The IELTS Test Day Experience

by IDP

In the final installment of our three-part series we will share what to expect on the day of the test.
Following the International Education Language Testing System (IELTS) overview and IELTS preparation information we shared in parts one and two, we want to make sure you are ready for the big day. Keep in mind that the purpose of IELTS is to measure your English language level. If you have gone through the necessary steps to prepare for the test, then your experience should go smoothly with the support of the professional test day staff and examiners.

What can I expect when I arrive to take the test?

IELTS is a high stakes test and the staff who administer it take it very seriously. The test day staff have been trained to make your IELTS experience as comfortable as possible. Because the results are highly regarded by so many institutions and organizations, it needs to be very secure. There are many security protocols to follow which includes:
  • Personnel have been specifically trained in facial feature recognition, so they will carefully examine your face with your identification photo.
  • Finger scans will be taken at the entrance of the test room and will be matched each time you leave and return.
  • Your photograph will be taken by IELTS test day personnel and it will be shown with your test report form to receiving organizations
The reason for such high-security measures is to maintain the validity and integrity of the test scores by ensuring against fraud and cheating. Images of the finger scans are not stored and photographs will be used only for the purpose of the IELTS test. You can be assured that the security procedures are in place for your benefit as they allow for test results to be highly regarded by the receiving organization.

What do I need to bring on test day?

  • The exact same valid ID you used to book the test—your passport or permanent resident card
  • Your confirmation email
  • 2 HB or #2 pencils
  • Clear bottle of water with the label removed (optional)

What items are not allowed into the test room?

  • Any electronic device—watch, calculator, etc.
  • Your cell phone—even if it is turned off!
  • Additional pieces of paper
  • Food
  • Any item that is not on the approved list

Am I allowed to leave the test area?

Yes. You will be allowed to go to the restroom during the test. You will also have a break before the speaking part of the test. The length of the break will vary depending on the scheduled time of your speaking exam.

Who will be with me during the test?

  • The test-day personnel are there to support you if you have any questions on test day.
  • The listening, reading, and writing portions of the test are conducted in a group setting.
  • The invigilation staff (those staff members who are there to watch those taking the exam) will give you instructions and lead you through these sections.
  • The speaking portion of the test is done one-on-one with a professional speaking examiner (the speaking examiner will give you instructions and ask you questions during this portion of the test).
What can I expect during the speaking portion of the test?
  • Professionalism—speaking examiners have undergone a rigorous training process.
  • Friendliness—speaking examiners will be neutral, but will be polite and friendly.
  • Your speaking interview will be recorded for monitoring purposes.
  • The speaking section is 11-14 minutes long—examiners are required to adhere to the time limits for each of the three sections.
    • In part one, you will be asked questions about yourself.
    • In part two, you will be required to speak for two minutes on a topic chosen by the examiner.
    • In part three, you will have a conversation with the examiner.
  • Examiners will remain neutral about your performance and cannot give you feedback about how you did.

How will I get my results?

  • Unofficial results are available online 13 days after the test.
  • Centres will also mail your results 13 days after the test.
  • Test results may also be picked up in person with your passport or permanent resident card.
  • If someone is picking up the results on your behalf, they must have your original identification and a letter from you specifying that they are authorized to pick up the test results.
  • Results are listed on a Test Report Form (TRF).
  • TRFs list sub-scores for listening, reading, writing, and speaking as well as an overall score which is the average from the four sections.
  • You will receive one TRF, but you may request a second copy if you are using the results for immigration purposes.
  • For tests that have taken place within the last 30 days, up to five additional TRFs may be sent to recognizing organizations at no cost.
  • A fee may be charged for additional TRFs to be sent out if the test occurred outside of the 30-day limitation.
  • TRFs may be sent by courier at an additional cost (contact your centre for more info).
  • You may request a review of your scores within six weeks of the test date at an additional cost.
The IELTS test is exactly the same around the world. There should be no surprises as long as you have a good grasp of the English language, prepare well in advance, and follow the instructions for test day.
Reading this blog post series, checking the links, and visiting the preparation section of ieltscanadatest.com indicates that you have a great attitude toward success.

Good luck on test day!

Source: WES.org

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Working in construction jobs in Canada

by 

Are you thinking about working in construction jobs in Canada? If so, Canada needs your skills and experience for many great skilled trades jobs!
Canada has a high demand for skilled tradespeople for many large-scale building and infrastructure projects. So to understand what’s happening in construction, we’ll look at four important things to know about the industry including:  
  1. An overview of the industry
2. Construction credentials and certifications required in Canada
3. The job outlook for construction jobs
4. Labour market conditions for construction jobs in Canada: 2017 – 2026
The outlook for construction jobs is strong with many possibilities. And, the industry is growing so you can build a great career in skilled trades.
In fact, the industry is facing a labour shortage. And that’s because it’s expected that 21% of construction workers will retire over the next decade. As a result, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is working with the federal government to invest in programs to attract new Canadians. So, skilled trades are an excellent career opportunity for new Canadians.
To work in construction jobs in Canada, it’s important to understand what’s required before you arrive. When you know what’s required, you’ll be in a better position to land a construction job. 
For example, if your trade is regulated in the province or territory where you plan to live, you will need to:
  • Get a license or certificate
  • Register with the provincial or territorial regulatory body to work in your trade-in Canada.

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1. An overview of the construction industry in Canada


In Canada, the construction industry employs 1.4 million people, and it is one of the leading sources of employment in Canada. The industry has two primary sectors:
  1. Residential construction
2. Non-residential construction (institutional, industrial, commercial) 

Construction sectors in Canada

Residential construction sector


Work in the residential sector includes both new home building and home renovation. And, employers in residential construction are typical:
  1. New home builders and renovation contractors who hire tradespeople on staff
2. Trade contractors that specialize in a specific area such as plumbing contractors or heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors. 
There are many opportunities in residential construction across Canada. But, some regions more active than others. So, it’s important to research job demand at the national, provincial, and local levels.

new home building and renovation



Non-residential construction sector (Industrial, Institutional & commercial, Engineering)

Industrial construction


Within industrial construction, there are many large, resource-based construction projects on the rise all across the country.
While industrial projects are planned in all provinces and territories, here are some examples of projects taking place across Canada:
Industrial projects in Canada

Institutional and commercial construction:

Institutional construction is an important type of building work. It refers to building structures that play a vital role in communities related to:
  • Healthcare
  • Public works
  • Education
  • Recreation
Construction workers in this sector can build anything from hospitals and elementary schools to athletic centers and universities.
Within commercial construction, some of the main activities include constructing:
  • Office buildings
  • Hotel and entertainment buildings (gyms, cinemas, and arenas)
  • Retail stores and shopping centers
Mainly, general contractors or project managers are responsible for new constructions, additions, maintenance and repair of commercial buildings.

shopping center construction

Engineering construction:


Engineering construction provides core infrastructure and essential services that keep communities running well. This includes building:
  • Bridges
  • Highways
  • Roads and mass transit systems

engineering projects in Canada

The engineering construction sector also installs essential services such as water treatment systems, and power and communication lines.

2. Training and certification to work in construction jobs 


The skilled trades are regulated by each province and territory in Canada. And, you may need a license or certificate to work in your trade in Canada. But, not all trades require a license. Find out what license you may need by clicking on the links below (see section: Find out how to get certified to work in your trade in Canada).
People start their career in the skilled trades by starting as an apprentice. An apprenticeship provides people who are interested in skilled trade with:
  • On-the-job training
  • In-class technical training
And, you get paid to take classes and learn the trade from an experienced worker. 
But, developing skilled tradespeople can often take years. So to meet the labour shortage, Canada will rely on experienced tradespeople from outside of Canada.

Canada needs your skills and experience 


If  you have experience in a trade from another country, you can complete a Trade Equivalency Assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to look at your:
  • past training 
  • work experience 
  • Level of education
  • Level of language ability
And, based on your previous work experience you may be qualified to write the Certificate of Qualification exam. This exam is a test of your knowledge, competence, and performance of important tasks in your trade. 

3. Outlook for construction jobs in Canada


Trades jobs are essential to the Canadian economy. And, construction is one of the leading sources of employment growth in Canada. As well, that growth is expected to continue over the next decade.
Many employers accept applications from experienced tradespeople from around the world. But, the outlook for construction jobs in Canada varies depending on:
  • the province or territory where you expect to land
  • And, your specific trade.
So, it’s important to research the job outlook for your trade. For example, the provincial job market for carpenters may be good in one province but limited in another province. 

Related Posts:

So, you need to find out where jobs exists, or where there may be a surplus of jobs. Also, research the trends in the construction industry and what they will mean for you. For example, do you need to upgrade your skills, or obtain additional qualifications?
To learn more about working in your trade in Canada, click on the links for information about wages, outlook, and requirements. The following are some of the trades jobs that are most needed in Canada.

4. Labour market conditions for jobs: 2017 – 2026

The outlook for construction jobs in Canada varies depending on:
  • the province or territory
  • Type of construction job

The Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) develops national labour supply and demand projections for different occupational groups. This labour market assessment identifies market conditions for the period 2017 – 2026 for various trades jobs in Canada. 
Definition of labour market conditions:
The COPS research predicts if the construction labour market will experience a: 
Shortage: number of job seekers is insufficient to fill job openings
Balance: number of job seekers and job openings are fairly even
Surplus: number of job seekers exceeds job openings

Summary of national findings for carpenter jobs

Among other findings, the COPS research revealed: 
  • The job demand for carpenters will be balanced from 2017 – 2026
  • Job demand will arise from growth and replacement of existing workers

To find similar information for over 50 different trades jobs in Canada, you can click this link, and type the title of your occupation in the search bar.

Find out how to get certified to work in your trade in Canada 


If your trade is regulated by the province or territory, you may need to get a licence or certificate to work. But, not all trades are regulated.
Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies: 
  • Set the licensing standards and requirements 
  • Assess workers’ qualifications
  • Issue licenses when standards have been met.

To find out if your trade is regulated in Canada, visit the provincial regulatory body where you intend to land: 

Provinces 
Alberta  Ι   British Columbia   Ι   Manitoba  Ι   New Brunswick  Î™   Newfoundland & Labrador 

Nova Scotia  Î™   Ontario  Î™   Prince Edward Island  Î™   Quebec  Ι   Saskatchewan

Territories

Northwest Territories    Ι   Nunavut    Ι   Yukon

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