Several students have asked me whether it is easier to get a good IELTS score in other countries. They think UK examiners are strict. Other students think that examiners in Liverpool might be less strict than those in Manchester.
Of course, these rumours are not true. Firstly, your reading and listening papers are not marked by examiners at the test centre. Secondly, examiners are trained in the same way wherever they work. They follow a strict scoring system when assessing your writing and speaking. Finally, examiners are individuals who work alone; they don't have time to discuss or compare scores.
One factor will help you in the IELTS exam: confidence. If you take the exam in your own country, you will probably feel more confident. The exam isn't easier, it just feels easier.
Hi
I agree with you , more confident is important
Posted by: basheer | August 09, 2010 at 01:11
Thanks Basheer
Posted by: Simon | August 09, 2010 at 21:49
They follow a strict scoring system when assessing your writing and speaking. Finally, examiners are individuals who work alone; they don't have time to discuss or compare scores.
Posted by: cycling apparel | May 13, 2011 at 03:21
Exactly!
Posted by: Simon | May 13, 2011 at 12:34
I am sure it is very difficult to pass IELTS in UK. The examiners are very strict. I gave IELTS twice in my home country and both times without preparation I got 7.5 in writing and speaking.
Here in UK I have given IELTS 7 times and have also taken private tuition for IELTS but fail to score 7 in writing and speaking in one sitting. I have even scored 8 and 8.5 in writing and speaking but not in one sitting.
So now I am going back for a week to give IELTS in my home country.
Posted by: Ali | May 28, 2013 at 01:02
To be honest, I found taking test in the UK is much easier to take the tests in Asian countries. I was too desperate to get my Speaking 7.0 in the first hand, after I received my result from the UK with Speaking at 6.5. Hence I attempted a second time in Malaysia, guess what? My speaking rose to 7.0 finally and my writing consistently fell at 6.5 for the following 6 tests in Malaysia. I was so frustrated and went to take the test in Taiwan, guess what? My writing was 6.5 but my speaking was 7.0. It is such an irony that I found that IELTS is playing trick on my tests and I have never feel like changing my name in my life! The most important point is, in my last test, I was very confident that I will definitely score 7.0 for my writing. For my speaking, I am very confident that I could get more than 7.0 because I found my performance was much better than previous attempts which also gave me 6.5. I am so depressed and I really don't know what to do. How I wish I can turn back the time, and do as many attempts in the UK when I was still there in the first half of this year. :( God knows how much I love the UK and I shouldn't come back to Asia. *roll eyes*
Posted by: cherie | September 27, 2015 at 20:29
On top of that, my writing was at 7.0 when I took it in the UK. My friends also kind of agreed with me that, whilst you can, just take the test in the UK instead of Asian countries.
Posted by: cherie | September 27, 2015 at 20:31
but i have heard headphones are not provided for listening section in uk which can make alot of difference
Posted by: hazzy | December 25, 2016 at 12:06