English Language Ability

For the English Language Ability section of my permanent residency (PR) application, I had to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test again although I had to take the exact same test in Malaysia before I came to Canberra as part of my pre-requisite for entry to the University of Canberra. For PR application purposes, I had to achieve a band 7 out of 9 for all four sections of the test because I am planning to lodge my PR application by the 30th of June before the new point system takes effect. If I were to apply for PR from the 1st of July 2011 onwards, I'll be required to achieve a band 8 out of 9 for all four sections of the test.

I sat for my IELTS test on the 14th of May and had to register the month before. Registration was simple enough. All I had to do was to:
1. visit the IELTS test centre's website (which so happens to be at my uni),
2. look through the available test dates, bearing in mind which test you need to do (I had to sit for the academic test and not the general test because my skill assessment authority required academic IELTS)
3. download the application form
4. complete the form and submit together with payment, 2 recent passport sized photos and a copy of your passport
5. a confirmation letter will be posted to you a week before the test date to inform you of the time and location of your test
6. test results will be posted out to you 2 weeks after the test date

Cost: Application fee $317 (increased to $330 from 1st August 2011) + Passport photos $0.15 (because I did it myself)
Total: $317.15

The test was simple enough. It consisted of four main sections; Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. More information on the test format could be found from the IELTS website. The test started at 9am on the 14th of May, and in the confirmation letter that was posted to me the week before my test, told me to be there at 7.45am. I thought, why do I have to go so early to sit for a 9am exam? But I didn't question any further and arrived at my uni at 7.45am in the morning on that cold autumn day. The temperature that morning was sub-zero.

Once you enter the test hall, you're not allowed to leave until the first there sections of the test is complete; Listening, Reading and Writing. After you're done with the three main sections, you have to wait until your allocated Speaking time to be tested on your speaking ability in a one-on-one question and answer format. Fortunately for me, I had my Speaking session set pretty early. So I managed to complete all four sections by 12.30pm that same day itself.

I received my test results in the mail on the 30th of May. My results were as follow:
Listening: Band 9
Reading: Band 8.5
Writing: Band 7
Speaking: Band 8

Although I am a little disappointed with my writing ability, my results will still be sufficient to help me gain enough points for my PR application.


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