Tips on Taking IELTS for Australian Visa Purposes
Do you need to take the IELTS test for your Australian Visa? Here are some IELTS for Australian Visa tips on preparing for the English test requirements so you can apply for your visa.
Taking a test in the first place can be nerve racking, so let’s talk about how you can prepare for your English test to help take some of that tension away.
The English language certainly isn’t the easiest language to learn but we can go over tips on making it easier for you.
It starts from yourself!
First tips, how about we start on what websites you can use for IELTS practice. There are some websites that you can try to know your English capability.
Through this practice, you will get the result you desired for your Australian Visa. Practice makes perfect right?
Second tips, how do you manage your IELTS study?
How do you find time to really study as often as you need to, so you can get the band you need on each section of the IELTS, or some of the other English tests?
Well, I can give you some tips to find yourself some more time. At the end of each day, go over all the activities you did during the day, and then write that information down in a chart or timetable.
I would include the below common activities (just write down everything you did) and how long each activity took:
- Personal care (washing, eating, etc.);
- Classroom study;
- Independent study;
- TV / Internet for fun;
- Socialising;
- Exercise / sport;
- Travel;
- Chores (cleaning, laundry, etc.);
- Paid work;
- Sleep.
After doing this for a week, ask yourself these questions:
- What do you do that takes the most time out of your day, apart from classroom and independent study? How much time goes into this activity per day? Is it too much time?
- How much time is spent studying outside of the classroom? Is it going to be enough to set the band score you in for your IELTS?
- How about watching TV and being on the internet for fun, what time goes into that? Is this a reasonable amount of time per day?
- Is it possible to reduce time spent on chores, personal care or traveling?
- How long do you spend exercising or playing sports?
- Can you get distracted and do something else, when you planned on studying?
- What can you change in your routine to make more time to study?
Remember though, you don’t want to just manage your time to study. You are timed per section with the IELTS test.
They may have different times for each section but figuring out how long you have on each question should help you to finish each section. Please don’t try to go too quickly though, as this can cause you to become confused.
Leave more time for certain questions.
For example, the first set of questions you come to, will be more difficult then later ones on the same topic.
What if you have to reread an entire section to get an answer? You should leave more time for some questions than others, as some are more difficult. I bet you’re wondering what to expect on the day of the exam.
I can break down what you need to bring, the rules of the exam that you need to know and some tips on what to do on the day of the test for yourself.
The IELTS test has some components. It has four sections to the makeup of the test. Three components are always taken together on the same day, these include: Listening, Reading and Writing. The speaking section of the test can be taken on the same day, or up to seven days before or after the other components. This all depends on your testing centre.
Tips to have a successful IELTS Test.
- Arrive early
- You should definitely arrive early to take your test, to allow for time to register and get a seat. Make sure to look at your booking confirmation, as for the time and date. If you are late, you may not be allowed to take the test.
- Personal items must be checked in
- You may not take any personal belongings into the test room, the test day staff will collect them from you and store your belongings in a safe place. The items forbidden in the test area include: cell phones, hand-held computers, notes, books, scarfs, hats, cameras or wallets.
- Check for ID
- Your identification will be checked when you register to take the IELTS test. The staff member that check your ID, must see the same ID you used when you booked the test.It must not be expired and has to have a recognisable picture of you on it. The IELTS is a secure high stakes test, which uses biometric technology to verify who you are.
- This can greatly reduce your waiting time, when registering for the test. On test day they will take a picture of you to include on your Test Report Form (TRF).
- This TRF allows the organisation that you applied to, your confirmation of your test results. In some countries, we will ask for your finger scan as another way to confirm your identity. Each time you re-enter the test room (when you used the bathroom or took the speaking section of the test), all you have to do is scan your finger.
- Entering the room for the test
- A test invigilator will take you to your seat, when it is time to enter the test room. You may not speak to any of the other candidates or take notes. If you have a question, just raise your hand and a staff member will help you. All that you may have on your desk is a transparent bottle drink, your identification, pens/pencils and your easer.
- Your breaks
- You may not leave during the first 5 minutes of each section of the test nor the last 5 minutes. If you need to leave the test room during any other time, raise your hand and a staff member will assist you.
- Asking for help
- If an issue arises (for example, if you feel ill, cannot hear the instructions, or if you think you were given the wrong paper), please raise your hand to get the supervisor’s attention. Remember you will not be given help on any explanation of the questions.
- When you finish your test
- You may not leave your seat until your papers have been collected and you have been told you can do so. If you finish the test early, you must wait quietly until the test is over and are told you may leave. You may not take any notes or materials with you, they must stay on the desk.
- Collect your belongings –after the test
- Please gather your items when you leave. Your provisional results will be online after thirteen calendar days after you take the test. The official results will be on your TRF after thirteen calendar days as well. You can collect your Test Report Form at the centre you took the test, or have it posted to you. This depends on what you specified at the time of registration.
- Tips on what to do on test day:
- Be sure to eat a good breakfast, you will have hours of concentration ahead of you and in order to do well you need to eat well in the morning. You may want to bring a snack with you for after the morning tests, especially if you take the speaking section of the test the same day. You may not bring food into the test room.
- Keep track of the time. There will be a clock in the test room, but it may help to wear a watch when you take the IELTS.
- If you want to feel confident as well as make a good first impression to the examiner, start by showing up presentable. It is basically like an interview so you should act, dress, and prepare according to that standard. Please make sure you’ve showered, brushed your teeth, and dressed accordingly. I would advise you to make eye contact with the examiner, sit up straight, and engage in a casual but energetic conversation that flows naturally. While doing all this won’t ensure you a high grade, it can certainly give a good first impression.
- Tips on what to do on test day:
- Be sure to eat a good breakfast, you will have hours of concentration ahead of you and in order to do well you need to eat well in the morning. You may want to bring a snack with you for after the morning tests, especially if you take the speaking section of the test the same day. You may not bring food into the test room.
- Keep track of the time. There will be a clock in the test room, but it may help to wear a watch when you take the IELTS.
- If you want to feel confident as well as make a good first impression to the examiner, start by showing up presentable. It is basically like an interview so you should act, dress, and prepare according to that standard. Please make sure you’ve showered, brushed your teeth, and dressed accordingly. I would advise you to make eye contact with the examiner, sit up straight, and engage in a casual but energetic conversation that flows naturally. While doing all this won’t ensure you a high grade, it can certainly give a good first impression.
Other English Test that Recognised for Australan Visa Application
Lastly, the IELTS is not the only English language test you can take. These others include: the Pearson Test for English (PTE academic), Cambridge English: Advanced, Occupational English Test (OET) and Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test.
- Pearson Test for English (PTE academic)
- You may check through this link to obtain the PTE test. For this English language test, you will have the same sections as the IELTS, including: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. This test is not the same as the IELTS, so these tips are not for this test.
- Cambridge English Test
- If you plan to take the Cambridge Test, you may click this link. Although a much more in-depth English test, it too has the same sections. There is a lot of information that goes along with this test, so please be sure to read up on it before taking it.
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- All the information regarding this test can be found here. This test has the same sections, it’s only for occupations in the healthcare sector.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- The last English test platform that you can try is TOEFL iBT. This English test information can be found here. This test can be taken online or on paper, immigration only accepts the Internet-based version.
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