My wife failed her English test

[blackcat22]

well, I asked my wife to ask for the exam fees over the phone but my wife said hopkins won't tell her the fees over the phone and instead asked her to come into their office so they can explain the fees to her which I found a bit odd. Considering my wife has to travel long distance to go to their office in Manila.

looks like hopkins are setting their exam fees based on what you're wearing when you enter their office door i.e if you came in wearing GUCCI label then your exam fees is higher than someone wearing no label at all.

[Steve.r]

Actually Blackcat, it does clearly state on their website about the cost of each test.

http://www.hopkins.ph/about-toeic-li...ng-and-reading

[blackcat22]

Actually Blackcat, it does clearly state on their website about the cost of each test.

http://www.hopkins.ph/about-toeic-li...ng-and-reading

Yep, I saw also they posted fees on their site after she has already made the journey into their office.

Still odd why they didn't refer her to the website when she ask for exam fees but instead asked her to come into the office.

[Steve.r]

so has she rebooked now ?

[mendoza82]

hello steve r.how are you doing? hmm just wondering how long to wait for the test result?and is it ok if i take the test before i change my surname on my passport?thanks in advance..

[angellegwen]

well, I asked my wife to ask for the exam fees over the phone but my wife said hopkins won't tell her the fees over the phone and instead asked her to come into their office so they can explain the fees to her which I found a bit odd. Considering my wife has to travel long distance to go to their office in Manila.

Hi Blackcat22,

If your wife thinks travelling to hopkins office is a long distance to where she lives, then what happens when she have to go there and attends for her review or practice? Unless you'll choose the online practice.

[blackcat22]

Hi Blackcat22,

If your wife thinks travelling to hopkins office is a long distance to where she lives, then what happens when she have to go there and attends for her review or practice? Unless you'll choose the online practice.

Hopkins don't have online practice or reviews classroom teaching. They only selling course materials on book and CD-rom to buy total 3,000 php extra

yep rebooked for february.

[angellegwen]

Hopkins don't have online practice or reviews classroom teaching. They only selling course materials on book and CD-rom to buy total 3,000 php extra

yep rebooked for febuary.

Blackcat i tried contact@ielts4u.net its online and i used it on my IELTS test review. Check the site...

[melovesengland]

if prices of english test matters much i would suggest u to do toeic in hopkins as ielts is more costy. like what u said 5k for the test and 3k for the review materials, unlike ielts 8.6k for the test with four components to do plus another couple of grand if she will wish to enrol in a review centre but she can use online study to cut down the cost. even so, ielts is dearer still.

i am an ielts passer but i recommend to do english test in hopkins, by then she will miss writing that toeic havent.

when it comes to transport from where ur gf lives and hopkins, i am afraid to say that she needs to travel to do her practise or exam everyday unless she can find somewhere to stay that is nearer hopkins at the moment. Anyway, vfs and hopkins if im not mistaken is in the same city so its more convenient for her to lodge her app when ready.

she hasnt got any choice at the moment but to travel if she wants to pass her english test.

best of luck and wishing both of you the best.

[Arthur Little]

best of luck and wishing both of you the best.

Together with Novie ... I'd like to take this opportunity of wishing you both every success in your endeavours.

[filbrit]

Hopkins don't have online practice or reviews classroom teaching. They only selling course materials on book and CD-rom to buy total 3,000 php extra

yep rebooked for febuary.

Hi Blackcat22, I also took my test in Hopkins (Makati).

I asked my friend to call their office earlier. The lady confirmed they still conduct the 1-day workshop. I attended that two days before my test last year which made me more confident. As the test is time-pressured, I was only focused in answering the questions which saved me a lot of time because I already knew what to do. During my workshop, there were some who were having a hard time in answering the questions and delivering the speaking sample test but the Hopkins staff were very accommodating and helpful.

I didn't buy the Hopkins' reviewer so I can only say that the workshop is very effective also. From tips and techniques shared by the Facilitator, your wife will also have a feel of what/how the test is going to be like. If she will attend the workshop, tell her not to be shy, feel free to ask as many questions and participate in the discussion.

Wishing your wife all the best! God bless her.

[filbrit]

hello steve r.how are you doing?hmm just wondering how long to wait for the test result?and is it ok if i take the test before i change my surname on my passport?thanks in advance..

The Hopkins lady who talked to my friend over the phone earlier should be correct by saying that test results for the TOEIC L&R are released after one week whereas that of the TOEIC Speaking-only are for a maximum period of 15 working days. For those who won't be able to personally pick-up their score report, they recommend paying the local mailing fee.

[McGregor03]

well, I asked my wife to ask for the exam fees over the phone but my wife said hopkins won't tell her the fees over the phone and instead asked her to come into their office so they can explain the fees to her which I found a bit odd. Considering my wife has to travel long distance to go to their office in Manila.

looks like hopkins are setting their exam fees based on what you're wearing when you enter their office door i.e if you came in wearing GUCCI label then your exam fees is higher than someone wearing no label at all.

Hey blackcat22, I called them once too and yup they won't tell u how much does it cost but instead they want u to visit their site and go to calendar and click the date when u want to take the exam and the details are there...

[Bikramyogi]

Hi all!

Just to share when I took my IELTS exam (which reminds me I have to take it again), I needed at least a band 7 for nursing qualifications. My advice is, you don't really need to spend so much for review materials on IELTs. There are so many websites on the internet which offer free IELTS practice and they have been helpful to me. I used Cambridge practice materials 1-8 https://www.cambridge.org/. I concentrated on just one publisher as the more books you read the more you get confused as they all give different opinions on what to do on the test. While I was over in Manila I joined Niners which has different review venues all over the city . I only paid Php 5000 for unlimited sessions until you are ready and confident to take the test. They do have good materials and good reviewers and you will learn a lot from them. At the end of the day, practice still makes perfect. The amount of time you spend on studying in all categories will will be reflected on your band score.

Goodluck!

[melovesengland]

Hi all!

Just to share when I took my IELTS exam (which reminds me I have to take it again), I needed at least a band 7 for nursing qualifications. My advice is, you don't really need to spend so much for review materials on IELTs. There are so many websites on the internet which offer free IELTS practice and they have been helpful to me. I used Cambridge practice materials 1-8 https://www.cambridge.org/. I concentrated on just one publisher as the more books you read the more you get confused as they all give different opinions on what to do on the test. While I was over in Manila I joined Niners which has different review venues all over the city . I only paid Php 5000 for unlimited sessions until you are ready and confident to take the test. They do have good materials and good reviewers and you will learn a lot from them. At the end of the day, practice still makes perfect. The amount of time you spend on studying in all categories will will be reflected on your band score.

Goodluck!

I passed IELTS last year and I also joined a 5 month workshop beforehand which cost me 13k for both but didnt regret the money Ive spent at all as I got good grades after all and it made me more confident enough to take the test itself but I have to agree with you that there are loads of way to learn and practise english online. I suppose it depends on how quick the person can pick things up easily and how high the confidence they have.

Moneywise, I will go for TOEIC in hopkins. Its reliable, tested and proven plus cheaper than IELTS. Loads of choices out there, you just got to balance which is which.

[Terpe]

An important issue to think about these days is that of test certificate validity/expiration.

The new 'out-of-country settlement' visa are now valid for 33 months. The IELTS test certificates are only valid for 24 months. Means you will need to fork out for another one when making visa application in UK

Food for thought.

[raynaputi]

An important issue to think about these days is that of test certificate validity/expiration.

The new 'out-of-country settlement' visa are now valid for 33 months. The IELTS test certificates are only valid for 24 months. Means you will need to fork out for another one when making visa application in UK

Food for thought.

Are there any English tests available in the Philippines that doesn't have expiration? I checked the list on UKBA and even TOEIC has 2 years validity. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...lish-tests.pdf

[Terpe]

Are there any English tests available in the Philippines that doesn't have expiration? I checked the list on UKBA and even TOEIC has 2 years validity. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...lish-tests.pdf

Looks like there are a few on the listing, but not that many of the popular tests.
Maybe a new listing will emerge soon with a few more as the B1 level will soon come into play.

[blackcat22]

HURRAY!!! Have some good news!!

My wife received result of her english test from hopkins today and she passed at 2nd attempt.

My wife lates scroe are:

Speaking: 120 out of 200 ( 5.0 score)
Listening: 270 out of 495 (5.0 score)
Reading: 220 out of 495 ( 4.0 score? perhaps) - Also noted reading is NOT required

I'm heading out to manila this weekend for 2 months as my wife is 2 months pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness.

I will now be applying her spouse VISA next week and hopefully we get result within the 2 months period I will be over there.

Now my question is< how can I use her pregnancy favourable in our Spouse VISA application? Do I need to go for DNA test in manila and attach result to VISA application to prove I'm the father?


Thanks all for all your great advice

[Dedworth]

Well done Mrs Blackcat - more light at the end of the tunnel

[BoholoX]

Congratulations blackcat on both fronts.

Not sure a DNA test will be much use to an unborn though? Proof of being in the same room at the time of conception maybe better. I think its around 32-36 weeks that the airlines give a cut-off for no flying?

[Terpe]

Congrats to Mrs Blackcat

I'm not sure what you mean about using the pregnancy as favourable? What's on your mind?

[Steve.r]

May I offer my congratualtions on both fronts Blackcat, great news. The only thing you need to prove about your baby for the child's passport is that you were present in the country for conception. They need your passport to check the stamps and count back.
Have a great time in Phils, my wife too is pregnant and luckily she has been with me here in China during her sickness period, although she still gets it now at 4 months. I might even make it back to Phils myself between contracts, if so maybe we can meet up for a red horse or two The girls can have a mineral water

[blackcat22]

May I offer my congratualtions on both fronts Blackcat, great news. The only thing you need to prove about your baby for the child's passport is that you were present in the country for conception. They need your passport to check the stamps and count back.
Have a great time in Phils, my wife too is pregnant and luckily she has been with me here in China during her sickness period, although she still gets it now at 4 months. I might even make it back to Phils myself between contracts, if so maybe we can meet up for a red horse or two The girls can have a mineral water

Thank you all for for congratulatory messages
I was just hoping that evidence of pregnancy will prove to UKBA beyond doubt that the marriage is genuine that's all. I'll still have to supply document to prove my finance the normal way.

yea sure steve, always available to meet up with fellow brits over there. inbox me your contact number so can keep intouch from there.

Surprisingly I got a really cheap one bed condo in makati from expedia for only 950 pesos per day!! I was shocked it was so cheap so checked up on reviews on it from people who stayed there on tripadviser but the only petty complain I found are people complaining there is no towels or no toilet rolls in bathroom etc.. lol. so I booked it and yea so I'll be there for first 16 days of my stay then move to another condo in quezon city to finish off rest of my 2 months stay returning home on end of April.


Wow!! Thank God all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle is now fitting together nicely.

It will truly be amazing miracle if I can bring my wife back home with me in England at end of April. fingers crossed