Confused now IELTS Test results

[BazJaz]

Hi,

My fiancee got her results back today from the "General" test module taken in Davao, she had to do all 4 parts as they dont split them, now the confusion part for me.....
As far as I can work out, a fiancee visa only requires Listening and Speaking as mentioned on the guidance notes http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/partners-other-family/guidance-for-applicants.pdf
But on their other form for approved English tests it states IELTS results for all 4 exams being a B1 level requirement http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf
She only got 3.5 total (dont know how she managed that as she been in Hawaii for 4 years!)
If listening and speaking is all that is required then her adverage score would have been 4 (=B1) but as she was forced to take all 4 tests the adverage result comes in at 3.5 so they made her fail!
Individual results were :-
Listening = 3.5
Reading = 3.5
Writing = 3.0
Speaking = 4.5

Can anyone inlighten me on the exact score and pass she needs for fiancee visa before I send her back for retest if i have to

Thanks

BAz n Jaz

[Rory]

The B1 requirements does not kick in until next year, the lowest level is ok still.

[raynaputi]

She might need to retake the test as it states in the list of UKBA that she needs to get at least a mark of 4.0.

7250

Reference: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf

[BazJaz]

Hi Rory
Thanks for that, is there a web page that you know of that shows the requirements?

[BazJaz]

Thats the conclusion I was coming to, but Rory tells me B1 is next year, so still confused and need hard evidance before I blow £1000 :)

[raynaputi]

Thats the conclusion I was coming to, but Rory tells me B1 is next year, so still confused and need hard evidance before I blow £1000 :)

The document I showed you above is not yet the revised one for next year. It is dated 24 January 2012. UKBA requires an IELTS test to have the minimum score of 4.0. If you would look at other test providers in that document, i.e. TOEIC, ESOL, etc., they have different marks/grade that UKBA accepts. IELTS doesn't have any lower score than 4.0 that UKBA will accept. She needs to retake the test.

[melovesengland]

The document I showed you above is not yet the revised one for next year. It is dated 24 January 2012. UKBA requires an IELTS test to have the minimum score of 4.0. If you would look at other test providers in that document, i.e. TOEIC, ESOL, etc., they have different marks/grade that UKBA accepts. IELTS doesn't have any lower score than 4.0 that UKBA will accept. She needs to retake the test.

I agree and I am afraid that she needs to retake the test. The minimum passing score or band score that UKBA requires for IELTS test takers is 4.0 and her mark is below on that.

[irishman12]

i hope your not teaching her to spell? average ? evidence

[Rory]

under the new rules that changed on the 9th July you are still ok with A1 level as i read it, this the paragraph i find that i copy and paste

"from October 2013, requiring all applicants for settlement to pass the Life in the UK Test and present an English language speaking and listening qualification at B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages unless they are exempt; and"

and here is the page from the amended rules for the 9th July this year.


http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/july/15-family-mig

Just passed halfway down the page you will see the paragraph that states that a B1 will come in to force in Oct 2013.

[Rory]

There must be a few different tests that you can take as my wife when to Manila to sit her english tests and the level required are set out different. These are the levels my wife has to pass.

http://www.hopkins.ph/visas-immigration/toeic-for-ukba

[raynaputi]

under the new rules that changed on the 9th July you are still ok with A1 level as i read it, this the paragraph i find that i copy and paste

"from October 2013, requiring all applicants for settlement to pass the Life in the UK Test and present an English language speaking and listening qualification at B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages unless they are exempt; and"

and here is the page from the amended rules for the 9th July this year.


http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/july/15-family-mig

Just passed halfway down the page you will see the paragraph that states that a B1 will come in to force in Oct 2013.

IELTS has a lowest mark of 4.0 that UKBA accepts even before the changes stated above. When I took the IELTS test July 2011, it showed in the approved UKBA tests that time that the lowest score they would accept for IELTS is 4.0. Other test providers give scores equivalent to A1 but IELTS doesn't. Regardless of the changes next year, the lowest score acceptable for IELTS is 4.0 which is equivalent to B1.

[freyter]

I would recommend that while A1 remains the minimum requirement, you opt for TOEIC which is much less taxing than IELTS. My wife failed IELTS in only one paper 3 times - reading, which isn't even necessary, but passed TOEIC speaking and listening in one.

[Michael Parnham]

Ielts 4

[BazJaz]

Thanks for all the comments, I've booked her back on the IELTS for December, there is no TOEIC test in Davao as far as I can find out, hence the British Council test was taken, and yes I agree it is a pain in the butt having to take all 4 tests when really only 2 are required, Also found out now that the workshops for the test are only conducted in Manila, so now I have a challenge on my hands to teach her how to write 150 and 250 words, even when I look at the tests - especially the writing, it scares me, so if my poor fiancee fails again this time I probably fly her to Manila to do the test, then fly her again to Manila to file the visa, then fly her again to Manila to get the "I'm gonna leave the Philippines Seminer exit stamp" Then fly her to the UK, some one lend me PHP100 please :smile:

[raynaputi]

Ask her to do a lot of practice..There are lots of practice test online..Just search it in Google. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Michael Parnham]

Your lady has only one trip to Manila, thats to Vfs to put in her 'visa' application. Everything else can be dealt with in Cebu, and her flight to uk from Davao (via Singapore Airlines- Silk Air).

[melovesengland]

Thanks for all the comments, I've booked her back on the IELTS for December, there is no TOEIC test in Davao as far as I can find out, hence the British Council test was taken, and yes I agree it is a pain in the butt having to take all 4 tests when really only 2 are required, Also found out now that the workshops for the test are only conducted in Manila, so now I have a challenge on my hands to teach her how to write 150 and 250 words, even when I look at the tests - especially the writing, it scares me, so if my poor fiancee fails again this time I probably fly her to Manila to do the test, then fly her again to Manila to file the visa, then fly her again to Manila to get the "I'm gonna leave the Philippines Seminer exit stamp" Then fly her to the UK, some one lend me PHP100 please :smile:

Before I took IELTS, I enroled me self in an IELTS Review Centre in Davao. I paid 13k for the 5 months review and 8k for the test. It worth it as I got a very good score after taking the test.

If she wants to go for a review then I would recommend that review centre. They will keep an eye on you all through out the process.

[Michael Parnham]

Novie, Maritess Ielts was p4500 for the review and p8000 for the test, why was your review p13000?

[melovesengland]

Novie, Maritess Ielts was p4500 for the review and p8000 for the test, why was your review p13000?

ohhh!! :omg::omg: I thought I have put the 5k for my review. hahahaha. It was 5k for my review michael and 8k for the test that makes its to 13k. Silly me. Sorry. :icon_lol::doh:biggrin:

[Michael Parnham]

Thankyou Novie, When are you going to arrange a meating with us?

[jlags90]

Thanks for all the comments, I've booked her back on the IELTS for December, there is no TOEIC test in Davao as far as I can find out, hence the British Council test was taken, and yes I agree it is a pain in the butt having to take all 4 tests when really only 2 are required, Also found out now that the workshops for the test are only conducted in Manila, so now I have a challenge on my hands to teach her how to write 150 and 250 words, even when I look at the tests - especially the writing, it scares me, so if my poor fiancee fails again this time I probably fly her to Manila to do the test, then fly her again to Manila to file the visa, then fly her again to Manila to get the "I'm gonna leave the Philippines Seminer exit stamp" Then fly her to the UK, some one lend me PHP100 please :smile:


Good luck to your fiancee - and to you :biggrin:. There are loads of online resources that would help her prepare for the test. Nothing is better than constant practise and patient feedback. I didn't study with a review centre as I don't want to splash loads of cash:biggrin:. But, I remember imposing a week of "English Speaking Dormitory":icon_lol:. Being on self-review, it is indeed difficult practising the writing task esp. if nobody is willing to check your work... I didn't do much writing task - as it seem to be boring.... :NoNo: