Hello everyone! I am glad to find this topic so I can, at least, register my disappointment and share my case.
I took IELTS Academic (first plan was to go with student visa) and got the following scores:
L-9 / R-8 / W-7 / S-7
Test on Sep-30-17
Since it was my first try, totally out of pure english in me, I thought it was OK. I was going to try General Training anyway!
So I went on to General Training. I was better prepared this time, specially concerning time management for the writing part.
Scores:
L8.5 / R9 / W6.5 / S7.5
Test on Oct-28-17
I have studied english for more than 20 years. I have lived in the US for one year (exchange student) and even have taught english in language schools during my college years. I dont need to say that I was VERY unhappy about the grades, because I am very confident in my english!
Sure, the Speaking score went up a little, but I didn't think it went up enough.
What I was the most upset about was the writing segment. I wrote the essays with plenty of time, clear and corrected. Subjects were easier than those of Academic (that involves graphs and figures).
I felt I had to apply for Enquiry on Results, so I did, shortly after getting the results. EOR addressed (and already paid for) Nov-23-17.
Got the reply Jan-22-18. A simple print with lawful statements and the core subject:
"The band score awarded for this module has remained unchanged".
Just that, no further explanation or anything. There were two sheets of paper. Only the second one with a signature, from British Council. But it was a JPG, an image, signature. I would expect at least that they would actually send something via mail, signed and stamped. I was wrong.
So I am very disappointed. The 6.5 score thrashes my whole grade. All other scores are top band, except the 6.5, which lies in third band!
Altogether with the response I got from BC, I feel that the test is flawed, and seems to me more of a lottery when it concerns the subjetive modules (speaking and writing).