ronelk Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 Can you take the test more than once to improve your score? I need 8 in all the categories to make up points. What is the average score? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepFriedMatt Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 Yes, there is no limit to how many times you can take the test (if you are willing to pay roughly R2.5k per attempt). So you can do it more than once if you want to improve your score. Some people need to do the academic test for their skills assessment but then do the general test to get a higher school for the EOI (as the general test is meant to be easier)I'm not sure what an average score would be, I guess it depends a lot on the individual's English ability and whether it is the general or academic test. I would say though that if English is your first language or if you are fluent in English as a second language then it would not be difficult to get around 7 mark. Just a guess of mine though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 I know of two people that have done the IELTS 9 times to get higher scores. The amount of times you do it is dependent on how much cash you're willing to throw at it to get the extra points. Getting 8's across all four bands in the general test will get you the maximum number of points for English language ability on the EOI. I would say that 7 is around the average score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markl41 Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 The guys are 100% correct, it boils down to the points you need and the amount of cash you want to burn.I personally took the test 5 times to achieve 8's across the board and the average seems to be 7's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich1203 Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Hi there guys what do you guys mean by writing the academic test and then writing the general to improve your score. Won't that affect your application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Some skills assessment authorities require you to write the academic IELTS which is meant to be harder than the general one and most of the time you only need to score 6 and above or get an average score of 6 and above. For the visa application itself you have to score a minimum of 6 in each band (DIBP take the lowest score of the four and use that to determine your English competency) and you only need to write the general test. Scoring 8 in each band will give you the maximum number of points which is 15 I think. You can also write the test as many times as you want but I think you need to do this before you actually submit your EOI. I don't think you can change it once submitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Is there a practice test you can take to see what score you might get? Just curious what I'd get, because I didn't have to do it. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dowsieboi Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Was actually just about to start a topic just like this I'm in a similar situation where I've now spoken to the Migrate2Oz people and they evaluated my skills to see how many points I can get. Apparently I'll need to get the maximum points in the IELTS test in order to get 65 points overall. Turns out I need another 2.5 years of work experience to claim points there So I was actually going to ask how difficult it is to get a score of 8 across the board? In terms of my current English ability, English is my only language and so all schooling and university was done in English. At most I think I'd be nervous on the day and end up stuttering when it comes to reading out aloud or the general discussion with the marker. The usual nerves I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Unfortunately the only way to know what you are going to get is to actually take the test. All the written tests get marked and then sent to Cambridge University for evaluation to make sure that they have been marked correctly and they then issue the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dowsieboi Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Unfortunately the only way to know what you are going to get is to actually take the test. All the written tests get marked and then sent to Cambridge University for evaluation to make sure that they have been marked correctly and they then issue the results.Thanks. Looks like I'm just going to have to give it a go then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTMI Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 If you do a search there are some online practice tests, you can get a suggested score on some of the stages with some of these tests. There are also some other English tests to be added around November which may suit some people. I'm travelling in RSA at the moment and don't have my fingers to the links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 The reading is a written test. The only speaking is done in the speaking exam. Babbling incessantly doesn't appear to be a problem there - at least it didn't affect my score 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dowsieboi Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Well I'm now booked for 1 November in Johannesburg Those tests booked out quickly though :| I checked last night and was filling it in this morning and I was still able to book for 20 September. It then wanted a scanned copy of your ID so I figured I'd just do it at work. Get to work, scan everything in and start the application again and it was booked out till November >.< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCT Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Try Scott's English, its about R450 for 4 practise tests for each discipline, with extensive notes on each section as well. Well worth the money spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Yesterday I drove behind a car with advertising all over it 'IELTS coaching Brisbane' . So seems you can get coaching here. Thought that was interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maligso Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Go for a lesson it is worth it, especially for the written part. Format and struture is very important and rather be prepared. As far as I am aware average score doesn't count for anything. Go for a lesson it is worth it, especially for the written part. Format and struture is very important and rather be prepared. As far as I am aware average score doesn't count for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neels Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 I was lucky earlier this year. Decided in Feb this year to take the IELTS so long, got appointment for April 5th. I got a band score of 8!!. And I am as "boertjie" as you get. I did a couple of the online tests. But the secret is to be fully relaxed, read and understand what they ask, take your time and use all the time you get.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronelk Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Sorry if this has been asked before, but how long are the results valid for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dowsieboi Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Sorry if this has been asked before, but how long are the results valid for? When I checked it said 2 years I was lucky earlier this year. Decided in Feb this year to take the IELTS so long, got appointment for April 5th. I got a band score of 8!!. And I am as "boertjie" as you get. I did a couple of the online tests. But the secret is to be fully relaxed, read and understand what they ask, take your time and use all the time you get..Well that's encouraging I've been trying to do some research on it because I think it's probably a very common mistake for English speaking people to underestimate it. So basic things like not answering the question the "correct way" and just end up losing points for silly mistakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 I was lucky earlier this year. Decided in Feb this year to take the IELTS so long, got appointment for April 5th. I got a band score of 8!!. And I am as "boertjie" as you get. I did a couple of the online tests. But the secret is to be fully relaxed, read and understand what they ask, take your time and use all the time you get..I think the secret IS to be fully relaxed. I know my Afrikaans improves 100% after a bottle of wine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 My Afrikaans is most excellent after a few drinks too B, I sound like Riaan Cruywagen, lolol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I sound like Liewe Heksie!Not really. More Carike Keuzenkamp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Eisch, I hope without the funky hairdo! LOLWhen I finally get my ass over to Brissie, do we have a date to go out? we make a social event, Ill cook, and you and yours suip. Deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Eisch, I hope without the funky hairdo! LOLWhen I finally get my ass over to Brissie, do we have a date to go out? we make a social event, Ill cook, and you and yours suip. Deal?My husband will agree that first thing in the morning the hair is more L.H than C.K haha. Yes of course, when you come to Brissie we will have a gatho 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Done deal, look forward to it!You both partial to a bit of grape juice? fermented of course! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.