Which English test should I take?

[joancarillo]

Hello Everyone!

Its really confusing for me, if which test should i take. Im overseas working here in middle east.
They only have IELTS Academic or General Test only. But for Fiancee visa just need the A1 English test.

Could anybody can give an advice reagarding this please.

Appriciate your help! Thank you!

JoanC

[joebloggs]

you can take ielts general or there are others you could also take..

[joancarillo]

Many thanks Joe!

I enquire to all the test center here they just have Placement test? Do you think is it fine?
They doesn't have test center for A1 english test here.

[Terpe]

The UKBA site states that,
"In the test, you will need to demonstrate a basic command of English (speaking and listening) at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference Someone assessed at level A1 can understand and use simple, everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
You will not need to demonstrate your reading and writing skills. The minimum standard that you must meet is in speaking and listening at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. "

Here is asample of IELTS
http://www.world-english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm

It's Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

I am a native born English speaker, and personally I would not say General IELTS is easy.

If you are academic, then IELTS might be OK.
If you are not academic I would personally suggest to try to find an approved centre who can test you to the A1 level.

If you have no choice the I guess you just need to study some.
Well that's my opinion for what it's worth.

[joebloggs]

Ielts is not easy, its an all day long test, but the pass mark is about 4, sure some of the A1 equivalents like toeic are probably easier http://www.uk.toeic.eu/toeic/uk/about-the-toeic-test/toeic-for-visa-purposes/

Ielts there are 2 versions, general (easier) and the academic (more difficult) version, my wife has taken the academic one a few times over the years

[Terpe]

....my wife has taken the academic one a few times over the years

Joe, your wife is smart ,determined and academic.:)

I didn't want to make too strong an issue, just to highlight that maybe for a lot of people IELTS may not be such a great choice. :)

[joebloggs]

fair point terpe, a couple of people on here took ielts for the English language test not long ago, i wonder how they found it ?
first time my wife took it she didn't pass the academic one, she needed 7 in each section, cannot blame her she didn't know what to expect even thou she gone thru a couple of Ielts prep books..

Ielts is probably the most useful job wise and if you want to go and study thou..

[medg22]

hello joancarillo! :) welcome to the forum ;) i have read your enquiry and based on my experience i could give you some advice... I took my english test from EMD. Since it's a fiancee visa, you only need the Speaking and Listening parts. Writing and reading is not necessary. A1 level is very simple. The questions were so easy like... ''What's your name?'' ''Spell Philippines'', ''Tell me something about your bestfriend'' ;) hahaha! as in very easy! :) anyway, IELTS is very expensive but helpful. You can check the UKBA website for approved english test provider available in your area so that you could decide about it yourself. :) goodluck! :)

[joebloggs]

IELTS is very expensive but helpful.

:Erm:, the exam is about the same price 8,500 php

[joancarillo]

Thank you guys! Highly appriciated all your response.

Im overseas working here in Qatar. British council here conducting KET, PET, BEC and FCE exams all are calculated as level A1.

Im thinking, which one i should take. :Erm:

@medg22 - Looks like easy test in EMD. but unlucky me, no EMD here.

[Arthur Little]

:sorry-2: I'm unable to advise on the English Language *Test, Joan. TBH, it's been a sore point :cwm23: with me - ever since it was first mooted - that it included Filipinos among non-European nationals planning to settle in the UK ... in spite of the fact that English is the medium of instruction in the Phils. I may be mistaken here [although I don't think so!] ... but I believe *its principal objective had been to curb the huge influx of Pakistanis who neither spoke, understood ... nor even attempted to learn a word of English coming here - especially to the Midlands regions - and forming themselves into ever-increasing enclaves rather than integrate with the local communities. :doh

[sars_notd_virus]

Thank you guys! Highly appriciated all your response.

Im overseas working here in Qatar. British council here conducting KET, PET, BEC and FCE exams all are calculated as level A1.

Im thinking, which one i should take. :Erm:



I think its FCE (first certificate in english) you need to take,..FCE is an exam for people who need to prove they can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level for work or study purposes.
check this link http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/fce.html,... u may also be able to practice the test.:xxgrinning--00xx3:
good luck!!

[joancarillo]

Hello Everyone!

I took an FCE test 3 weeks ago and finally got the result today.

My test Certificate is Level B1. Is it OK to submit for my application?

Appriciated your response!

Thanks!

JoanC

[Terpe]

Hello Everyone!

I took an FCE test 3 weeks ago and finally got the result today.

My test Certificate is Level B1. Is it OK to submit for my application?

Appriciated your response!

Thanks!

JoanC

Level B1 is fine for your application. Well done :xxgrinning--00xx3:
It's higher level than A1

[joancarillo]

I highly appriated your response, Thanks a lot Terpe:)

[sexyvictoria]

hi! i wud like to know some other questions that they asked you. I'm getting a fiance visa too..i dont know how to start..i hope you can help me. thanks

[joancarillo]

Hello Gurl. You should start to take English test first cause it takes time to get a Certificate. My advise is take the KET or PET English test in British Council thats all are calculated as level A1.

Then afterwards proceed to the checklist of supporting documents for fiancee visa!

Goodluck Gurl. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[exadore1]

For what it's worth, UK Borders refused to recognise my wifes English major degree and initially refused her Visa App, we appealed on the grounds that we thought any degree would meet or exceed level A1. Anyway in order to meet the appeal deadline my wife sat the IELTS Basic English test without any revision or tutorage and passed at level 6.5 she's 50 years old and in my opinion speaks English as good as most Filipinas, so if you do sit the IELTS test with a bit of revision you should be fine.

[exquisitegeeks]

Hello Everyone!

Its really confusing for me, if which test should i take. Im overseas working here in middle east.
They only have IELTS Academic or General Test only. But for Fiancee visa just need the A1 English test.

Could anybody can give an advice reagarding this please.

Appriciate your help! Thank you!

JoanC


==> Hi Joan,

Just take the Speaking + Writing and Listening + Reading Exam. All you need to get is A1 English level (basic) :Hellooo: you can do it!

To give you an Idea, Here's the centre where I took the IELTS test (TOEIC)
http://www.toeic-phil.com/index.htm

That site also provide sample exam that you may use to review :)

As per checking, there's an IELTS testing centre in Qatar where you can take the listening, reading, writing, and speaking examination ;) here it is:

http://www.cna-qatar.com/testingcentre/Pages/IELTS.aspx

and for FAQ's check this out -
http://www.cna-qatar.com/testingcentre/Pages/QuestionsIELTS_1-12.aspx


Goodluck and Welcome to the community! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[sexyvictoria]

hi everyone! i need your help i'm applying for fiance UK visa. my fiance already went here in the Philippines 2 times last year. I already got this things:


IDENTIFICATION

*My passport - His colored copy Passport
*My NSO Birth certificate - copy of his birth certificate
*My CENOMAR
*NBI Clearance
*English Test Certificate ( I will have my test on Aug. 25)
*Tuberculosis Certificate
*Lungs X-ray
EVIDENCE OF ACCOMMODATION

*Letter from his mum (with her birth certificate and her picture)
*Letter from their landlord
*Property details
*pictures of their house
*Contract of the lease of their house

EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL CAPACITY

*Letters from his 2 employers (my fiance only got par-time job and the other is only a self employed basis.)
*Invoices ( from his part-time work and his other work is only a cash in hand that's why he doesn't have payslip)
*His Western Union/Moneygram receipts
*3 months bank statement (he just open a savings accnt last June 30,2011 so we have to wait on September to have 3 months bank statements

EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP


*Letter from him
*Letter from me
*Booking for our wedding reception in the restaurant
* Reservation on the municipal for our wedding
*Christmas cards and pictures of the gifts
*Birthday cards
*Valentines cards and pictures of the gifts
*Flowers receipts, cards and pictures
*YM Screenshot
*YM Chat logs
*SKYPE Screenshot
*SKYPE Chat logs
*Facebook Screenshot
*Facebook Chat logs and messages
*My Western Union/ Moneygram Receipts
*Pictures of my Apartment here ( he got me my own apartment here)
*Contract of lease of my apartment
*Receipts of my apartment
EVIDENCE OF ENOUNTER


*Boarding passes
*E-Tickets
*Used Phone Cards
*Hotel Receipts
*Photos
*Poems/Letters
*Receipts
*Train and Bus tickets
* Departure cards
*Travel agent Receipts


My fiance earns 60pounds a week from his 1 job and 35pounds from his other job. He doesn't have P60 because he told me that his not earning that much to pay tax. When he gets his salary he send it to me straight to pay for my bills here like my electric and water bills, rent for my apartment that he got me here, net connection, for my foods and my phone also. he sends me every week. he still live with his mum and his older sister. his sister paying their rent. his sister wrote a letter stating that when i get there she will going to help us also and she also wrote to her letter that she's the one who's paying their rent. I read many messages here in the forum asking for help about a UK fiance visa I hope you can help me also to get my visa God bless us all

[Anakin]

Hi all,

My gf sat the PET exam several months ago and got 56/100 Council of Europe Level A2
Questions as I'm baffled:
1. Is the PET valid anymore for FLR M applications?
2. Is Level A2 grade not good enough anyway?

thanks in advance

[Terpe]

Hi all,

My gf sat the PET exam several months ago and got 56/100 Council of Europe Level A2
Questions as I'm baffled:
1. Is the PET valid anymore for FLR M applications?
2. Is Level A2 grade not good enough anyway?

thanks in advance

1. PET (Preliminary English Test) is still on the UKBA approved list.
Who did you take the test with?
Was the certificate awarded by Cambridge ESOL?

2. Yes A2 level is actually higher than A1 so that's OK

You just need to be sure than the organisation who awarded the certificate is still on the approved list.
The list changed 18 July 2011

[Anakin]

cheers Terse, yes it was with Cambridge ESOL.
I think I'm getting confused by the grade required column and the level column.
I was assuming she'd need PASS in the grade required column when I'm now supposing she only needs to have reached A1 under the Euro framework thingy.
She sat the exam with cambridge ESOL in Brighton.

[Terpe]

cheers Terse, yes it was with Cambridge ESOL.
I think I'm getting confused by the grade required column and the level column.
I was assuming she'd need PASS in the grade required column when I'm now supposing she only needs to have reached A1 under the Euro framework thingy.
She sat the exam with cambridge ESOL in Brighton.

All is OK. Both test and the provider remain on the new approved UKBA list.
All to go :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Anakin]

Thanks Terpe
Really appreciate it!

:D