IELTS - need advice

[nanana]

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.

[PNGMK]

Can you ask if passing probation can be conditional on passing the test? That might give you more time.

[the lynx]

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.

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.

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.

[nanana]

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.

[Wd40]

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.

[rajagainstthemachine]

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.

I fixed your sentence structure somewhat.
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.

[sundaymorningstaple]

WD40

Something about Hoists & Petards springs to mind.

[the lynx]

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.

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).

[Wd40]

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.

I fixed your sentence structure somewhat.
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 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]

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.

I fixed your sentence structure somewhat.
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 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.

pardon me, but it did sound like you were telling him not to prepare, unless I read your sentence wrong.
I think I need to take this test too, perhaps!

[Akimbo]

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

[Wd40]

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 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]

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?

[Akimbo]

Buy me a pint of lager after you aced it nanana, we'll drink to ya!

[rajagainstthemachine]

Buy me a pint of lager after you aced it nanana, we'll drink to ya!

and a gin and tonic for me