The long-awaited results of our IELTS test I was writing quite a bit about are finally on the table, unwrapped…

They look great with all these watermarks around, but what makes them really shine is the marks. Kate, and she was studying the language for only two years from ground zero, got 4.5 (Listening), 5.5 (Reading), 6 (Writing) and 5 (Speaking) which averages at 5.5. I got my fair 8.5 (Listening), 8.5 (Reading), 8 (Writing) and 7 (Speaking) with the average of 8.0.

The IELTS scale is from 0 (Did not attempt) to 9 (Expert user). Below is the detailed explanation of what each grade means.

9 Expert User

Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

8 Very Good User

Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

7 Good User

Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6 Competent User

Have generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

5 Modest User

Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

4 Limited User

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in use of complex language.

3 Extremely Limited User

Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

2 Intermittent User

No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1 Non User

Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

0 Did not attempt

No assessable information provided. Candidate may have failed to sit for the test

I checked with current regulations, and it seems I need only 5/5/5/5 to be eligible for application, and for 6/6/6/6 I even get some little bonus. Kate still needs the average above 4.5. As we all see, the life is great and with our marks we can do two immigrations in a row. The marks are valid for a one-year period, so I have to keep a good pace not to expire them before the actual application.

Yesterday we visited the Linguist Center, where we were learning and polishing the language all this time before the test, to thank everybody with champagne and flowers. They did a terrific job there and should be proud of themselves! We all did, and especially Kate, who showed extreme determination and diligence. I’m truly proud of you, Kate!

Fine, the next move is skills assessment. I will be sending the recommendations I collected over the years to the ACS to confirm that I am an experienced programmer. They will be giving calls to all / some of the people I mention to have their opinion from first hands.

It’s a lengthy process, and I don’t really want to make it longer with my mistakes in documentation, that’s why I’m looking for a good immigration agent to take over the routine. So far, my focus is on Wib-immigration.com which is a Sydney-based MIA (Migration Institute of Australia) and MARA certified immigration agency that is very flexible with prices and the services package. I filled their free Skilled Immigration assessment form with all details and expecting the answer soon. We’ll see if it works out.

And by the way, the comments are open for congratulations. I’ll keep you posted!

Comments from the past

Denis Savchenko Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 22:28

Congratulations, Alex and Kate! I am really glad to hear this news and I wish you good luck for all your way to Australia - let’s hope that the hardest steps are behind :) Congrartulations again!

Aleksey Gureev Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 23:22

Wow. That’s really unexpected. :) Thanks, Denis!

Hope you are well. Haven’t seen / heard from you for a looonggg while.

Markus Merz Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 13:25

And by the way, the comments are open for congratulations. I’ll keep you posted!

Who can resist such an invitation :-)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Aleksey Gureev Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 13:39

Thanks Markus! :)

I’m in the middle of something crazy right now — collecting reference letters from present and past employers. All references are to come from the US, and I’m quite a bit nervous. There have to be no mistakes in them as it promises to take awful lot of time and cash to get them here, while I’m limited by a year during which my IELTS exams are valid. This year is for collecting all the necessary materials, passing skills assessment in ACS (Sydney) and lodge the visa application. If I run out of time, we have to pass the IELTS exam again, which isn’t a dream time investment.

Thanks for support! I think I have no other choice but make it eventually, now. :)