SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore
IELTS - need advice
IELTS - need advice
Just wonder if any of you have done the IELTS test?
Just found out I need to do one in order to secure a job offer. Don't have enough time to enrol in one of the prep classes as I need to register for the next available test date (2 days from now!).
Kinda nervous as English is not my first language and it has been more than 10 years since I last sat for an exam. Any tips from someone with experience?
Thanking all in advance.
Just found out I need to do one in order to secure a job offer. Don't have enough time to enrol in one of the prep classes as I need to register for the next available test date (2 days from now!).
Kinda nervous as English is not my first language and it has been more than 10 years since I last sat for an exam. Any tips from someone with experience?
Thanking all in advance.
- the lynx
- Governor
- Posts: 5281
- Joined: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 6:29 pm
- Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location:
Re: IELTS - need advice
You can enrol for the test right away without the prep course but you will have to start cramming for the exam now! At this point of time, you only have time to study the formats of the exams and do a once-through practice to familiarise yourself.nanana wrote:Just wonder if any of you have done the IELTS test?
Just found out I need to do one in order to secure a job offer. Don't have enough time to enrol in one of the prep classes as I need to register for the next available test date (2 days from now!).
Kinda nervous as English is not my first language and it has been more than 10 years since I last sat for an exam. Any tips from someone with experience?
Thanking all in advance.
I did the same for mine. Signed up for the closest available test slots and practised with sample papers using free online materials. Good enough if you already have strong foundation in English, whether native or not.
Not possible.
as employees will need to attend a course offered by the institute, in which IELTS is one of the selection criteria.
and worst still, I'll need to fork out my own $ to pay for the test. If I fail, means no job no nothing. Hence, the stress. Argh!
Thanks lynx for the tips! yes! I've been doing that for the past few days. Not sure if it is sufficient for the band score they need. Don't think I do very well for the writing task. Can't write under pressure.

and worst still, I'll need to fork out my own $ to pay for the test. If I fail, means no job no nothing. Hence, the stress. Argh!
Thanks lynx for the tips! yes! I've been doing that for the past few days. Not sure if it is sufficient for the band score they need. Don't think I do very well for the writing task. Can't write under pressure.
- rajagainstthemachine
- Manager
- Posts: 2856
- Joined: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:45 am
- Location: Singapore
I fixed your sentence structure somewhat.Wd40 wrote:OP, from the way you have written, dont worry, you dont need any prep, you will easily get a 7 atleast, you might even get an 8
I had attended the test long ago and its pretty easy, no need of any prep unless you are targeting the max score.
Dear Original Poster [OP],
Judging from your post, don't worry, you do not need much preparation, you might get a score of seven quite easily or even get an eight.
I had attempted the test a long time ago and it's pretty easy,there is no need for any preparation unless you are targeting the max score.
So, WD40 are you suggesting OP that this person attempt this test without any prior preparation? It's rather foolhardy to do that don't you think?
In my opinion it is always necessary to prepare well before any exam.
@OP, I would suggest looking at some sample exam questions online and possibly from youtube even? There are plenty of tutorials which may be able to help you.
To get there early is on time and showing up on time is late
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39766
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
- the lynx
- Governor
- Posts: 5281
- Joined: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 6:29 pm
- Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location:
Some institutes require you to take their prep course for their IELTS test, but some don't. Look for those, unless the company you're applying for insists that you have your IELTS from their approved institutes (which I am not surprised honestly, because there is risk of certificate/diploma buying if this thing goes unregulated).nanana wrote:Not possible.as employees will need to attend a course offered by the institute, in which IELTS is one of the selection criteria.
and worst still, I'll need to fork out my own $ to pay for the test. If I fail, means no job no nothing. Hence, the stress. Argh!
Thanks lynx for the tips! yes! I've been doing that for the past few days. Not sure if it is sufficient for the band score they need. Don't think I do very well for the writing task. Can't write under pressure.
I am not telling him not to prepare. Read my response again. I am telling him there is "no need" to prepare. Its a test of English skills and and I have attended that test and with my skills I got a 7 without preparation. Its ofcourse his choice to prepare or not to prepare. He was asking for opinions and I gave mine.rajagainstthemachine wrote:I fixed your sentence structure somewhat.Wd40 wrote:OP, from the way you have written, dont worry, you dont need any prep, you will easily get a 7 atleast, you might even get an 8
I had attended the test long ago and its pretty easy, no need of any prep unless you are targeting the max score.
Dear Original Poster [OP],
Judging from your post, don't worry, you do not need much preparation, you might get a score of seven quite easily or even get an eight.
I had attempted the test a long time ago and it's pretty easy,there is no need for any preparation unless you are targeting the max score.
So, WD40 are you suggesting OP that this person attempt this test without any prior preparation? It's rather foolhardy to do that don't you think?
In my opinion it is always necessary to prepare well before any exam.
@OP, I would suggest looking at some sample exam questions online and possibly from youtube even? There are plenty of tutorials which may be able to help you.
- rajagainstthemachine
- Manager
- Posts: 2856
- Joined: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:45 am
- Location: Singapore
pardon me, but it did sound like you were telling him not to prepare, unless I read your sentence wrong.Wd40 wrote:I am not telling him not to prepare. Read my response again. I am telling him there is "no need" to prepare. Its a test of English skills and and I have attended that test and with my skills I got a 7 without preparation. Its ofcourse his choice to prepare or not to prepare. He was asking for opinions and I gave mine.rajagainstthemachine wrote:I fixed your sentence structure somewhat.Wd40 wrote:OP, from the way you have written, dont worry, you dont need any prep, you will easily get a 7 atleast, you might even get an 8
I had attended the test long ago and its pretty easy, no need of any prep unless you are targeting the max score.
Dear Original Poster [OP],
Judging from your post, don't worry, you do not need much preparation, you might get a score of seven quite easily or even get an eight.
I had attempted the test a long time ago and it's pretty easy,there is no need for any preparation unless you are targeting the max score.
So, WD40 are you suggesting OP that this person attempt this test without any prior preparation? It's rather foolhardy to do that don't you think?
In my opinion it is always necessary to prepare well before any exam.
@OP, I would suggest looking at some sample exam questions online and possibly from youtube even? There are plenty of tutorials which may be able to help you.
I think I need to take this test too, perhaps!
To get there early is on time and showing up on time is late
OP, I just went for the test last January.
I'm sure you're well aware of your own language skills, and I doubt you'd have problems getting a 7 like WD40 said.
English is also a second language to me. And although I did the MCQ, listening, and speaking test pretty well (8.5 on avg)...I pretty much bombed on the writing test (5) all because I was trying to be witty on writing it.
The question was something like "how to reach success" and I had re-written the essay like 3 times in the allotted time of 40 minutes. It should have been pretty easy...in the end, I knew it wasn't good enough (grammar wise is probably okay, but the plot written and some of the language used was pretty bullsh*t and a lot of slangs in the end)
In short, I don't think you'd have trouble with the three too, but practice your writing/thinking what to write on the spot. I had procrastinated on practicing unfortunately
I'm sure you're well aware of your own language skills, and I doubt you'd have problems getting a 7 like WD40 said.
English is also a second language to me. And although I did the MCQ, listening, and speaking test pretty well (8.5 on avg)...I pretty much bombed on the writing test (5) all because I was trying to be witty on writing it.
The question was something like "how to reach success" and I had re-written the essay like 3 times in the allotted time of 40 minutes. It should have been pretty easy...in the end, I knew it wasn't good enough (grammar wise is probably okay, but the plot written and some of the language used was pretty bullsh*t and a lot of slangs in the end)
In short, I don't think you'd have trouble with the three too, but practice your writing/thinking what to write on the spot. I had procrastinated on practicing unfortunately

My thread...The Weekenders If you need my e-mail address, it's in the first post of the thread.
Re: IELTS - need advice
Just curious, is this job offer for a company in Australia or NZ? I have never heard of a Singaporean company ever asking for IELTS. I know Australia and NZ ask for it, for education, job and even PR application.nanana wrote:Just wonder if any of you have done the IELTS test?
Just found out I need to do one in order to secure a job offer. Don't have enough time to enrol in one of the prep classes as I need to register for the next available test date (2 days from now!).
Kinda nervous as English is not my first language and it has been more than 10 years since I last sat for an exam. Any tips from someone with experience?
Thanking all in advance.
thank you all for your input. and thanks to akimbo for your tips. did a few of the practice tests. think I might have problem with the reading section too. gosh! that is just so much to read for such a short time.
wd40: aust/nz company?! I WISH! no...it is only a local company...and get this...the position is kindergarten english teacher. YUP! kindergarten... but i have no choice. Just have to go through this as I have been job hunting for more than a year now. kinda desperate.
anyway, the test is TOMORROW (and friday for speaking test)! wish me luck! will report back to you guys once all is over. definitely need a drink after that. anyone?
wd40: aust/nz company?! I WISH! no...it is only a local company...and get this...the position is kindergarten english teacher. YUP! kindergarten... but i have no choice. Just have to go through this as I have been job hunting for more than a year now. kinda desperate.
anyway, the test is TOMORROW (and friday for speaking test)! wish me luck! will report back to you guys once all is over. definitely need a drink after that. anyone?
Buy me a pint of lager after you aced it nanana, we'll drink to ya! 

My thread...The Weekenders If you need my e-mail address, it's in the first post of the thread.
- rajagainstthemachine
- Manager
- Posts: 2856
- Joined: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:45 am
- Location: Singapore
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 0 Replies
- 2264 Views
-
Last post by 236243035
Sat, 08 Feb 2020 5:43 pm
-
-
Need advice on removing dry contact lens..
by shiranaihito » Sat, 24 Feb 2018 10:46 pm » in Beauty, Health & Fitness - 5 Replies
- 4929 Views
-
Last post by Lisafuller
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 1:52 pm
-
-
-
Need advice - where to live? Work in Sci Park
by Siana » Sun, 25 Feb 2018 1:57 pm » in Property Talk, Housing & Rental - 0 Replies
- 1550 Views
-
Last post by Siana
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 1:57 pm
-
-
-
Need advice, landlady is ignorance trying to be funny
by szszz » Sun, 25 Feb 2018 9:03 pm » in Property Talk, Housing & Rental - 3 Replies
- 2016 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Thu, 01 Mar 2018 9:47 am
-
-
-
Need advice on citizenship
by justin123 » Sun, 01 Apr 2018 6:46 pm » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 7 Replies
- 3624 Views
-
Last post by sundaymorningstaple
Mon, 01 Jul 2019 1:07 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 49 guests