Just sharing my experience. Like everyone has been saying, you should take PTE instead of IELTS. Got superior on my first try. As for the exam itself, in my opinion, if you regularly use english at work both verbal and written, you have a good chance of acing it.
The only hardest part in the exam is the "re-tell lecture" and "describe image". But don't worry, the low scores you get there assuming you could barely construct a sensible sentence (like me during the exam), can be easily offset by the remaining parts which are way easier. Trust me. I didn't practice note taking for re-tell lectures nor memorised any template for describe image, I thought I could get away without them being comfortable enough in speaking english most of the time.
I never thought I would absolutely go dumb during the exam on those sections. Very few words came out of my mouth, often times I'd go "sht!, dmn!, f*ck! silently over the microphone. Several times I went completely blank and I just let the progress bar reach the end. You can imagine the frustration there.
After those two parts, the only thing going through my head was to finish the exam and to finish it quick and look forward to the next. I told myself I would definitely use templates next time and watch more youtube videos on how to handle the re-tell lecture part. I didn't even take the 10-minute break just to get it done and over with. "Sobrang ihing-ihi at gutom na, tiniis ko makauwi lang kagad sa sobrang badtrip! Bagsak na kung bagsak! Bawi na lang next time!"
I subscribed to apeuni app vip for 30 days 3 days before the exam and practised only several read aloud and repeat sentences (not a good way to spend P800 I know). Due to my circumstances, I didn't have enough time to prepare but the truth is, it was all my fault by not exerting enough effort on it.
Five days later comes the exam result. Lo and behold, I got superior and 90 on speaking! Is this a joke? I asked myself. The highest score I got was for speaking? Are you serious right now? After the exam, I remember looking at my erasable notepad and only saw 3 words I've written for the re-tell lecture. And here you are telling me I got 90? Oh well, like a great philosopher once said, "all is well that ends well".
These are not my tips but some things I remember I did during the exam. Could be useful to you. Hopefully. Who knows?
I answered quickly as I could. I never looked at the timer except for the essay part. I clicked on the next button as soon as I was confident with my answer. Partly I guess because of what I narrated above.
In the multiple choice multiple answer, I didn't bother limiting my answers to just one as opposed to some people advising otherwise to avoid the right answer being negated by the wrong one. If you know the answers, be confident. It's basic english. Answer at will. Don't worry too much.
I wrote 4 paragraphs in my essay. 1 Intro, 2 arguments (each with for and against), and 1 conclusion. Very lame arguments if you'd ask me. It's like a grade school student trying to explain something to an adult.
To be honest, the only key takeaway I am confident to share with you all is this. Like in all things in life, don't worry too much! Hakuna Matata! Was it timon or pumba who said it? Never mind. In other words, the less you worry about the exam result or the amount of money you'll spend or already have, the more comfortable you'll be during the exam.
Set your mindset that you'll definitely pass the exam. That one day while sitting with friends and families in your Australian residence, you'll look back and tell yourself, "all my hard work paid off". Don't forget to thank the Lord. It will happen. Pray and practice!
