PTE or IELTS – Hear our voice before you make your choice

For years English proficiency tests have been a source of anxiety for potential students, who wish to attain the finest education from universities abroad. Both the TOEFL and the IELTS have been around for decades. Minor tweaks in their testing systems over the years have made them more efficient, but not less daunting. However, there is a new test… an improved test, if I might add, in the English testing department. It is the Pearson’s Test of English! It is fair to say that this test is revolutionizing the approach to assessing the linguistic ability of a student.

The PTE Academic is gaining rapid recognition amongst students who intend to attain the required score on their first attempt. The test is designed to thoroughly evaluate the literacy of a student, while keeping it simple.

Below is a list of the differences between IELTS and PTE:

Acceptance: As mentioned earlier, PTE is a relatively new test. However, its acceptance in IV league Universities such as Harvard and Yale speaks volumes about its rapid growth. PTE Academic is also approved by the Australian Government for Visa applications. IELTS, on the other hand, is widely recognized by European Universities.

Testing Method: It is only natural for students to be apprehensive about the speaking section of an English test.  This fear is generally due to the presence of a personal examiner. With the PTE you will not have a face to face meeting with a person. Instead, you will speak into a microphone, which will record your speech and forward it for evaluation. Students tend to prefer this method of testing.

Delivery of results: Results of the Pearson’s Test of English are available to students within 5 working days, whereas IELTS results take 2 weeks to dispatch.

Accuracy: The accuracy of results for Pearson Test of English is unparalleled, owing to the exclusive use of computers for testing. An aptly programmed machine is unbiased and unerring.

Cost: English proficiency tests are far from cheap. Therefore, it is essential to consider the pricing of these tests before you take your pick.  The cost of IELTS is Rs. 11,100, as compared to the PTE Academic which is priced at Rs.10,990. However, if you buy a PTE voucher from any AECC Global branch in India you will receive a 10% discount on the market price, bringing your total expenditure down to Rs. 9,810. 

How to improve your PR eligibility as an ICT profession? Here is what you need to know

Australia has one of the largest information and communications technology (ICT) industries. The ICT industry includes telecommunications services; analysis and business services; computer software etc. The fact that ICT occupations are in high demand brings great opportunities for ICT professions seeking to live, work and do business in Australia. Want to find out what ways are available for an ICT profession to increase chance of getting permanent residency, here is what you need to know.

Boost Your English Test Score with Pearson Test of English

Although there are many English test that has been recognised by Australia Immigration Department such as IELTS, OET or TOFEL etc. Pearson Test of English (PTE) has been identified as the most favorable English test among international students and prospective immigrants. With English Level that higher than competent English (PTE score 50 or equivalent) will help you to boost up to 20 points towards your PR application.

Complete a Professional Year in IT Program

The Professional Year in IT was developed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) to enable ICT graduates to achieve their career goals and overcome obstacles to employment by obtaining the knowledge, skills and work experience that employers are looking for in Australia workplace. Moreover, a participant will be awarded 5 migration points under the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) on successful completion of a Professional Year Program.

Apply for Visa Nomination

Most of the state or territory government in Australia offers nomination to selected ICT specialists. State nomination provides support for your visa application to assist in meeting the requirements for skilled visas. Upon successfully nominated by a state government will not only give you extra 5-10 migration points, but also render your application as high priority for turnaround purpose.

To Summarise

Considering the high competition in the Australian visa application pool, trying to achieve a higher level of English might be a good way to boost the chance of qualifying for your visa application. We hope this blog can bring you some ideas and if you wish to find out what PTE academic is really like, try one of our free PTE training session and familiarize yourself with the test format in no time.

How to increase points for PR as an Engineer? Here is what you need to know

When it comes to Australia immigration, technicians and skilled workers are always at a huge advantage.  Engineering professions have been a major group of the Skilled Visa applicants in the Migration Programme with 27 occupations listed on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL). The Australia government has also made numbers of changes to benefit prospective engineering immigration. Sneak Peek into these must know facts which gives you the answers on how to increase points for PR as a Engineering profession.

Get Nominated By a State/Territory Government

What can greatly improve your migration points is through a state nomination. Not only can a state nomination give you extra 5-10 migration, but also render your application as high priority for turnaround purpose.

Obtain a Professional Year in Engineering Certificate

The Professional Year in Engineering was developed by Engineering Education Australia (EEA) to enable engineering graduates to overcome obstacles to employment by providing knowledge, skills and workplace experience that required by the Australian employers. Upon completing the program, you will be rewarded with 5 migration points towards your permanent residency in Australia.

Develop Your English Language Proficiency

One of the best way to increase your change of qualifying for skilled migration is to get an English level higher than competent English(PTE 50 or equivalent). With English level that are either proficient (PTE 65 or equivalent) or Superior, it will add 10 points and 20 points respectively towards your migration points. Although there are different English test that are available and being recognised for visa application, PTE exam has been considered as the most favorable one among International students due to its fast result and flexible test dates etc. For those who wish to take PTE exam, remember AECC Global is an official PTE voucher re-seller authorized by PTE Academic in Australia and offer a flat 10% off on your PTE Academic test.

There are also many other factors which may help to increase points if applicable such as a relative who is currently residing in Australia or a partner with skills qualification etc. If you would like to know more about how you can qualify for migration to Australia as an Engineering profession, contact AECC Global to get all your question answered.

Three Things to Ask about Engineering Migrations to Australia

Getting an Australian Permanent Residency is a long and complex process, there are many steps in applying for a general skilled migration visa to Australia especially for engineering graduates which can be very confusing sometimes. Here are three key questions that might help you to have a better understanding about Engineering Migration to Australia.

1) Can I apply for Permanent Residency after my Postgraduate Engineering degree in Australia?

Yes you can. But you will need to get your undergraduate degree assessed and approved for a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia. In most cases, only a few Australian postgraduate degrees are fully accredited for a positive skills assessment. Thus your assessment will be based primarily on the undergraduate degree and Competencies Demonstrated Report.  Once Engineers Australia issues a positive skills assessment, you will be able to claim points from your Australian education and nominated as an Engineering profession on the Skilled Occupations List.

2) What is the English requirement for applying skills assessment and permanent residency visas?

The threshold English requirements for skilled migration visas is Competent English with up to 3 years test result validity, and any score above competent English will attract extra migration points. For skill assessment purpose, IELTS and TOEFL iBT are the only two test results accepted by Engineers Australia with 2 years old validity from the date of application. Checkout the Migration Skills Assessment Booklet for specific details on assessment requirement.

3) How to increase points for PR as an Engineering graduates?

There are many different pathways that can help to improve your chances of getting a permanent residency in Australia including completion of a Professional Year in Engineering Program, getting nomination from a state/territory government or achieving a higher score in PTE exam/IELTS/TOFEL etc. You can receive 5 points for having completed a professional year in Australia in the four years before you were invited to apply a skilled visa. Similarly, up to 10 migration points can be awarded for candidate who has obtained a state/territory nomination.

To Summarise

While developing your plan for migration in Australia, make informed decisions in order to get the most economical outcome. It is always recommended to seek advice from a registered migration agent before lodging your PR application. As an industry leader, AECC Global has helped many of our clients to achieve their Australian dreams and we would like to help you too.

Prepare PTE Academic Test with 3 Easy Tips

As the world’s leading computer-based test of English, Pearson Test of English has gained its popularity among international students and potential immigrants due to its unbeatable advantages including fast results, flexible test dates and unlimited reporting etc. There are lots of free PTE preparation resources on the internet available to use, here are 3 easy and actionable ones that can help to get yourself ready for the PTE (A) test.

Tip 1. Make the most use of Pearson Official Website

There is no better place than getting information from a developer of the test itself.  Pearson publishes a huge range of digital and print test materials on their website that will help you improve your level. Choose from a range of free preparation materials including test tutorial, top tips and skills videos to get best information for PTE Academic. Get free materials here.

Tips 2. Prepare with a Scored Practice test

For the best PTE (A) preparation, it is highly recommended to take one of an online scored practice test from Pearson. This will not only familiarise you with the test format, but it also shows your predicted PTE Academic score based on your performance on the practice test. Similar with the actual PTE (A) test, you are required to sit a full three-hour computer-based mock test, which helps you to set realistic expectations on your potential performance.

Tips 3. Get trained with PTE Coaching

Anyone taking PTE test will need to understand the test and develop strategies to answer the questions in which sometimes you may not able to get the right information online. The best way to efficiently prepare for a test is through professional training to gain full confidence in achieving the best outcome possible. PTE coaching starts from $1/week only with AECC Global, click here to find out more about our PTE coaching.

We wish this blog can give you some inspiration on your PTE preparation and remember AECC Global is a PTE Academic voucher reseller in Australia through whom you can purchase your PTE Academic test voucher code at $297 only. 

A Basic Guide for ICT Graduates’ Skilled Migration in Australia

Technicians and skilled workers are always at an advantage when it comes to Australian immigration. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professions have been a major group of the Skilled Visa applicants of the Australian Migration Programme for a long time. There are 6 ICT related occupations listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) which can be a great example of this. Here are some of the little known facts benefitting ICT graduates who wish to apply permanent residency after completing study in Australia.

-          Get Your Skills Assessment Ready

Skilled visa applications for ICT graduates will need a positive skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Completing a Bachelor/Master degree in ICT will not be enough to meet the requirement for ACS skills assessment. Besides the study requirements, candidates will need to either show at least one year Australian/three years overseas work experience closely related to ICT occupation or through a Professional Year in IT to be eligible for a positive skills assessment. Moreover, this program provides an additional pathway from university to employment for former international students. Upon successfully completion of a Professional Year in IT, participant will be awarded 5 migration points under the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

-          Apply for a State/Territory Sponsorship

ICT occupations have been recognised as one of the most demanding professions in most of the states of Australia including NSW and Victoria. Each state has its own list of ICT occupations available for candidates to apply for sponsorship visa. Getting nominated as an ICT profession by any of the state/territory government, up to 10 points would be awarded to the candidate.

To Summarise

Considering the high competition in the Australia visa application pool, trying to achieve a higher level of English can still be a good way to improve your change of qualifying for skill migration. With PTE Academic score 65+ /79+ or equivalent, it will contribute 10 and 20 migration points respectively. We hope this blog can bring you some ideas and please remember to purchase PTE voucher from AECC Global - a PTE academic voucher reseller in Australia.

Cracking the PR Code with 4 Best Actionable Tips

Australia is being recognised as a great place to study, live and work among international students. The most common pathway for students is to apply for General Skilled Migration upon completion of their studies in Australia.  The truth that you have studied in Australia does not guarantee your permanent residency, however there are many tips on how to increase points for PR. Here are the top 5 actionable ones.

Gain maximum points through English testing

The best way to increase points for PR is to achieve a level of English higher than competent English. While finding a right English Language Testing, PTE exam has proved itself as a viable alternative to IELTS and TOEFL due to its fast and flexible test dates.  For those who wish to take PTE exam, remember AECC Global is an official PTE voucher re-seller authorised by PTE Academic in Australia and offers a flat 10% discount on PTE exam. 

Complete a Professional Year in Australia

Professional Year Program is available for Engineering, ICT and Accounting graduates only. You would receive 5 migration point for having completed a professional year in Australia in the 4 years before you submit your PR application.

Obtain a NAATI accreditation 

You can receive 5 points for having a NAATI accreditation. There are a couple of different ways you can gain NAATI accreditation including sitting a NAATI assessment test and passing a NAATI approved program. NAATI offers accreditation testing in over 60 languages.

 State Nomination

Different States in Australia offer state nomination for the permanent skilled nominated visa and the temporary Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa which allows migrations to live in the regional Australia. Getting nominated by any state government in Australia can help you to gain extra 5 - 10 migration points towards your PR application.

To sum up, getting an Australian PR could be a long and complex process, we would recommend you to consult with a qualified migration agency before submitting a visa application. 

Is PTE The Right Exam For You?

Are you planning to take PTE exam but not sure if it is the right one for you? Here are some most asked questions that may help you to determine whether PTE exam is the right one for you or not.

What is PTE exam?

Pearson Test of English (PTE) is an English proficiency test that accepted by all Australian Universities, Professional Associations as well as Australian immigration department for study and immigration purposes.

What is the exam format?

PTE exam is a computer-based test of English to assess students’ English language skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing in a single 3 hour test session. There are 20 different question formats, ranging from multiple choice through to essay writing and interpreting information. Click here to find out more about the exam format.

Is PTE easier than IELTS?

There is no ‘easier’ or more difficult test. A good grasp of language is needed no matter which test will be taken. However, test aspirants should consider their background and needs while choosing the test. There are significant benefits of PTE exam including fast and flexible test dates which explain its increasing popularity among international students.

How can I prepare PTE exam?

There are many resources available in bookshops, online as well as PTE official website. In addition, candidates can get some professional guidance from PTE coaching courses which will help to build confidence in the specific skills required for success in the PTE exam especially for those who have never given one before or have struggled with getting a higher score.

To Summarize

Getting a permanent residency in Australia is a complex process. Taking into consideration of the high competition in the current skilled migration programme, achieving desire scores in PTE exam may not make you qualified for your Australian permanent residency. However if you are an IT, Engineering or Accounting graduates in Australia, upon successfully completion of a Professional Year in IT, Engineering or Accounting program would help you with additional 5 migration points.

We wish you luck and remember AECC Global is an official PTE voucher re-seller authorised by PTE Academic in Australia, offering a flat 10 % discount on your PTE Academic exam fee. 

4 Simple Steps to Prepare Yourself for PTE Academic Test

Fortunately, there are lots of free resources available on PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) to practice on and quality tips to get very satisfactory results. Here are 4 simple steps that helps to ease yourself in preparing a PTE (A) Test.

Step One: Take Advantage with Free Preparation Materials

Just like IELTS and TOEFL, you need to be familiar with the test format and how it works. This will assist you in developing strategies in addressing every test sections. Choose from a range of free preparation materials available on PTE official website to get ready for your PTE Academic test. Download the offline practice tests, watch hours of skills videos on You Tube or read their test tips and test tutorials. Free preparation material available here.

Step Two: Get information from Official Course books

There is no better place to get useful information than an official course book written by the developers of the test itself which includes everything you need to know about the test. Choose from the Official Guide to PTE Academic or Practice Tests Plus to understand the test format and prepare for specific item types. Find more information on PTE books here.

Step Three: Prepare with a Scored Practice Test

As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfection”. To prepare you better for the actual test day, it is highly recommended to take and complete mock tests repeatedly to constantly improve the results. This approach will prepare you emotionally and mentally as it mimics the actual tests atmosphere. Mock tests are intimidating. Yes, they are. But highly beneficial as you will come prepared on your test day which can lead to a very satisfactory result.

Step Four: Get Trained with PTE Coaching

Sometimes, the best way to prepare for a test is to join a class and receive tuition face-to-face from instructors who know exactly where non-native speakers of English struggle. To gain full confidence in achieving the best results, AECC Global is geared to help you efficiently prepare for your upcoming test through our PTE Coaching Program. We understand the key challenges non-native speakers of English face with English Proficiency Tests and especially with PTE Academic which is relatively new. AECC Global PTE coaching program has been designed to be the most affordable, flexible and result-oriented to best suits your schedule and study needs. More information on our PTE coaching can be found at www.aeccgloball.com/ptecoaching

Due to the high competition in the skilled migration programme and complex process to successfully gain a permanent residency in Australia, achieving desire scores in PTE (A) test may not be enough to help you meet the requirements for the point-based Skilled Migration. However, if you are a graduate in Accounting, ICT or Engineering in Australia, you would have option to gain extra 5 migration points through a Professional Year in Australia. Moreover, the program also provides an additional pathway from university to employment, offering a job-readiness program to equip you with the professional skills needed to kick start a career in Australia.

We hope this blog can be some useful for your PTE exam preparation and please remember to purchase PTE Voucher from AECC Global – an official PTE voucher re-seller authorized by PTE Academic in Australia and enjoy a flat 10% discount on your next PTE Academic test fee.