English proficiency examinations – sounds easy, yet the reality, it is a test of great challenge to any non-native English speakers. In countries like Australia, understanding and speaking the English language is very important to non-native English speakers. Finding a job will be very difficult and communication is a big problem when somebody is not familiar with the English language. This is the very reason why Australian immigration requires an English proficiency examination like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET) to their visa applicants.
The IELTS is a paper-based examination where one is gauged on how good they are in the English language through different tasks from English’s course skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. On the other hand, OET is a language test designed for health professionals. The test evaluates the candidate’s language and communication skills of healthcare professionals who want to register and practise on their field of expertise in an English-speaking work environment. The OET is offered to the following professions: dentistry, pharmacy, dietetics, medicine, physiotherapy, podiatry, nursing, radiography, occupational therapy, speech pathology, optometry, and veterinary medicine.
Good news to non-native English speakers, Australia will now be accepting language scores from Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). Starting on November 2014, applicants can submit test scores from the two examinations for visa applications. Actually, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are already accepted for student visa applicants. On November 2014, applications for visa subclasses from Temporary Graduate, Skilled and Work Holiday visa can have the two tests as proof of English proficiency.
Other visa categories now also accept TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic: Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, Business Innovation and Investment (provisional), Skilled-Independent, Skilled-Nominated, Work and Holiday (temporary, Skilled – Recognized Graduate and Temporary Graduate. With these option of using TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, candidates will be able to find it easier to choose a test which has a test center in their own country. Candidates are given options which they can choose from depending on the availability of test schedules.
Candidates can now choose which test they can take. However, candidates have to keep in mind that whatever test they choose, a great deal of preparation is needed. It is recommended to review for these examinations – whether alone or with English review centers – to hit the target scores of these examinations. The key in getting a successful score in any English proficiency examinations is the amount of training and practice one gets before taking the exam.
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