Have you ever heard of ICAS for English?

[NinaZara]

Hello,

My sister just took the International Competitions and Assessments for English equivalent to Grade 11 in Australia. It seemed difficult and she is very worried.

Have you ever heard of the test? And what do English teachers on this forum think about the test?

Nina

[Nicholas]

Hi there,

I've never heard of "ICAS" for English at all. What were the things of English your sister were asked during the test.

Ask your sister to be calm first. Hope she will have another chance to take it if the result isn't good.
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Nicholas

[Torsten]

Hi Nina,

It's best if your sister goes through these sample test papers so she'll get an idea of what the test is like.

Your sister should keep in my mind that there is only one "English test" that really counts and she has to learn to master it.

TOEIC listening, photographs: Relaxing in a hammock

[Diverhank]

I'm not a teacher but I'll give my opinion anyway :). The tests are of medium or high difficulty for high school level ESL students since the essays are written in such an informal colloquial way non-native students may have some trouble with. I think they are pretty easy for native English speakers

[NinaZara]

Thank you all.

She hasn't received the results but she has also taken IELTS and we just got her results and she is Band 7.5.

She got 9 for writing, 6 for listening and 7.5 for reading.

I think she has done quite well but she is not happy with the results. Well, there is always room for improvement.

Oh yes, Torsten. I have told her the same thing but she has already taken the test. Next time, perhaps. :wink: Thanks!

[Nicholas]

That's great, 9 for writing. How did she manage it? :) How about speaking?
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Nicholas

[NinaZara]

I have to make a correction. My sister didn't get 7.5 for reading, she got 8. I was driving at that time, I think, and didn't pay much attention. Also, she told me she didn't take the speaking test.

I'm guessing the school was just preparing them for the real one she is taking in November, if I were not mistaken. Sorry guys.

And Nicholas, she reads alot. She wins the Avid Reader award every month at her school. She is not much of a speaker. She and I are like the sky and the ground.

Anyway, she's into guitar and piano, so she reads a lot of imported magazines on music and mostly rock bands. She also reads the Penguin Classic books. Plus, except for the Malay Language subject, she learns everything in English at school.