The Plight of the Native English Speaker who needs to ace IELTS and PTE Academic.

It happens often, so many of us want the 10 or 20 points to apply for Skilled Independent Visas.

Points	English Language Proficiency Level	IELTS (GT or Academic)	PTE Academic
0	Competent	Min Band 6 for each of the 4 components	Minimum 50 for each of the 4 components
10	Proficient	Min Band 7 for each of the 4 components	Minimum 65 for each of the 4 components
20	Superior	Min Band 8 for each of the 4 components	Minimum 79 for each of the 4 components

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language and https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table

Professor Cat knows you're not going to ace it the first time around

How hard can it be, right? You’re a native English speaker. You can’t possibly get below 7 for any of the components. WRONG.

It happens all the time. Native English speakers book these tests without even the slightest inkling of what is required of them and it’s completely understandable. It only makes sense that someone who has spoken English their entire life would cruise through any English proficiency test.  

Why does this happen? Here's a fancy diagram to explain how a native English speaker gets low scores on English proficiency tests

How Native English Speakers Mess up Their IELTS/PTE Academic Scores

Lack of Familiarity with Academic or Formal English: While native speakers are fluent in everyday conversation, they might not be as familiar with the academic or formal language structures, vocabulary, and conventions that these tests often emphasize.

Limited Exposure to Test Format: Native speakers may not have encountered the specific formats and question types used in these tests, such as the various sections (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and the specific requirements for each.

Overconfidence: Wowza! This is REAL. Sometimes, native speakers can be overconfident about their language skills, assuming they will do well without much preparation. However, these tests often require specific strategies and practice, especially for non-routine tasks like academic writing or formal speaking.

Rob Schneider believes in you

Test-Taking Skills: Doing well on these tests often requires more than just language proficiency; it also involves understanding how the tests are structured, managing time effectively, and employing strategies to tackle different question types.

Lack of Preparation: HEAR THIS, NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER! Preparation can still significantly improve performance on these tests. It’s important to get familiar with the test format, practicing sample questions, and receiving feedback on performance can all make a difference.

Overall, while most native speakers have a natural advantage in language proficiency, targeted preparation and practice is still needed to perform well on these standardized English proficiency tests.

So now what? Before you book your test:

Before you book your test

 Engaging the services of a tutor (like myself) or even just getting feedback and advice from someone who is very familiar with the test will help you make adjustments and improvements before you sit for it.

So, really, there isn't an excuse for a native English speaker to not get the their desired score. You will get the score (and points!) you need but at what cost? How many times will you sit for the test? How much time and money do you have to spend before you reach your goal? Follow the steps above and hopefully you'll ace the test after just 1-2 attempts!

Good luck!

Love,

Reena