No cusswords, please (All you need to know about taking the IELTS in Karachi)
Contrary to what I had in mind, IELTS did not become history as early as I would have liked.
I still have to deal with clearing the English Language requirements because for all my linguistic brilliance, I messed up in the writing section last time - falling short of the word limit in the second part of the test, having taken up most of my time in the first task.
This was very reckless and irresponsible because:
1. IELTS information material clearly stated that falling short of the word limit in the writing section would be a costly mistake.
2. My exam strategy couldn't have been any worse - the second part of the test was worth twice the marks than the first part, but I managed to allocate only half as much time as I took in the first part.
Falling short by half a band in this section means that I have to go through the whole process and empty my pockets once again.
However, some consolation comes from the fact that my targeted accounting body for migration assessment (ICAA) does not accept the General Training test, so I would have had to either take the Academic test anyway or have my assessment processed through another accounting body.
And its not a case of not having done my homework either - the IELTS only became part of the assessment criteria this July, so its more a case of hit and miss.
So lets go through this once more, now with more documentation and planning.
Information sources
Links to all relevant information is available on http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-ielts-forms.htm
Additional information regarding refunds, transfers etc. is provided in the Notice to Candidates enclosed with the IELTS application form.
The IELTS information sheet contains most of the information you need from pre-test information and registration up to post-test information relevant to registration from Pakistan.
The IELTS Information for Candidates Booklet contains information regarding the test format and important notes. At the very least, you should read through this document thoroughly to prepare for the test.
1- Planning and logistics
Dates of the examinations for all cities in Pakistan are listed on http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-ielts-calendar.htm
Candidates reporting time is 1215 hours (PST) and test start time is 1300 hours (PST). Candidates who arrive late (after 1300 hours) admitted inside the examination hall.
Applications are processed within 10 working days. However, I remember receiving an Acknowledgment Letter by email within a few days of submitting the application.
Venue details for the Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking test are dispatched one week before the test date, though this always happens to be in the same place, i.e. the Crown Plaza Hotel on Share-e-Faisal. Speaking interviews are normally scheduled within one week before or one week after the written test date.
IELTS applicants are also registered on first-come first-serve basis. In case of non-availability of applicant’s first preferred test date, the next available date is offered.
Last time I found out that I had scheduled the test on a major religious event. Not only was I fasting (though I had been fasting all month, so that's okay), I was also a little guilty that I was missing out on the Yaum Al Mabbas prayers and Das Surat tilawat.
2 - Registration
A. Fill out the form available from http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-ielts-application-form-2.pdf
B. Attach two recent colored passport size photographs (without eye glasses) and a photocopy of ID (i.e. NIC or passport, keeping in mind you will need to present the original ID at the test center)
C. Visit the nearest Standard Chartered Bank Branch to make your payment (currently Rs. 12,000 since July 2010). Branches listed are Teen Talwar, Hillpark, University road, F.B. Area Block 06 & D.H.A Phase VI, though Clifton Teen Talwar branch is the only most popular and/ or operational branch with staff who knows what you're talking about when you mention British Council deposit slips.
You can order the specimen pack by enclosing the payment for the specimen pack for Rs. 975/- and you will receive within a few days.
3 - About the Exam and guide to preparation
The written exam has three components - Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes) and Writing (60 minutes) - and a 15-minute speaking test scheduled a few days before or after.
IELTS Listening and Reading papers contain 40 items and each correct item is awarded one mark; the maximum raw score a candidate can achieve on a paper is 40. Band scores ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 are awarded to candidates on the basis of their raw scores.
The specimen pack has a practice test with a CD and some reading material to help understand how the test is scored.
Official sample reading/ writing test are available from www.ielts.org website on this page.
Additionally, www.ielts-exam.net is one website that has plenty of practice material (though it is peppered with monetized links).
http://www.interface.edu.pk/tests/ielts/tips.asp provides an approach that you can follow for each section of the exam.
More useful tips, particularly about exam strategy are available on http://www.ielts-exam.net/ielts-facts.htm
Listening:
Taking a practice test is probably the best way to prepare.
A wide range of listening skills is assessed, including
> understanding of main ideas and specific factual information;
> recognising opinions, attitudes and purpose of a speaker;
> following the development of an argument
Section 1 is a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context (e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency)
Section 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or a talk about the arrangements for meals during a conference)
Section 3 is a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a group of students planning a research project)
Section 4 is a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture)
Each section is heard once only. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is used
Some practice material is available on the internet. You can find websites such as this one to practice the listening test.
Reading
Texts for the Academic Reading test are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. A variety of question types is used including multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer's views, matching information, sentence completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short answer questions and more.
Samples of different types of reading test questions are available from the IELTS website on this page. It may be worthwhile to spend an hour or so going through the sample questions on the page.
Writing
The Academic Writing has two writing tasks. The first writing task of 150 words asks you to describe a graph or chart. The second writing task of 250 words is an essay written in formal language.
Since one hour is available for the first task and the second is worth twice the first part, you should spend 10-15 minutes on the first task and about 30-35 minutes on the second task, with 10-15 minutes for editing and checking.
Examiners award a band score for each of four criterion areas: Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. The four criteria are equally weighted.
A top score has the following writing band descriptors, as detailed in information is available on this page:
Task Achievement (for Task 1): fully satisfies all the requirements of the task and clearly presents a fully developed response
Task Response (for Task 2): fully addresses all parts of the task & presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas
Coherence & Cohesion: uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention and skilfully manages paragraphing
Lexical Resource: uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’
This page has a number of Academic Writing Task 1s to practice on, with sample answers. This page has has a number of Academic Writing Task 2s for practice.
Speaking
Examiners award a band score for each of four criterion areas: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Pronunciation. The four criteria are equally weighted. Every attempt should be made to showcase these criterion during the interview.
A top score has the following writing band descriptors, as detailed in information is available on the page mentioned:
Fluency and coherence:
• speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction; any hesitation is content-related rather than to find words or grammar
• speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive features
• develops topics fully and appropriately
Lexical resource:
• uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics
• uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately
Grammatical range and accuracy:
• uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately
• produces consistently accurate structures apart from ‘slips’ characteristic of native speaker speech
Pronunciation:
• uses a full range of pronunciation features with precision and subtlety
• sustains flexible use of features throughout
• is effortless to understand
4 - Exam Strategy
While at least a 7-band score does not require particularly sharp communication skills, effective time management is critical in order to make the best possible attempt.
Bringing a (no-sound) clock or watch is a good idea as last time I had to have the staff arrange for a wall clock to be able to monitor the time.
Also, a little effort can contribute to better testing conditions with fewer distractions, such as memorizing your candidate number that you will be asked to write on each section's answer papers. Bringing some pep-up sugar candies was a good idea in the CIMA exams and could be useful here too.
This page has some useful information regarding exam strategy for each section, given below:
Listening:
1 Use the example at the beginning of the first section to familiarize yourself with the sound, the situation, and the speakers.
2 Keep listening until the recording stops, looking only at the questions that relate to the part being played.
3 There are often pauses in the recording between different sections. Use these to prepare for the next set of questions.
4 Answer Listening questions in the order they appear on the Question Paper. Remember that they normally follow the order of the information in the recording.
5 At the end of the recording you have some time to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. Check your grammar and spelling as you do so
Reading
For Reading passages, don’t waste time reading, enjoying, and completely understanding the passage. Simply scan the passage to get a rough idea of what it is about. You will return to the passage for each question, so there is no need to memorize it. Only spend as much time scanning as is necessary to get a vague impression of its overall subject content.
6 In Academic Reading, begin by going quickly through each passage to identify features such as the topic, the style, the likely source, the writer’s purpose and the intended reader.
7 As you read, don’t try to understand the precise meaning of every word or phrase. You don’t have time, and those parts of the text might not be tested anyway.
8 Reading tasks sometimes have an example answer. If this is the case, study it and decide why it is correct.
9 Some tasks require you to use words from the text in the answer; in others you should use your own words. Check the instructions carefully.
10 The instructions may also include a word limit, e.g. Use no more than three words. Keep to this by avoiding unnecessary words in your answer.
Writing:
11 In Academic Writing, you must always keep to the topic set. Never try to prepare sections of text before the exam.
12 Keep to the suggested timing: there are more marks possible for Task 2 than Task 1.
13 Organize and link your ideas and sentences appropriately, using a wide range of language and showing your ability (in Task 2) to discuss ideas and express opinions.
14 If you write less than 150 words in Task 1 or less than 250 in Task 2 you will lose marks, but there is no maximum number of words for either.
15 When you plan your essay, allow plenty of time at the end to check your work.
Speaking
16 In Speaking, don’t try to give a prepared speech, or talk about a different topic from the one you are asked to discuss.
17 Always speak directly to the Examiner, not to the recording equipment.
18 Whenever you reply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the Examiner’s questions, add more details to your answer. In each case, aim to explain at least one point.
19 Remember that you are not being tested on your general knowledge but on your ability to communicate effectively.
20 Organize and link your ideas and sentences appropriately, talking clearly at normal speed and using a wide range of structures and vocabulary.
Having taken almost a week on this blog post, I think I am now ready to schedule the next exam (about 3 weeks away).
Considering that my last score in the June 26, 2010 test administered by British Council, Karachi PK010 (Candidate no. 001031) was 7.5 listening, 7.0 reading, 6.5 writing and 8.0 speaking, I need to concentrate on my writing and reading more than oral communication.
Hopefully the scoring on the Academic test will be more favorable (as the questions tend to be tougher but fewer points can fetch the same score), but that's not something I can depend on.
More than anything else, I need to do a number of writing tasks to ensure:
1. That I can meet or exceed the word limit within the scheduled time
2. That I can achieve the characteristics of a high band score with reference to the band descriptors mentioned above
3. That I am able to produce appropriate content with good composition, spelling and grammar in my written communication
Secondly, I need to go through the links mentioned in the Reading preparation section so that I am familiar with all the different question types.
Thirdly, I could get some listening practice, but I will leave this as optional.
Most importantly, I need to take the sample test enclosed in the specimen pack and pour over its contents.
Finally, paying close attention to the band descriptors will be useful just before the speaking test.
Once I've tested I can focus on the more challenging CIMA management level exams.
The timing of the results will allow me to hopefully lodge my application for immigration with a few days to spare for my 30th birthday :- If I test on the 25th of this month and my result sheet comes out within the expected time, then I can lodge my application for assessment with ICAA or any other accounting body so that the processing time of six to eight weeks falls somewhere in the end of November 2010 (around the same time as my CIMA exams).
This will give me about a month to finalize my application for immigration and send the documents before January 9, 2011.
I still have to deal with clearing the English Language requirements because for all my linguistic brilliance, I messed up in the writing section last time - falling short of the word limit in the second part of the test, having taken up most of my time in the first task.
This was very reckless and irresponsible because:
1. IELTS information material clearly stated that falling short of the word limit in the writing section would be a costly mistake.
2. My exam strategy couldn't have been any worse - the second part of the test was worth twice the marks than the first part, but I managed to allocate only half as much time as I took in the first part.
Falling short by half a band in this section means that I have to go through the whole process and empty my pockets once again.
However, some consolation comes from the fact that my targeted accounting body for migration assessment (ICAA) does not accept the General Training test, so I would have had to either take the Academic test anyway or have my assessment processed through another accounting body.
And its not a case of not having done my homework either - the IELTS only became part of the assessment criteria this July, so its more a case of hit and miss.
So lets go through this once more, now with more documentation and planning.
Information sources
Links to all relevant information is available on http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-ielts-forms.htm
Additional information regarding refunds, transfers etc. is provided in the Notice to Candidates enclosed with the IELTS application form.
The IELTS information sheet contains most of the information you need from pre-test information and registration up to post-test information relevant to registration from Pakistan.
The IELTS Information for Candidates Booklet contains information regarding the test format and important notes. At the very least, you should read through this document thoroughly to prepare for the test.
1- Planning and logistics
Dates of the examinations for all cities in Pakistan are listed on http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-ielts-calendar.htm
Candidates reporting time is 1215 hours (PST) and test start time is 1300 hours (PST). Candidates who arrive late (after 1300 hours) admitted inside the examination hall.
Applications are processed within 10 working days. However, I remember receiving an Acknowledgment Letter by email within a few days of submitting the application.
Venue details for the Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking test are dispatched one week before the test date, though this always happens to be in the same place, i.e. the Crown Plaza Hotel on Share-e-Faisal. Speaking interviews are normally scheduled within one week before or one week after the written test date.
IELTS applicants are also registered on first-come first-serve basis. In case of non-availability of applicant’s first preferred test date, the next available date is offered.
Last time I found out that I had scheduled the test on a major religious event. Not only was I fasting (though I had been fasting all month, so that's okay), I was also a little guilty that I was missing out on the Yaum Al Mabbas prayers and Das Surat tilawat.
2 - Registration
A. Fill out the form available from http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-ielts-application-form-2.pdf
B. Attach two recent colored passport size photographs (without eye glasses) and a photocopy of ID (i.e. NIC or passport, keeping in mind you will need to present the original ID at the test center)
C. Visit the nearest Standard Chartered Bank Branch to make your payment (currently Rs. 12,000 since July 2010). Branches listed are Teen Talwar, Hillpark, University road, F.B. Area Block 06 & D.H.A Phase VI, though Clifton Teen Talwar branch is the only most popular and/ or operational branch with staff who knows what you're talking about when you mention British Council deposit slips.
You can order the specimen pack by enclosing the payment for the specimen pack for Rs. 975/- and you will receive within a few days.
3 - About the Exam and guide to preparation
The written exam has three components - Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes) and Writing (60 minutes) - and a 15-minute speaking test scheduled a few days before or after.
IELTS Listening and Reading papers contain 40 items and each correct item is awarded one mark; the maximum raw score a candidate can achieve on a paper is 40. Band scores ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 are awarded to candidates on the basis of their raw scores.
The specimen pack has a practice test with a CD and some reading material to help understand how the test is scored.
Official sample reading/ writing test are available from www.ielts.org website on this page.
Additionally, www.ielts-exam.net is one website that has plenty of practice material (though it is peppered with monetized links).
http://www.interface.edu.pk/tests/ielts/tips.asp provides an approach that you can follow for each section of the exam.
More useful tips, particularly about exam strategy are available on http://www.ielts-exam.net/ielts-facts.htm
Listening:
Taking a practice test is probably the best way to prepare.
A wide range of listening skills is assessed, including
> understanding of main ideas and specific factual information;
> recognising opinions, attitudes and purpose of a speaker;
> following the development of an argument
Section 1 is a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context (e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency)
Section 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or a talk about the arrangements for meals during a conference)
Section 3 is a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a group of students planning a research project)
Section 4 is a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture)
Each section is heard once only. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is used
Some practice material is available on the internet. You can find websites such as this one to practice the listening test.
Reading
Texts for the Academic Reading test are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. A variety of question types is used including multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer's views, matching information, sentence completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short answer questions and more.
Samples of different types of reading test questions are available from the IELTS website on this page. It may be worthwhile to spend an hour or so going through the sample questions on the page.
Writing
The Academic Writing has two writing tasks. The first writing task of 150 words asks you to describe a graph or chart. The second writing task of 250 words is an essay written in formal language.
Since one hour is available for the first task and the second is worth twice the first part, you should spend 10-15 minutes on the first task and about 30-35 minutes on the second task, with 10-15 minutes for editing and checking.
Examiners award a band score for each of four criterion areas: Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. The four criteria are equally weighted.
A top score has the following writing band descriptors, as detailed in information is available on this page:
Task Achievement (for Task 1): fully satisfies all the requirements of the task and clearly presents a fully developed response
Task Response (for Task 2): fully addresses all parts of the task & presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas
Coherence & Cohesion: uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention and skilfully manages paragraphing
Lexical Resource: uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’
This page has a number of Academic Writing Task 1s to practice on, with sample answers. This page has has a number of Academic Writing Task 2s for practice.
Speaking
Examiners award a band score for each of four criterion areas: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Pronunciation. The four criteria are equally weighted. Every attempt should be made to showcase these criterion during the interview.
A top score has the following writing band descriptors, as detailed in information is available on the page mentioned:
Fluency and coherence:
• speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction; any hesitation is content-related rather than to find words or grammar
• speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive features
• develops topics fully and appropriately
Lexical resource:
• uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics
• uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately
Grammatical range and accuracy:
• uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately
• produces consistently accurate structures apart from ‘slips’ characteristic of native speaker speech
Pronunciation:
• uses a full range of pronunciation features with precision and subtlety
• sustains flexible use of features throughout
• is effortless to understand
4 - Exam Strategy
While at least a 7-band score does not require particularly sharp communication skills, effective time management is critical in order to make the best possible attempt.
Bringing a (no-sound) clock or watch is a good idea as last time I had to have the staff arrange for a wall clock to be able to monitor the time.
Also, a little effort can contribute to better testing conditions with fewer distractions, such as memorizing your candidate number that you will be asked to write on each section's answer papers. Bringing some pep-up sugar candies was a good idea in the CIMA exams and could be useful here too.
This page has some useful information regarding exam strategy for each section, given below:
Listening:
1 Use the example at the beginning of the first section to familiarize yourself with the sound, the situation, and the speakers.
2 Keep listening until the recording stops, looking only at the questions that relate to the part being played.
3 There are often pauses in the recording between different sections. Use these to prepare for the next set of questions.
4 Answer Listening questions in the order they appear on the Question Paper. Remember that they normally follow the order of the information in the recording.
5 At the end of the recording you have some time to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. Check your grammar and spelling as you do so
Reading
For Reading passages, don’t waste time reading, enjoying, and completely understanding the passage. Simply scan the passage to get a rough idea of what it is about. You will return to the passage for each question, so there is no need to memorize it. Only spend as much time scanning as is necessary to get a vague impression of its overall subject content.
6 In Academic Reading, begin by going quickly through each passage to identify features such as the topic, the style, the likely source, the writer’s purpose and the intended reader.
7 As you read, don’t try to understand the precise meaning of every word or phrase. You don’t have time, and those parts of the text might not be tested anyway.
8 Reading tasks sometimes have an example answer. If this is the case, study it and decide why it is correct.
9 Some tasks require you to use words from the text in the answer; in others you should use your own words. Check the instructions carefully.
10 The instructions may also include a word limit, e.g. Use no more than three words. Keep to this by avoiding unnecessary words in your answer.
Writing:
11 In Academic Writing, you must always keep to the topic set. Never try to prepare sections of text before the exam.
12 Keep to the suggested timing: there are more marks possible for Task 2 than Task 1.
13 Organize and link your ideas and sentences appropriately, using a wide range of language and showing your ability (in Task 2) to discuss ideas and express opinions.
14 If you write less than 150 words in Task 1 or less than 250 in Task 2 you will lose marks, but there is no maximum number of words for either.
15 When you plan your essay, allow plenty of time at the end to check your work.
Speaking
16 In Speaking, don’t try to give a prepared speech, or talk about a different topic from the one you are asked to discuss.
17 Always speak directly to the Examiner, not to the recording equipment.
18 Whenever you reply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the Examiner’s questions, add more details to your answer. In each case, aim to explain at least one point.
19 Remember that you are not being tested on your general knowledge but on your ability to communicate effectively.
20 Organize and link your ideas and sentences appropriately, talking clearly at normal speed and using a wide range of structures and vocabulary.
Having taken almost a week on this blog post, I think I am now ready to schedule the next exam (about 3 weeks away).
Considering that my last score in the June 26, 2010 test administered by British Council, Karachi PK010 (Candidate no. 001031) was 7.5 listening, 7.0 reading, 6.5 writing and 8.0 speaking, I need to concentrate on my writing and reading more than oral communication.
Hopefully the scoring on the Academic test will be more favorable (as the questions tend to be tougher but fewer points can fetch the same score), but that's not something I can depend on.
More than anything else, I need to do a number of writing tasks to ensure:
1. That I can meet or exceed the word limit within the scheduled time
2. That I can achieve the characteristics of a high band score with reference to the band descriptors mentioned above
3. That I am able to produce appropriate content with good composition, spelling and grammar in my written communication
Secondly, I need to go through the links mentioned in the Reading preparation section so that I am familiar with all the different question types.
Thirdly, I could get some listening practice, but I will leave this as optional.
Most importantly, I need to take the sample test enclosed in the specimen pack and pour over its contents.
Finally, paying close attention to the band descriptors will be useful just before the speaking test.
Once I've tested I can focus on the more challenging CIMA management level exams.
The timing of the results will allow me to hopefully lodge my application for immigration with a few days to spare for my 30th birthday :- If I test on the 25th of this month and my result sheet comes out within the expected time, then I can lodge my application for assessment with ICAA or any other accounting body so that the processing time of six to eight weeks falls somewhere in the end of November 2010 (around the same time as my CIMA exams).
This will give me about a month to finalize my application for immigration and send the documents before January 9, 2011.
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