I would like to share with you my iELTS experience, as it has led me to question the integrity of the test.
Background: I am required to score at least an 8/9 in each module to expedite my visa process. I am a native English speaker who attended English schools at all levels of education. I scored exceptionally well in all of the English/Language Arts courses that I took throughout my education. I was even an honor student in the few English courses I was required to take in university (I have an Mechanical Engineering degree).
I have taken the iELTS test three times:
Test One:
R: 8.5
L: 7.5
S: 9
W: 7.5
I came into this test over confident and unfamiliar with the testing format. I walked out of the test very frustrated, knowing that I most likely would not achieve an 8 on the writing module. I spent the majority of my time on the first task of the writing section, and I was not prepared to write an essay on the second task. I also had limited interest and background on the essay topic. My essay was much shorter than the suggested minimum and it had bad and poorly supported arguments. I also did not leave myself any time to proofread my essay, which was surely full of minor errors because I was rushing to complete it.
Test Two:
R: 9
L: 9
S: 8.5
W: 7.5
Prior to test two, I spent some time writing practice essays and I took as many free online practice tests that I could. I came into this test much more familiar with the test format. I was very confident leaving the test that I would score at least an 8 in all modules.
I spent less time on the first task of the writing section, and I was able to write a far superior essay compared to my first test (in my opinion anyways). This essay was structured better and had good arguments with sufficient supporting evidence, and I touched on some personal experiences. By my count, the essay was slightly over the recommended minimum length.
I was shocked when I got my scores for the second test, as my writing score did not improve, despite the fact that my writing on this test was significantly better. I challenged my writing score because I could not comprehend how my writing on the second test scored the same as the writing on my first test.
Test Three:
R: 9
L: 9
S: 8.5
W: 7
I initially was not going to take the iELTS test again and had an appointment to take the PTE-A test. However, my PTE-A test was abruptly cancelled due to the examiners “family emergency”. I reluctantly booked another iELTS test. This time around, I spent a great deal of time improving my writing. I prepared a series of templates to follow, depending on the nature of the essay topic. I studied the iELTS writing marking criteria and tried to satisfy the criteria in the countless practice essays I wrote. I got friends to read and critique my essays as well.
I thought the quality of my writing on my third test was leaps and bounds ahead of the writing on my first two. Walking out of the test, I was fully assured that I would achieve at the very minimum an 8/9 in the writing section.
Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed and frustrated when I received the marks. I somehow scored lower than I did on the first two tests. I have lost all faith in the iELTS test and chose not to waste my money challenging the score
Has anyone else had similar experiences with iELTS? It is frustrating because iELTS does not provide you with any feedback or copies of your tests. As a result, no one can hold iELTS accountable for their inconsistent marking and quite possibly unethical practices.
In my opinion, an English test for immigration purposes should not be marked so stringently. I now have a great deal of empathy for the ESL folks.
I have booked a PTE-A test at the end of the month and will keep you posted on the results. I have heard that achieving a 79 in module on the PTE-A test is much easier compared to iELTS (fingers crossed).
Background: I am required to score at least an 8/9 in each module to expedite my visa process. I am a native English speaker who attended English schools at all levels of education. I scored exceptionally well in all of the English/Language Arts courses that I took throughout my education. I was even an honor student in the few English courses I was required to take in university (I have an Mechanical Engineering degree).
I have taken the iELTS test three times:
Test One:
R: 8.5
L: 7.5
S: 9
W: 7.5
I came into this test over confident and unfamiliar with the testing format. I walked out of the test very frustrated, knowing that I most likely would not achieve an 8 on the writing module. I spent the majority of my time on the first task of the writing section, and I was not prepared to write an essay on the second task. I also had limited interest and background on the essay topic. My essay was much shorter than the suggested minimum and it had bad and poorly supported arguments. I also did not leave myself any time to proofread my essay, which was surely full of minor errors because I was rushing to complete it.
Test Two:
R: 9
L: 9
S: 8.5
W: 7.5
Prior to test two, I spent some time writing practice essays and I took as many free online practice tests that I could. I came into this test much more familiar with the test format. I was very confident leaving the test that I would score at least an 8 in all modules.
I spent less time on the first task of the writing section, and I was able to write a far superior essay compared to my first test (in my opinion anyways). This essay was structured better and had good arguments with sufficient supporting evidence, and I touched on some personal experiences. By my count, the essay was slightly over the recommended minimum length.
I was shocked when I got my scores for the second test, as my writing score did not improve, despite the fact that my writing on this test was significantly better. I challenged my writing score because I could not comprehend how my writing on the second test scored the same as the writing on my first test.
Test Three:
R: 9
L: 9
S: 8.5
W: 7
I initially was not going to take the iELTS test again and had an appointment to take the PTE-A test. However, my PTE-A test was abruptly cancelled due to the examiners “family emergency”. I reluctantly booked another iELTS test. This time around, I spent a great deal of time improving my writing. I prepared a series of templates to follow, depending on the nature of the essay topic. I studied the iELTS writing marking criteria and tried to satisfy the criteria in the countless practice essays I wrote. I got friends to read and critique my essays as well.
I thought the quality of my writing on my third test was leaps and bounds ahead of the writing on my first two. Walking out of the test, I was fully assured that I would achieve at the very minimum an 8/9 in the writing section.
Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed and frustrated when I received the marks. I somehow scored lower than I did on the first two tests. I have lost all faith in the iELTS test and chose not to waste my money challenging the score
Has anyone else had similar experiences with iELTS? It is frustrating because iELTS does not provide you with any feedback or copies of your tests. As a result, no one can hold iELTS accountable for their inconsistent marking and quite possibly unethical practices.
In my opinion, an English test for immigration purposes should not be marked so stringently. I now have a great deal of empathy for the ESL folks.
I have booked a PTE-A test at the end of the month and will keep you posted on the results. I have heard that achieving a 79 in module on the PTE-A test is much easier compared to iELTS (fingers crossed).