Ielts do it on purpose?

[mike08]

Hi folks,
What do you think would be the reason why the Ielts taker didn't get a high scores?

Is it because they didn't study hard or the Ielts organization did it on purpose?

Feel free to share your ideas.
Thanks,
Mike

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm sure they just took one look at the person and did it deliberately!

And you are study for a doctorate?

[intellectualsmuse]

Hi folks,
What do you think would be the reason why the Ielts taker didn't get a high scores?

Is it because they didn't study hard or the Ielts organization did it on purpose?

Feel free to share your ideas.
Thanks,
Mike

Because the test taker did not have the proficiency required to obtain a higher score.

On a serious note if you are a test taker and need some help/ tips on improving your score you can pm me and I will try to help. A few years ago I was coaching students for the IELTS test as a part time activity.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Go to his profile and check out his first post (another thread). Then you will see the reason for my comment.

[mike08]

What I find very strange is that a significant number of candidates score their minimum requirement in 3 of the 4 bands but miss out on the fourth. Often the same thing happens again but the missed band is usually a different one.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Usually the result of cramming for exams instead of actually learning the subject matter. Hence a "minimum" pass in 3 out of 4. Are you sure you are studying for a doctorate?

[mike08]

I really don't know on what basis you conclude that the reason for people getting three out of four bands is because of cramming. If you have any evidence for that I be very interested to know.

I will ignore your personal attack on me as it is is a cheap attempt to deflect a valid point I am raising.

Moving on, when one looks at the results of someone who has done the test 15 times and who is consistently achieving three out of four bands, when his target is seven in each band, one has to be suspicious about how IELTS calculates the final scores.

Since IELTS is operated by a commercial organisation and is run for profit, I think people are entitled to know how IELTS calculates the scores are each test. Don’t you?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Did you ever think maybe they just aren't smart enough? I've heard of people who fail driving test over and over. i think the answer is obvious. Since you pointed out the commercial point then you would obviously realize that from a commercial view it would be better if more passed the exams as that would be better for business. Look a what happened to Toyota and their recall problems. Sales have plummeted in the US.

Oh, it wasn't meant as a slur. The statement wasmeant as a legitiment queston as the whole premise is based on something that sounds ludicrous.

[JR8]

Hi folks,
What do you think would be the reason why the Ielts taker didn't get a high scores?

Fancy putting that in English, as I, and I expect I am not alone, haven't got the first freaking clue what you are talking about....

[mike08]

According to your observation, there must be a lot of not very smart people around. Like 94% of candidates sitting for the IELTS test and who are aiming for a minimum of 7 in each band. What does the average Australian score? I doubt it would be 7 in each band.

By the way, I am aware of people who have sat for IELTS more than 16 or 18 times in trying to gain their minimum requirements. Each of these candidates had one or two masters.

What is being missed is that the IELTS test is a commercial product being sold as a test of one’s English proficiency. Is there any independent research backing that claim?

Soon after Seek Ltd purchased 50% of IDP Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship was convinced to change the acceptable rate for English proficiency from an average of 7, to getting a minimum of 7 in each of the four bands.

Instead of 20% of candidates obtaining an average of 7, only 4% can obtain a minimum of 7 in the four bands in one sitting.

Does anyone seriously believe that all these 96% of candidates do not have a proficiency in English?

The whole process becomes even more ridiculous when one reads the following:

A recent publication from Skills Australia, “Australian Workplace Futures”

[JR8]

According to your observation, there must be a lot of not very smart people around. Like 94% of candidates sitting for the IELTS test and who are aiming for a minimum of 7 in each band. What does the average Australian score? I doubt it would be 7 in each band.

Can I be blunt, ''Mike"? What the **** are you talking about?

No one knows what the hell 'IELTS' is. The greater world exists beyond your chinese bedroom door.

[mike08]

JR8, well other people in this Forum do know what IELTS means. However, it means International English Language Testing System.
Furthermore, Chinese has a capital "C' so show some respect, and I am an Australian living in Melbourne. Saying that, I have no problem having a Chinese bedroom door.

[Splatted]

What I find very strange is that a significant number of candidates score their minimum requirement in 3 of the 4 bands but miss out on the fourth. Often the same thing happens again but the missed band is usually a different one.

If it's the same test(s) as my wife took (through AMES).... students deliberately ask teachers to undermark them in one, so they don't lose their free (tax-payer funded) English lessons.

Students that score too high automatically forfeit the rest of their free hours.

Edit: Also, there are other courses within the system that students also take up that allows them to use up their hours. My wife received training in MYOB (a software package),.. covered by the same hours allocated to her for English lessons.

[sundaymorningstaple]

What is an average Australian?

Historically or currently?

Historically they are White Anglo-Saxon Protestants and Aboriginals. But in the last 100 years, emigration of various other Non-English speaking countries, e.g., Italians, Eastern Europeans, various Oriental and Indians make up the vast majority of the influx. This causes the overall general level of English to degenerate due primarily to the School Systems having to teach to the lowest common denominator.

Ironically, the same thing is happening here in Singapore. 30 years ago, Singapore was using native English Speakers to teach English here. Now, Singaporeans are teaching English but it's a mish-mash of Singlish and English and dog knows what all. They do well on tests but in practice it's almost intelligible.

So, no, there is nothing wrong with the tests, and everything to do with the actual knowledge of the test takers. Upping the levels is the only way to hopefully, ensure that the standard of English increases instead of it's general decline. I applaud any business that upholds it's standards. Good on 'em!

[intellectualsmuse]

[quote="mike08"]According to your observation, there must be a lot of not very smart people around. Like 94% of candidates sitting for the IELTS test and who are aiming for a minimum of 7 in each band. What does the average Australian score? I doubt it would be 7 in each band.

By the way, I am aware of people who have sat for IELTS more than 16 or 18 times in trying to gain their minimum requirements. Each of these candidates had one or two masters.

What is being missed is that the IELTS test is a commercial product being sold as a test of one’s English proficiency. Is there any independent research backing that claim?

Soon after Seek Ltd purchased 50% of IDP Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship was convinced to change the acceptable rate for English proficiency from an average of 7, to getting a minimum of 7 in each of the four bands.

Instead of 20% of candidates obtaining an average of 7, only 4% can obtain a minimum of 7 in the four bands in one sitting.

Does anyone seriously believe that all these 96% of candidates do not have a proficiency in English?

The whole process becomes even more ridiculous when one reads the following:

A recent publication from Skills Australia, “Australian Workplace Futures”