machinegy

Thank you for clalifying your point, Trav. I knew your intention was not directed to offend any of us in the first place. It's just that I was curious if the score I've got truly reflects my performance correctly. I understand your points regarding the trend and do agree with you on how ETS may fail to evaluate one's true linguistic skills. Anyway, great observation and analysis! No offense was intended here, either. :)

not trying to argue with you or offend your idea but...sounds like you're trying to say that the score we've got could be more of a luck rather than some pure skills..meaning if we're to take one in june or july, it's almost guaranteed that we'll do poorer?

After reading LadyJane's post, I found out the score was available. I was so nervous to see it, so I took my contact lenses out and looked at the screen with my eyes almost closed to see the individual numbers one by one. But wow. I couldn't believe my eyes because the score was much higher than I had expected. As I mentioned earlier in the post, I thought I did terrible on the test. I was nervous and distracted because it was my first test, too. Anyways, long story short I am so very thankful for the result I've got. R: 29 L: 28 S: 29 W 29 Total: 115 I am lucky to find this website and get much much information. I thank you all and I really do. I will try to post up the tips I've used soon evenif they may not be too helpful. You guys are the best!

YES, definitely take ear plugs with you! My friend recommended it, but I didn't listen and I regret it badly. Next time I'll use the plugs together with headset on. You need concentration. When reading section began, I was very distracted by everything around me. So, just keep your mind in the passage. And never look around. No problems with headset. I was tested in San Diego, CA. Equipment was real good. But not sure about NYC....It's easy to lose your concentration during listening section. Always focus!

Heard the result will be available in 15 biz days..

I just came back from the test center and I am extremely frustrated because I did terribly on the test. It was my first time and I was terribly nervous. My strongest areas were reading and listening, but those are the parts I did the worst....I know it's an excuse, but when I started reading, late comers made noises asking question to the proctors and some actually read the passage with their own voices...wow..and I sat right next to the proctor who was constantly humming and I got so distracted... The first minute I'm reading the passage, I was reading it, but nothing registered in my brain....I was just reading same thing over and over without understanding it...does this happen usually for the first timers or just me? i even missed a question without answering it because time was up...jeez.... my question is...when i registered for the test, i had the report to be sent only to me..not to any school..if i do better next time and decide to send the report to a school, would the school find out about the previous test result, too? (which I just blew today)or are they only be able to see the good test score i want them to see? anyways...i'll write down whatever I remember from the test hoping this may help. speaking independent 1. Describe an event that you recently experienced. Reason and Detail. 2. who influence you more? family or friends? writing 1. Contrasting the benefit of hydrogen-based fuel-cell engine in the reading and disadvantage of it in the lecture. 2. Has technology prevented children from developing creativity? Agree or Not.

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Same here. in CA, USA. It's my 1st time. Wish me luck.

When I get tested for speaking, what is recommended? 1. Speak loud and clear 2. Speak in natural tone 3. Whisper I originally though speaking loud would be good, but some suggested normal or even whispering volume is even better...??

Anyone offering SKYPE after 6PM Pacific Time? (CA, USA) I'd like to practice speaking. I'm ok at conversations, but I suck badly during the test-type questions....My brain just goes BLANK. I feel so stupid...:(

so...how did you go about the conclusion... did you repeat the word used in the introduction? did you say stuff like...the lecture, therefore, claims that the birds...blah blah...and thus his/her ideas are the opposite of the reading passage... like that?? i thought integrated writting didn't need a conclusion because it's like summarizing facts...no? confused a bit here..:doh:

Here my another question. Some say that there are certain preferred essay structures...like.. intro reason 1 detail 1 reason 2 detail 2 conclusion Is this something that we all must follow to score high? I've heard, however, some others say the essay looks better if it's natural and more personal and humane backed by some level of organized structure. say....intro and body with 1 detailed example and then conclusion.. For me the 2nd method works better because it takes less time and I can more easily write down what I want to say. What do you guys think? ------- Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Just how many private academic institutions are out there today? The answer would be "countless". This clearly proves that the competition in terms of education is unimaginable throughout the world. However, there are not many qualified and hard-working teachers who understand a student's needs and are readily prepared for each class with proper class materials. It may be, however, also understandable from the teacher's point of view if he or she does not have motivation to perform well. I am a true believer supporting the idea that teachers should get paid based on their performance and yet they must know what they are doing ultimately to be considered as qualified teachers. As much as students come to class to learn valuable knowledge and information, teachers are responsible for giving back what the students look for. In other words, teachers need to be always prepared and organized to lead the class. Various class materials and effective lecture preparation is definitely required. If students find the class tedious and not fulfilling, they will eventually withdraw from the class. Consequently if a teacher's salary is based on the number of students, teachers will do the very best to keep it as high as possible and they will do this by providing an excellent quality of the lecture. Therefore, this will stimulate the teachers to maintain a high level of preparedness. Also, the performance-based payroll system will give each teacher an incentive to strive to the best at teaching. They surely would want to be financially successful and they obviously understands that if they excel in teaching, they will make it come true. A friend of mine who is an English instructor at a private institution is working based on the number of the students who sign up for his class. He claims that if a student actually finds the class satisfactory in his class and decides to take it again, he gets a bonus. This fuels him to even work harder to be a "popular" teacher in school. In conclusion, performance-based payroll system will not only make the teacher take the quality of the class to a higher level, but also the experience is financially rewarding. More qualified teachers will advance while unqualified ones will fall behind the competition. Only the strong survive indeed.

I really need to learn to speed up. It just takes me forever to brainstorm and write it. I virtually have no time left to make corrections. Is it just me? How many reasons or examples are needed to support the main point of an essay? I put two below, but I was wondering if one example may possibly enough if the point is well delivered? Please leave comments, fellows. Thank you!!!! :) In today's economic society, companies with many different characteristics and scales try to recruit qualified individuals in many areas. Accordingly. many college graduates seek for companies that offer the most desired benefits, where they can maximize their potentials. I find, however, some set their goals with only big name companies. They simply misunderstand that those companies will fulfil their best interests in every aspect. What they do not realize is that it is hard to grow big in such gigantic companies and the atmosphere of such big companies in many cases is not as friendly. Most large companies, such as Coca Cola or Microsoft, are also known as established companies. Because of their financial status and size, their organizational structure is solid and strict. Therefore, one will find it hard to clime up the rank in the inner hierarchy. In other words, It may possibly take him or her many years to receive a promotional opportunity. On the other hand, however, a small-sized company will offer many opportunities to grow with the company as such type of company still has a great chance to financially excel and its organizational infrastucture is not as complicated as that of large-sized companies. Likewise, small companies provide friendly and comfortable environment. Due to the physical size of work, employees are more bonded and tend to help and rely on each other. As for my experience, the first job I had after I graduated from college was a small venture-type water company. Although I was first disappointed by the general image of the company, soon I realized how important it was to work in such a family-like atmosphere. Whenever I had a hard time figuring out a work process, many of my co-workers and bosses helped me as if it were their problem. The result was my motivation to work harder to contribute to the company and perform well for self-growth. In conclusion, it is much more beneficial to work at small companies with great growth opportunities and friendly atmosphere. Sure it may look fancy to work at a big brand name company at first, but one will miss the opportunity to maximize his or her true potential. I would rather be the head of an earthworm than the tail of a dragon.