty]

Here is a rough band IELTS convertor I found:

General Reading
Score Band
1 - 2........ 1
3 - 5 ........2
6 - 11........3
12 - 17.... .4
18 - 25......5
26 - 33.... .6
34 - 37.... .7
38 - 39.... .8
40........... 9

General Listening
Score Band
1 ........... 1
2-3......... 2
4-9......... 3
10-16...... 4
17-24...... 5
25-31...... 6
32-36...... 7
37-38 ..... 8
39-40...... 9

Fron ILETShelpnow.com (http://www.ieltshelpnow.com/free_ielts_general_training_listening_test_tutoria l.html)

[littlekoalabear]

Does anyone know how long your scores are good for? I know it is probably in the instructions but I didn't see them. Also, can you request to have scores sent at a later date should you take the test now before application?

I want to get my scores before I start applying because if I get a job offer I would like to have them out of the way. I know that some visas require that you apply then take the test or something like that. Is that right?

[scotty]

Hi,

If you are the main applicant then it looks like you have 2 years to use the test results:

"The IELTS is a test designed to assess an applicant's English language ability. It has an academic test and a general training test – you need only take the general training test unless otherwise advised by your skills assessing authority. Your test results must be from a test you sat no more than two (2) years before the day of making your application.

However, if you are using an IELTS test to show a secondary applicant’s level of English as ‘functional’, they must have sat the test no more than 12 months before you made your application."

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/175/eligibility-english.htm

[kath]

You can get extras points if you take the IELTS test. For some people (who are older for example), this makes the difference between getting enough points to qualify or not. Good news about the test - you can sit it as many times as you like which takes the pressure off having to pass it first time.

[littlekoalabear]

Alright, thanks for your help,

[Cliff]

Let us know how you get on – good luck :)