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GET READY FOR ENGLISH TEST By Lance Fee,Director Live Downunder UK THE changes announced for the new skills visas to Australia that come into effect on September 1 this year will result in many UK visa seekers being required to sit for an English test regardless of the fact that English is their native language. The reason for this lies with the new points test that applies from the same date. Under the previous arrangements a native English speaker would automatically be entitled to 20 points, but under the new system the automatic points score will be 15. However if you sit for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test and score seven points across the four categories of speaking, listening, reading and writing, you will be entitled to claim 25 points for language. This gives an added five points to many, but those who could previously claim 15 points for family sponsorship, and those looking at the five bonus points for investing A$100k for 12 months, both options to be removed after 1 September, will only achieve the same points as previously, providing they sit the English test. The British Council throughout the world runs the IELTS test and there are centres in most University towns around the UK. The catch is that if you need to sit one to score those extra points you had better look at making a booking soon as most centres are heavily booked, many for three or four months in advance. Once you have taken the test the results are valid for two years, to locate the centre closest to you go to http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx, and type in the United Kingdom at location. |
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