PTE Test: Everything You Need To Know
Hi everybody and welcome. It's Friday, so it must be Connetics USA nursing agency weekly show Onwards and Upwards. Everything that a healthcare worker needs to know about coming to live and work in the United States.
I am your host, Tanya Freedman, president of Connetics USA, part of the AMN healthcare family. And we are the number one company for direct hire healthcare workers coming to the United States. We have 1000s of jobs all over the United States and have been doing this for many, many years. So if you're interested in coming to the United States, please apply online and our team are waiting on hand right now to speak to you and see how we can help make your American dream a reality. Today's topic is all about Pearson PTE Test. This is a very important topic. If you are a healthcare worker overseas, and you want to come to the United States, and you are not trained in English, you have to pass an English proficiency test in order to come and live and work in the United States. Now on the first of August last year, the CGFNS announced that they are accepting a number of other exams, not just TOEFL or IELTS, as they had in the past. And Pearson PTE is one of those exams that they will accept for healthcare workers to show their proficiency coming to the United States. Let's hear a video clip from Mukul Bakhshi from CGFNS talking about how they came about came to this decision. And so tell us about the announcement. What led up to that and what does this mean for international healthcare workers?
Yeah, absolutely. Tanya. So first, I want to say there actually hasn't been a formal announcement yet. So it'll be announced on our website August 1. And you'll see that there, but I definitely wanted. I know, some news got out. And you know, Tanya, and I've been talking about this for years, she's the first one kind of alerted me about these issues back in three and a half years ago now. And so I thought this would be the first place to kind of start to talk about this, I guess, is the official first official news publicly from CGFNS. That dude, here, you're hearing your first. Absolutely. Um, so you know, we've talked about and what you just mentioned before, Tanya, but we want to make sure that we're offering as many opportunities as possible for healthcare professionals around the world to kind of meet our processes. And one of those, of course from people coming from many countries in the world. In fact, most of them is that you needed an English language proficiency exam. So previously, or currently, rather, the two exams that were approved for IELTS and TOEFL. And so we've been working with the US government, specifically that HERSA division of the Department of Health and Human Services on kind of updating the federal regulations to allow for additional English language tests. The idea here is obviously our primary goal is to ensure that, you know, people who need to have English language proficiency, are able to speak and read English. But we want to provide as many opportunities and avenues to do that. And so that was the goal was to have that happen. And so effective August 1, when you go on our website, you'll see that there are multiple options, including Pearson PTE and OET, that you can take to satisfy that requirement. Okay.
Thank you, Meredith. So if you wanted to watch that show, we actually add it and before that announcement, so that's why healthcare workers around the world come to onwards and upwards because we actually had the announcement before, it was official on the CGFNS website. That Pearson PTE is one of the exams that the that the CGFNS will accept for a visa screen for nurses coming to the United States. So we have a packed show today. Very, very interesting show very important show on the Pearson PTE. And I encourage all of our viewers to stay on for the entire show, because we have some very exciting news. We have some generous giveaways from Pearson PTE Test, we have some prizes, we have three scored practice test codes that are going to be given away today in quizzes. We also have a full pt e test voucher. So how to win is these four quizzes today. We're going to have them interspersed in the in the show, and the first right answer correct answer in the chat is going to be the winner of one of these amazing giveaways from the Pearson PTE. So if you are watching anywhere in the world, please put into the chat what your name is I see that Rolf is joining us. Hi Raul. And Mohammad is saying hi from Iran. Hi, Draza please put into the chat. We love to see our viewers all over the United States or the United States all over the world who are watching Joining us today and putting their questions into the chat for Pearson PTE Test. So with that said, I'm going to introduce Meredith. Meredith is going to be joining us and Meredith Stokes from PTE Academic. Welcome, Meredith.
Hi, Tanya, thank you for having me. So nice to be here.
Well, we I excited to have you here, Meredith. And I know our viewers can't wait to hear all about the information that you're going to be sharing about Pearson PTE Test. But let's start off with some introductions. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, my name is Meredith Stokes. I live in Texas in the US. I used to live in Germany, I've been all over Europe traveling and living and I just I love Pearson PTE Test. I love getting the help English language learners along their journey. And this topic with nursing is so important to me. I've been working on getting this through for gosh, seven, eight years now. So as you said, so excited to provide opportunity to nurses coming to the US and choice. So thank you for having us.
Thank you, Meredith. And I see we've got Bella is saying hi, Rolf Pascale from South America. Welcome. Stella's from Nigeria has m from Egypt, Debbie saying nice, Mama. Great. So let's get started. Meredith, tell us a little bit about the Pearson PTE Test.
So PTE academic is a little bit different from your other language tests. And the main difference, we like to kind of shout out three words that are easy for people to remember. And it's simpler, faster, fair. It's a much simpler experience from registration all the way through to the end of Pearson PTE Test. It's more fair, because it's unbiased. It takes out that human elements of, of scoring, and it also is a lot faster. I know that for nurses, everything, you're already working somewhere, life is busy. Preparing takes time. So what we wanted to do was have a journey that was simple from start to finish, and really gave our test takers the tools that they needed to be prepared for the test, and really be able to showcase their English language skills without all of the anxiety that can kind of come with English language testing.
Yeah, and anxiety is the right word, Meredith, because for many international healthcare workers, you know, for example, like on the nursing side, they're more nervous of the English exam, then sometimes the NCLEX exam, there's a lot of anxiety around that. So having a solution that is easy, simple, and effective, can be very, very helpful for many nurses. Why is it important for a nurse who wants to work in the United States? Why is PTE important?
Well, for nurses that want to work in the US, as we know, you have to go through a lot of hoops. There's visa screen, there's applying with the board. And so again, getting your results in a fast manner. Most of our test takers get the results in less than two days. I want to thank all of the Connetics nurses that submitted their feedback on the test. I read so many great experiences, and so many people that mentioned getting the results back in two hours. So being able to have that in hand after two hours and not waiting two weeks for your results can really not just change your anxiety for that day. But I imagine the anxiety of waiting for weeks to find out, you know what your next step is, again, we know that this is life changing. And I think that sometimes in the US people don't understand that. A language test really could be the barrier to your next step. And so being able to be comfortable and being able to speak in your natural way. Without all of that anxiety was really something that PTE wanted to focus on.
Well, that's very exciting to be able to get your exam so quickly because I think we live in a generation of instant gratification. And yes, the English proficiency exam can be very anxiety provoking, but waiting for the result can be as bad because you have no recourse but to wait. So knowing that you can get the results quickly, I think is very exciting for many healthcare workers. And if you are watching now and please put your questions in the chat for Meredith, we are here to talk about the PTE, why it's important for health care workers where you can take it, how much it costs, how does it compare to other exams, we also have some nurses who are going to be sharing their stories and what their experiences were like with PTE. So please put your questions in into the chat. The PTE is a relatively new thing. I wouldn't say content but a new exam for healthcare workers coming to the United States. So where can people take the exam Meredith?
So just a little bit kind of about PTE, as I said, we're a simpler experience. It's a two hour test session that is taken in a test center, we test in over 400 different testing locations in 140 different countries, and most likely, where you took your NCLEX. And so that can give you again, a little sense of familiarity, already being at a place that you've taken, taken one exam and being comfortable in that environment. We have global recognition. We are new to the healthcare world, as you talked about in the US, but we are used for nursing in Australia as well as recognized for steady migration to Australia and New Zealand. And recently, we have been approved for migration to Canada with pt e essentials. So PTE our goal is to be a global test that can take our test takers anywhere. We would like our test takers to be able just to take one test and have that test fit all of their purposes and not have to take multiple language tests at every different stock.
So kind of like a one stop shop wherever you want to go in the world. Yes, exactly. Okay. Okay. So, alright, so we have a lot of viewers that are watching us how fun. So we've got Camille, who's watching Sharon from Edmonton, Jay saying, Hi, Jennifer's loving PTE and are in my Jada's from Egypt Grinda from the UK. And Nick is asking. So this is an interesting question. What are some of the states that are not willing to accept PTE? Or should we flip that around Meredith, which are the states that do currently accept PTE.
So more breaking news on Connetics onwards and upwards. This is the first place this has been announced. But North Dakota has now been added to the list. So there's 23 individual states that accept PTE, it is a little bit confusing. So I'll kind of backup the first step is visa screen. PTE is accepted for visa screen. All states, it's for visa screen. So we're already listed on that regulation. And then you get to the individual states. And this is where I think it gets a little bit dicey in that there's new tests, and not all states have the same requirements. So it does add a layer on the nurses to really kind of verify what state accepts which exam. Our goal is to have all of the states accepting PTE, eventually. And that's, that's on me. I'm in the process of reaching out and exploring those opportunities. But right now we have a list of 23 states. And if you go to the blog on Connetics website, it is listed which states except PT E for examination, which states except PTE for endorsement, I would say that this list will be changing all of the time, just like today with adding North Dakota. So it will probably continue to grow and more states will be added. I know Maryland has been reviewing the test, Oregon, so there's a lot of states that have confirmed they're reviewing and working to add it. They just haven't gotten it done yet. So the couple of states that I think it's better probably just to do the states that do accept versus the ones that don't accept. But again, there's 23 states Texas, Connetics, Delaware, like a lot.
A lot. Okay, so and I think we have a list of those states that will accept the Pearson PTE Test, as Meredith says that is going to be changing and growing all the time, because a new Earl is asking why are only 23 Accepting now, and I think the answer to that, as you've elaborated is that it's just newer in the United States. And Meredith is working very hard. As she said, she's got breaking news on onwards and upwards, that one of the new states has not accepted. And so we have that list of all the states that will accept the Pearson PTE Test right now. And this list will definitely be growing. And nobody's asking about Missouri, Meredith, and Rolf is asking about Alabama. And we can put that list on the on the screen. But I'm not sure if you know off the top of your head of Missouri and Alabama. There's the list.
Here we go. I knew I knew Alabama. I know Missouri. I have been reaching out. It's a good question why they're not accepting PTE um, it was approved by HRSA. We again were approved for migration for many, many countries. So we've been vetted. The reasoning that I can think of is, it takes time it takes a lot, especially with state governments, they typically have to go through processes internally. So They might want to accept PTE today and have all of the nurses coming but they're just not able to because it hasn't come through their approvals yet. So I would say just be patient, but it's definitely worth reaching out to the nursing boards. And I think the more that they here, test takers and nurses want PTE added, you're the people they're going to listen to. So it's definitely a good thing to give feedback that it's an option that that people would like. But know that it's my number one priority working with all of the states to gain additional.
Thank you, Mara does so that list will be growing, we'll be posting that up to date list and add the one that Meredith just announced here on onwards and upwards live today and into the chat. And we will be adding the new locations of states as Meredith adds them to the portfolio. The goal is to have every state in the United States except PTE. And very quickly, it's actually been very quick mirrored of that so many states are now accepting. So Heart is just asking you about North Dakota America. So do you want to give you a little plug again about North Dakota,
North Dakota is accepting PTE their scores will be I think what they sent was an overall 55. And then 5050 and 63 in the speaking section. Right now the visa screen score is 55 overall with no subsection under 50. But we have seen on the C s report, there are states that have required an a higher speaking score. My suggestion would be for all nurses to aim for that 63. I think, from what we've seen from our internal data, you guys are doing that already. You guys have had great results. And again, from reading the testimonials, I just want to say I think you guys have phenomenal skills. And I think it's the confidence, I think having the confidence to know that your English is good, really makes you feel better about speaking. So I was just thrilled to see so many positive responses and great scores.
Okay, thank you, Meredith. And we are seeing that as well. On the Connetics side, we have 1000s of nurses that go through the English process. And as the Connetics care package Connetics are the only direct hire company that actually pays for the course for nurses to be able to take the English proficiency exam. So we pay for that course. It is part of the Connetics care package, and it is our gift to all our health care workers. So we're very happy to be partnering with PTE in that regard. Meredith, we're going to take a quiz question. So everybody Are you get ready, put your hands on the on your on your phones or your laptops? Or what are your iPads? The question, the quiz question is how long in minutes or hours is PTE? And the first one to answer correctly into the chat? We'll be getting a prize from PTE. Meredith will let us know what the correct answer is. So Ralph is saying two hours murder is rather than correct Ralph right. Yeah, you Ralph, you got it. So Ralph, the team will be reaching out to you. And to give you your prize. Thank you, PTE for sponsoring for quiz questions. And for prizes today. For nurses around the world. I know people are putting their answers into the chat. But Ralph is the lucky one. So stay tuned, everybody, because we got three more quizzes coming up. All right. And I saw there was a question I want you to just answer in the chat. So Jamie's asking, do you have openings in New York? We do. Jamie, we have quit. We have openings all over the United States. But I see there was a question. Where was it? Oh, I'll come back to it. But I think there was a question. Oh, how long is valid for PTE.
So PTE is valid for two years. Just like TOEFL and IELTS. I think another differentiator on why PTE is a great choice is we give unlimited score reports within that two years. So you've paid for the exam, the score is yours, you can send it to as many boards as many immigration agencies or nursing steps that you have to go through, we realize that there's typically more than three to four times that you're signing your score in this process. So there's not any additional charge after that. So if you have a school if you'd like to pursue your master's degree at the same time, you could use the PTE for admission to school also and not have to take another language exam.
Oh, Okay, thank you Maratha. So thank you for clarifying that. And I think just to sum up, because it can be very confusing about the CGFNS, and the different states, so there are two kind of like umbrellas, I was like to explain it like that the two umbrellas here that are important. One is the CGFNS, because that is the school that is required in order to get your visa screen. And the score for the visa screen requirement is what Meredith,
it's 55 Overall, with no sub score. So reading, writing, speaking and listening there, you get four communicative skills, and none of those four skills under 50.
Okay, so thank you for clarifying that. So that's the CGFNS the school required from CGFNS for your visa screen, and you need the visa screen in order to get your green card, on the other hand, is that the states, and that is where there are a number of states that have accepted PPE and some that haven't. So that is where you need to confer with your Connetics case, specialist. And we will advise you and keep you updated, as Meredith adds states to the to that list. But we will provide that updated list with the update about North Dakota that Meredith just shared, live here today, and onwards and upwards. And we will share that updated list with North Dakota audit as well. And we'll keep updating everybody. So please check out the blog on Connetics USA, and we will have up to date information for you. Meredith, last question for the segment, just in terms of the overview. Can you give us a comparison of how PTE compares to the other English exams? And I think we have a chart for you too.
Yeah, do you want to present a start up, that would be great. I and we have this chart again, on the Connetics blog. So if you guys want to go back and reference this, it's a lot of information. I think there's a lot of standouts for me than the number one would be the test experience, you know, you can register for your test set for your test and get your results back easily within a week to two. And with some of the other tests, you can't even get a seat within two weeks. So the speed, the fastness of the entire experience would be one huge advantage. The second is the cost, you know, were considerably lower than some of the other options. That being said, our preparation material is also a lot less and we've got so much free information. I know Connetics does an amazing job with their Connetics College, and a lot of preparation material. But there's a lot of material that nurses can study on their own. Just going through the YouTube page, going through our preparation page, there's free courses on the page to do and really familiarizing yourself with the content. The other thing that I was told was a really big advantage to PTE was taking the sport practice tests. So many test takers, nurses specifically said that having that experience really helped them be familiar with the format of the test and not feel surprised at lessen their anxiety, and getting a mock score, you know, 20 minutes after you've taken the exam helps predict Am I really ready and then again, easing that anxiety when you see your practice score is above your desired score, you know, you're going to be much more inclined to want to take the test and to take the test feeling good about it instead of going in with a lot of anxiety.
Okay, so really fast, inexpensive, easy to use, easy to get your results. And that's why so many nurses are looking at Pt e as an option for the English proficiency exam. I see there's a question in the chat from Eric. Hi, Tanya, could you focus on med techs in every live session? Thank you for the note, Eric, I will be more specific in adding med techs to the list because Connetics plays many, many, many med techs all over the United States. So Meredith, can you talk a little bit about how the PTE would be in effect for med techs?
I could be wrong because this is it's kind of new to us. You know, our focus has been on nursing, but I believe that med techs also apply under the visa screen. So what you would really need would be the visa screen. I think the rest of the reports include that. Again, don't hold me to this with med techs. I think I think Tanya this is a great thing that we can explore together and do another show on med techs and I can get some more information on the process. But it was approved from HRSA for all healthcare workers. It's just up to the process of each occupation.
Thank you, Meredith. Then we actually have one of our med techs who's going to be in the next segment of the show where we're going to talk about pt e experiences. So we're going to explore that a little bit more, Eric. So thank you for that question, I love your notes. If you have a question or you want something that we want to point out, this is a conversation. So please do like Eric did and put that into the chat. Meredith, just one question. Last question is, is PTE? You know, PTE? Isa computer based test? So, is it suitable for everybody? Or maybe if like, even maybe if you're an healthcare worker who's not that computer literate? Might it be difficult for you to do PTE? Or are there any other restrictions or any other kind of, you know, any other limitations that we might have for some of our viewers?
So I think that's a great question, Tanya, and it brings back choice. at Pearson, we are a learning company. And we recognize that learners come and in all shapes and fashions and learn differently, and people test differently. So giving the option of a computer based, really helps people that suffer from testing anxiety. The other part is removing the bias, we we'd like to think that we don't have any human bias, but there's always just some built in. So you know, if the Raiders not having their best day, and the test takers not having their best day and everything goes wrong, you could really end up with a score that's not 100%, or even 90% reflective of your true abilities. Whereas the computer, there's no bias, there's no judging the accent, all of the accents are already built into the system. So it really makes I think students feel more comfortable, especially test takers that have had one bad experience, it really kind of seems to set the tone, and downgrade the confidence level. And I like to tell people don't base your skills based on one, one test results. Your be confident in yourself and keep trying. I think what you said on computer savvy, you don't have to be computer savvy, but I would recommend if you do not feel comfortable typing, that you look online for free. They have a lot of free apps that work on typing, and take some of those free courses. Because not only will that help you in the test, but that will help you in the rest of your profession. I think, at least here in the US every time I've been to the hospital or the doctor, you know, they're always typing. They're always entering things into a computer and feedback. So it's definitely a skill that you'll need and continue to use. But I wouldn't, I wouldn't let it hold you back. If you feel like Oh, I'm not great at computers. You don't really have to do anything with the computer. It's a headset, that you're sitting in front of the computer and you're typing. So again, brush up on your typing, take a free a free course. And I think that that would really help everybody.
Okay, thank you Marija. So it really is very fair and open for everybody. And a very exciting development actually to see how many nurses are now taking PTE. So before we move on to our next segment, and bring in some of our healthcare workers from Connetics, and they will share their experience. Meredith, we're going to do one more giveaway. So we've got three to go, everybody, are you ready? And PT II measures for skills, listening, reading, writing and speaking, which skills are tested in the same section? So the first person who puts the correct answer in the chat will be getting a free giveaway from PT E. Thanks to Meredith. If you know the answer to this question, put it in the chat now. Which Okay, so Rolf is saying again, reading and speaking Meredith, is that correct? Friday saying listening and speaking, Ebony saying speaking and reading Mich speaking and listening which one's correct murder?
I don't think I've seen the right one yet. Let me
know. Oh, come on everybody.
Speaking it speaking and writing. Sorry,
in writing. So that is Mel Molera visa. Well done. And congratulations. Our team will be reaching out to you. And the right answer is speaking and oh, sorry. It's not. It's Abdullah Dar Salam, I've got that. Right. So well done. And thank you, Meredith. So Mary Meredith will be coming back. In a few minutes. We're going to be bringing in some of our Connetics, healthcare workers are going to be talking about the experience. And Meredith will be coming back talking a little bit more about the exam structure, how to prepare and what some of the myths are about Pearson PTE Test. So we're going to be bringing in some of our nurses now, I'm going to be joining us and talking about their experience. We have Paul Sharmila and Endiana, and Diana is a medical technologist's so I know we had questions about that. Sharmila, we don't see you. So hopefully we'll be able to get your, your video going. Let's start off with introductions. And I think let's start is, am I pronouncing it correctly? Are there Sharmila? Welcome? Is it in in Diana? Am I pronouncing that correct?
Janet?
Sorry. Say that again? In Jana, Indiana. Okay, great in Jana, and if you want to put yourself on mute, if you're not speaking because they seem to be a little bit of noise into interference. So in Jana, if you want to go ahead and introduce yourself, tell us just very briefly about yourself.
I'm Jana Belia. I am a medical technologist here in the Philippines. I took my PT exam last December to 2022.
Okay, thank you and Jana, and is this the first English exam that you've ever taken?
Yes, I took my IELTS exam before unfortunately, I was always stuck with mice with 6.5 in speaking tests. So even if I got a total score, I even if I got a good score in my total band score, so I was always stuck with 6.5 in my speaking test, and I took the IELTS exam for three times. So I decided to take PTE, and IPass.
Yay. Congratulations. That is really wonderful, wonderful. New. Thank you for sharing your story. And Indiana so for those nurses who are scared of the English exam, and I think this is going to be very inspirational for you because our nurses and med techs are sharing their experiences and like in Jana, she took the IELTS three times couldn't get the right score and think of how you know how stressful that was, and probably expensive that was and then took PTE and IPass. So thank you for sharing that in Jana, and we're going to be coming back to you to ask some questions about your experience. And Sharmila Do you want to go ahead and introduce yourself?
Sharmila you'll need to unmute.
Sharmila. I think Sean Ellis might be having a technical hitch there. Paul, do you want to maybe go ahead and introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Paul. I'm from Ghana. Welcome. Yeah, I'm a registered dentist in Ghana.
Okay, thank you for Welcome. I am, as you know, from South Africa, gone from Ghana, from South Africa pole. And so it's wonderful to see a fellow African on the on the show today. So Paul is going to be talking about his experience. Sharmila Can you hear us now? I think Schumpeter's having a little bit of a technical hitch. Sharmila. Do you want to mute yourself and introduce yourself? Sharmila I think Sharmila is having a little bit of a technical hitch? So let's maybe speak with Endiana and Paul in the meantime. So Paul let's start with you. Tell us a little bit about you. You told us a little bit about the history of you going through the English exam the frustration of trying to pass the IELTS and then your success with the PTE. And why did you decide to take the PTE exam?
I decided to take the PTE exam because I was already frustrated in taking the IELTS before I really had no idea what is PTE all about a friend of mine was the one who introduced and encouraged me to take PTE. So I started their website. I watched some videos, and I also studied the test formats. That's how I came to know the PTE it is really important to study or the different test format because each part has different type of questions. So before I decide to take the test, I really studied them well review and practice every day. So that's why I was able to pass the PTE Exam.
So, how
I studied for about two months because I was busy also with my work. And but even though how tired I was, I see to it that I take practice tests ABCD even in one test, but if I am off duty, that's the time that I complete the studying all the different tests. And that's how I ended up is how my, my journey in taking the PTE exam.
Okay, so that written, it's been a long hard struggle. So congratulations on your success in making sure that you got through the English exam. What does it feel like now to have passed the English how was your life changed?
Well, I feel relieved, I'm very happy and then I finally push through my CGFNS and honestly now I am waiting for my interview at the US Embassy. So okay,
very, very exciting. Wonderful, Indiana. We are so proud of you. So thank you for having the grit and the perseverance to continue on this journey because I know it must have been very, very stressful for you and we're so glad that you were able to pass with PTE Sharmila. I think Sharmila is back Sharmila, do you want to introduce yourself Sharmila?
Yes. Thank you so much for providing to my experience about PTE. My name is Sam Lemoyne. Ali. I am from Nepal. I'm registered nurse here. Hello.
We can hear you Sharmila. Hello. We can hear you Sharmila.
I am registered nurse here. Okay, okay. I'm continuing my experience.
Okay. Thank you, Sherman. You're a little bit faint if you want to try and maybe
eaten for about 14 years.
Thank you. Sharmila, your voices a little faint. If you want to maybe speak up a little bit. Can you? Can you hear us Jamila? I think Sheila is having some technical issues. And Sharmila, can you tell us a little bit about your experience? Oh, Chanel has left us I think Chanel has got some Wi Fi issues. So it's probably not going to be possible for her to come back on. So Paul, and let's move to you. And tell us a little bit about your journey with PTE.
Okay, thank you, Tanya. Leigh, after I completed my Angliss raised are we connected? And they told me they have a cause for us in terms of the English preparation. So Miss Jennifer told me. And then also we have PTE. So I asked her that what is more, I want I wanted to know more about the PT. So he told me that he will add me to one of the groups that is telegram group. So I joined the telegram group. So then that I learned more about that. PTE. So I started preparing with PTE. Thank you.
Okay, thank you, Paul. So Paul is referring to Jennifer, Jennifer is the head of our English department. She does an amazing job of educating our healthcare workers about what is the best option for them, just in terms of the different states that they're going to and which ones except PT II, and based on the experience, which you know, which exam is a good option, and we have lots of resources, like Paul was talking about our groups with other nurses where you can have study partners. We can add, as I said, Connetics pay for a course for all of our healthcare workers. And Paul and Regina has made use of that. And we have Connetics College, which Meredith mentioned, which is once a week on a Monday we have our esteemed partners, Niners and swish that do PTE classes. So there are a lot of resources and a lot of information that is shared with you. And Endiana, what was it like when you went in to take the exam, the exam, what was your experience with taking the exam? Tell us about the day that you went in. you're unmuted Endiana, you're on mute.
What was the question again? Could you repeat, please?
Yes. I said, tell us about the day we put you to eat, what was it? Like? What was your experience, like when you took the PTE that day you went in?
At first I, because I really prepare for it. And when I went to the testing center, the facilitator was so accommodating. And then we had smooth registration before taking the test. And during the exam, I think there were 10, both in that room. The only thing that I was a bit disturbed is the noise background, but you have to focus, and then you have to focus and then answer the exam right away so that you will not be destroyed with people with the noise in the in your surroundings. But overall, it was a great experience, because I was able to pass the exam, I get the result, after four hours. So when I found out that I passed the exam, I was so happy. And I mean, the sacrifices that I did, is was worth enough.
So it was instant gratification after the long struggle. And we are so happy for you that you were able to pass. Paul, the different sections of the PTE, what would you say was the most difficult one for you?
Okay, what I can say right now is the listening part, the listening part, because you need to work on your listening models, because you are listening ability also account, because sometimes you hear the word like you hear all the ways. So you get to the part of the West, then you start there. So I think that is the most challenging part that I was an encounter during my test.
Okay, so that's good advice on how to overcome that. And Endiana, and what would you say is your best advice for anybody who is embarking on the journey of taking the English exam? Oh, well, they
have to? Well, before taking the test, they have to study hard, they have to familiarize the test format, as I've said earlier, because it's part has different type of questions. So, before I took the tests, I really studied them carefully and intensely. So that during the exam I am ready for it and what advice that I can give to the one who will be taking the exam is that just study hard practice every day, do watch some videos, listen to podcast and also try to be passable try to have a practice every day even for one test. Because in that way you will be what you will be you will be exposed with the different type of question and in during the test. You are ready you will not be you will not you will not feel nervous because you are practicing every day. The practice that I did every day was exactly the same and the real test like in listening, the speaking writing and reading. So don't give up if you fail
don't give up if you fail, it's really normal. But it but I have said you have to study harder.
Okay, so really good advice there. And Jana, thank you for sharing that is to keep hearing because as Meredith said, once you get to the exam, if you're fully prepared, it actually takes away a lot of anxiety because it is exactly what you expect it to B and the other is like Indiana is don't give up. Don't give up you have to have that grit so hopefully this will be inspiration inspirational for those healthcare workers that are struggling with the English exam like Indiana did already. We actually have one of our nurses unfortunately, he was not able to make it today because he had a work commitments. But he will be sharing his story in the coming weeks and months. He took that the IELTS nine times and couldn't pass. And then he took the PTE and passed. So there's going to be more coming up sharing his the historian, we are seeing many healthcare workers who are seeing a very similar experience. Thank you for sharing that Indiana. And, Paul, do you want to share what would you say are your is your best advice to any healthcare worker who's embarking on this journey is the first question. And second question is, at what stage did you actually take the exam in your journey of coming to the United States?
Okay, thank you, Tanya. What I will say is an advice that I will give it to my colleague nurses that they should take off anxiety from their life, because in this PTE arms, the moment you become nervous, or the moment you become levels, you can make it that's what I can see, because the time that's allocated to the test is not enough. That's what I will say, it's not enough, because the moment that anxiety sets in, you get a block towards. So after we get blocked out, you can't do anything about the PTE. So after the exam, then I think it won't go well with you. So what I say is they should take out anxiety. And then also they should do both when they get to the exam. So they should go they should focus of what they are going to do. And then also what I'll say is the registration is it's not difficult to register. So I think this you all go for PTE, because the last time I was before taking my PTE exams, I was learning something about the IELTS and those that because when I compare the IELTS, PTE, I will say the PTE is slightly difficult compared to IELTS so I encourage them to write the PTE And they're also the time is not enough. So they should be time consuming to do then also they should be time management, also. Thank you.
Thank you, Paul. That's great advice for any healthcare workers who are embarking on this journey. And I think that listening to Paul and Janas experiences can be very inspirational. I'm just so sorry that Sharmila had some technical difficulties. So thank you Sharmila for trying and I'm so sorry that it, it was a little bit technically challenging for you. And I want to thank Gianna and Paul for joining us today and sharing their stories. I know that listening to them is very inspirational. You're already paying it forward for other healthcare workers, by sharing your experience your advice, your tips, and I'm going to give final words to Paul, what was it like the moment you got that result from PTE that you passed? Describe that moment, look at that big smile. Okay,
I don't know. Other countries in Ghana? Well, after the tests, the place when I went for the test is our eyes about four hours journey from my city to that city is four hours journey. So after the exams, like in the middle of the road, that's within two hours time, then I got a message from the PTE center that actually checked my results. Wow. Because I cannot believe it, like we did to our ways my results came. So when I checked the results, even the one that I was looking at is the is the Bansko, they do tell Bansko because I've been checking from the CGFNS about the total Bansko they say is 55 You need to get 55 So when I saw the bounce score, then I say oh, God, I think I make it so. So when I checked the main results, then everything was fantastic. And like I thank God for that.
Thank you, and we can we can just see the happiness and the good vibes coming from Paul and Gianna after all of their hard work to be able to get that positive result and that's what we want for everybody who's watching today. So really, the PTE can be an amazing option for so many healthcare workers wanting to come to the United States. I see Harry has a question Reese's resources for studying. So Harry as a Connetics healthcare worker, we provide a free calls for all our healthcare workers, whether you're studying for PTE for IELTS, for OET, we have free courses. We have study partners, we have a whole English department that will headed up by Jennifer and her team who do a fabulous job of helping the nurses through the process. Paul is nodding his head there. And we have a lot of community support, as well as our Connetics colleagues every Monday with free resources and classes for all healthcare workers to get you through the process. So we're going to, we're going to be moving back now to murder. So Indiana and Paul, thank you for joining us today. We can't wait for you to start in the United States. And we look forward to seeing you here very, very soon. Thank you for joining us. And thank you for sharing your experience. We're going to be bringing back Meredith is going to be talking about in the last segment, just a little bit more about the specifics of the structure and the content, and the exam prep that the that healthcare workers might experience. So Meredith, let's start off with a with a quiz question, because I know we've got two more to go. So the next quiz question that we're going to have is, what is the risk required pt e scored for visa screen. So the key here is visa screen, not what the states are looking for. And this is the HR is a minimum. And we've already got people putting the answers into the chat. Meredith, who's got the correct answer.
People are on but haven't mentioned all of it, we need the correct overall score and your sub scores.
Okay. So maybe a bit more detail there. Who's got it? I'm sorry, America.
Azim I think Azim just won. He was first in with 55 with none less than 50, which is the correct answer.
Okay, there we go. So and so I Oh, I think it was Muhammad rate. And I'm Hamidreza. So well done. Mohammed Reza. And the right answer is an overall a 55. And no score below 50. Thank you to Mohammadreza and Meredith to the PTE for giving out free giveaways from PTE we're so grateful for that, Meredith. Alright, so Meredith, give us an overview of the test format. Sure.
So um, and I think I've put this on the blog as well. But you can also find this on our website. But just to kind of break it down. PTE, we talked about, it's done in one session. So that's another advantage. It's not broken into two, you might not have to travel, imagine traveling for hours back to back days, or on separate days, and then traveling back. I know a lot of people have had to do that. So one session two hours, it's broken into three sections. So as we talked about earlier, speaking, and writing is tested together, however, your scores, you do get individual scores for all four sections. Part two is reading and part three is listening. I think Eddie, Jana mentioned something that's really interesting for the rest of the group to know. And that's the question types. And, Paul, you mentioned it also, it's not easy. You have to listen, you have to be paying attention. I see a lot of things and people talking about templates use this template templates don't work, I will tell you what templates help with. And that's helping you become more familiar and your speaking structure. So if you're going to use a template, my suggestion would be use a template to practice reading and to practice speaking, but I would not using a template to memorize is not going to get you the score that you're looking for. Because there's so many integrated tasks, which means we're testing listening and speaking at the same time. So just know that increasing your English ability is the best way to increase your score. And by practicing every day, you're not beating the test, you're increasing your English skills. And so it's really doing you a favor not only for your language proficiency score, but it's increasing your English skills every single day. So I think on the structure, the important and kind of cool thing for me when I took it was I didn't have to sit and wait for the next question. Before I could move forward. When I was done with the question and I submitted it, I could move back move forward to the next question. So I didn't have to just sit there. And again, let that Anxiety take over. I know Tanya, you mentioned somebody had taken the IELTS test nine times. And in my mind, I just think, gosh, I can't imagine being in his shoes on the second time, or even the fifth time and how, how the anxiety would increase every single time I took it. And so I'm not surprised. It's kind of like, you know, the insanity running into a wall and getting the same results. You know, so we encourage people, if a test doesn't work for you, don't keep trying the same thing. Try something different. Try a different way to study. I think somebody asked about preparation and how to prepare. And there's, again, we talked about all of the materials that Connetics gives, which is amazing. I can't think of anybody else that prepares their nurses in such a thorough way. And really make sure that that you guys are ready for these exams. So on the format, there are different question types, there's fill in the blank, there's multiple choice, there's reordering paragraphs. In the listening section, which we talked about, you're going to have to summarize spoken text. There's also a few multiple choice. There's a fill in the blank, there's highlighting incorrect words. There's also writing from dictation. And I think another really neat thing about PTE is that when you take PTE, and you're listening to the listening sections, you're hearing authentic content. This was not generated off of the web off of Wikipedia, you can't find a question there's not going to be Tell me about your picnic. They're really thorough questions, and it, it requires that you're listening and comprehending, and then feeding that back in the right fashion. So I would also say that this is not I know, I've heard it's, it's an easy test. And it's not an easy test. It's an easy experience. And I think that the experience of going through the test makes it feel again, so much easier. It's not an easy test, though, as an AP as a native English speaker. When I took the test, I really thought wow, this is tough. So kudos to you guys for learning another language and mastering other language.
Yeah, really, it's not easy at all. And I think we have a clip from one of our AMN healthcare workers in HR Lena, who is going to be sharing her experience also with it the with the exam. She couldn't be here today but wanted to share and inspire other nurses and talk about her experience. And we'll show that clip of Indra Lena and her experience of the exam.
Hello, my name is Adelina and I am a registered nurse by profession. I choose PTE over the IELTS Academic because it is a lot easier than the IELTS for me. And I read also from a lot of nurses from the fora that it is easier than the IELTS Academic. So what I did I purchase a one month subscription from a puny and I studied almost three weeks before taking the exam last January 25. Of this year. What I find difficult about the PTE is the reading section. But I did a lot of practice. For the listening, speaking reading and the writing. I encourage the nurses to try first. The PTE, try for yourselves. There. There's a lot of practice tests in app uni. And yeah, you will discover that that it's really a lot easier than the IELTS Academic. For those nurses who are struggling to meet a desired score for those nurses who are struggling to meet a desired score for especially the speaking section. Yeah, you just have to check your microphone before starting the exam. And that's all Thank you.
Edwin Nina for sharing your experience. Meredith Evelina said that it's it seemed to her that that the PTE was easier. Now. You know, sometimes that perception is reality, but you know, the PTE has been qualified by the CGFNS. The score has been verified. So You know, it's not maybe necessarily easier, but just a different experience. And can you talk a little bit from an exam preparation perspective? Some of the tips or the common, what would you say is the common errors that nurses make when they're preparing for PTE when we talk about exam preparation?
Well, I think the number one mistake you could make would be not taking a practice test, whether it's from AP uni or a PTE practice test, I would recommend ours because it's the experience from start to finish. But I think going into it blindly would be the biggest mistake, because you're not familiar with the format. And I think you nailed it, it's not an easier test. But it's an easier experience. It's an easier registration, it's an easier getting to in to take the test, you don't have that anxiety, you don't have that worry that the person is not going to like you or you might not like that person back. And so really taking out the external factors and making it really just focused on preparation and on the test, I think the number one thing that you can do is, again, take a practice test, and look at where you need to improve and focus on those areas. A lot of the people that I've spoken to, especially Connetics, nurses, I feel like after you've taken the IELTS and you haven't had, you haven't received the score, you need which just to compare a little bit, our scores, PTE is a granular score. So an IELTS band could comprise seven pt e points, up to seven. So, you know, on any given day, you could be anywhere on that band, whereas PTE, you're gonna get a granular score, and you're gonna really have a better idea of where you sit. So you know, going into the test, what to expect. And again, be confident in yourself, that's a huge, a huge, whether you're speaking a natural English speaker, like myself, I get nervous. And when I get nervous, I speak differently. You know, I think it's just natural to hesitate when you have any kind of anxiety. And so if you haven't had success with an exam, I can imagine that your scores might not increase as you continue to take it, but they might decrease because with every failure, you will lose a little confidence in your abilities. And it doesn't mean that your ability isn't there, it means that you're not showcasing your ability. I think YouTube is another amazing place for tips and speaking courses. I know Niner has a lot of different practice opportunities, and swooshes a great program as well. So I would say, look around at the free materials, see what fits you best. We have free videos that are linked, we have free speaking courses, especially with that higher speaking score for some of the states, I know that speaking might be something that people are worried about. And then again, the online score practice test would be those would be my three things to start with. And then from the online score, practice, test, see where you fall. And if you're hitting your desired score, then go ahead and take PTE, if you're not at your desired score, it tells you exactly where you need to improve. And so that's again, where I would focus I wouldn't do a weekend test prep, I would do working with somebody on getting together and speaking with them and doing one on one, I just find that it really helps to again, practice, practice, practice. That's the number one tip.
Yeah, and that's great advice. So lots of ideas there of resources that are available, lots of ideas of how to practice how to prepare. And I think you're spot on, Meredith, because I think that when you are not well prepared, the anxiety level goes sky high. And I think Paul spoke to that as well. And then you're not going to give up your best you're not going to showcase yourself the best. And there's no bias here because it's a computer. So it's not like you're dealing with a person who as you said may or may not like you. So I think that's great advice. I see Mitch has a question. And it's actually just a common try to learn how to focus more and work even with distractions around some exam centers have nurses, students taking the test side by side, and it could get noisy, be prepared for that scenario as well. Meredith, I know one of our healthcare workers mentioned that is that something that you've seen is common because I think that's also part of preparation is just to know what to expect when you're in the room.
So yes, and that's a great point, Mitch, thank you for bringing that up. I think it's we kind of compare it to real worlds. You know, when you're in a hospital, you're going to be in a busy, noisy environment and it's really taking the focus. We didn't plan it like that, but it is part of it. There are noise cancelling headphones Do you do have the ability to block out some of it, but some exam centers are larger than others. So that might be another thing to consider. If you're having a hard time, if you are a person that's easily distracted, try to find a test center that has a less number of seats. And that might help as well. If you're testing in the United States, you're probably going to be testing in a room by yourself. So it's a little bit different than when you're testing at overseas, because in the US, we don't have as many international people taking the test. So it's not typically the entire labs, it's an accommodations room. So another tip for that would be, go to a busy place, a busy, free Wi Fi place, put on your noise cancelling headphones, and do some eight buni, do some Niner experiences, again, try to replicate what you're going to experience so that you're prepared for that. If you're, if you're only anticipating, you know, incredibly quiet and a focus thing, then it might throw a little a little, you know, hitch in that. So again, it kind of goes back to practice, practice in different environments would be my advice.
Yeah, I love that. And that's what I think is so helpful about onwards and upwards, is because often it's the surprise element that can rise can raise your anxiety level. And because you know that it may or may not be noisy. In the test room, as long as you know that and can prepare yourself mentally for that and you prepared for the exam, it really shouldn't be a consideration or a bother at all. But if you don't know that, and you get there, it might throw you off. So as Meredith said, there's some good pointers and tips there if you want to maybe go to a small center or where the headphones. And there are different ways of mitigating that. But at the same time just to be prepared and expect that it's really helpful to make sure that you know what to expect and you get through the exam. So I know we are a little bit over time. But I have one last question that I wanted to ask Meredith, because this is such a big topic and such an important topic. What are some of the myths or misconceptions about PTE? Because sometimes people will say, Well, you know, it doesn't work for all nationalities, or if I'm computer literate, it's not going to work. Or maybe there's certain test centers that are going to work better than other test centers, or doesn't matter which country you're in. So what are some of the myths or misconceptions about PTE?
Well, I'll start with the ones that you mentioned. So number one, the typing the typing can affect your score. However, being computer literate is not going to affect your score. So work on your typing skills, just like you would work on your speaking skills. I think one of the biggest myths that I heard was that PT E was all multiple choice. And I thought, wow, if it was all multiple choice, I think that we'd have some issues. It is not all multiple choice. There are multiple choice questions in each section. But I think that it's maybe one to two questions per section. So I wouldn't count on it being multiple choice. Also, that the templates work is a myth. I, I know with our scoring, and we have a lot of anti gaming in the background that they don't work. And just to know, if you are caught cheating, using anything, you wouldn't get a score your score would be revoked. So Trust yourself, trust your ability, and put yourself out there, take the test, take the practice test. I think the other myth that we hear is that it's we've said it here that it's easier. It's not easier, but it's a better experience. And I think when it's a better experience, we think it's easier, because it wasn't so difficult for us to register or it wasn't as difficult to get there. I personally think not having somebody sit in front of you and feel like everything you're saying is being done to me would be an easier experience. So again, it's really focusing on that experience is easier content is just as difficult if not more difficult. Again, we use integrated tasks on almost every question so you don't get to rote memorize. I would say that that's also a myth is memorizing answers it's, it's really not going to serve your English skills.
Okay, great information there. Meredith. We're going to finish off with our last quiz question. Our last giveaway so the last question quiz question is PTE scored by a human examiner or AI computer? First person to put the correct answer in the chat is going to be the winner of the last giveaway that Meredith and the PTE have so generously given out and Jellen has I think Jelena is the first person on here. Computer Meredith, is that correct? Correct. Okay, congrats Jellen. And the PTE team will be reaching out to you to make sure that you get that last giveaway. And thank you to everybody else who also contributed into their answers into the chat. So I'm going to finish off now I know we went a little bit over time today, but because the English exam is such an important part of this journey, if we look at the success part that's on the Connetics USA website, and we look at all the steps that are involved in getting to the United States, and always refer to the success part for practice, and for review, and there are a lot of different steps but having your English proficiency so look at that step number four, whether you do it at that point in your journey, whether you've already been sponsored for your green card, or if you're a med tech for your h1 visa or MCs, Mexican or Canadian citizen for your TN Visa, or if you do it but before you actually interview or, or are sponsored, wherever you do it in the process. It is an essential part of the process. You cannot come to the United States, if you were not if you weren't if you're not trained in English, if you don't do the English proficiency exam, and really what we want is for you to all be at that step number seven, which is enjoy and prosper and live your American dream. So I want to thank Meredith for joining us today. From the PTE. I want to thank the PTE for the amazing giveaways to the viewers of onwards and upwards. I want to thank and in Diana, Indranil and Rinella and Paul for sharing their stories and their experience and for inspiring healthcare workers around the world.
And before you leave, please remember that we have our blog, the PTE blog that is on our website, we put that into the chat with all the information that we have shared today. We also have our Connetics care package, which is our English exam scholarship. We pay for the course we also have pt e classes on the Connetics college every Monday, and any and so there are a lot of resources available for all Connetics, healthcare workers. So to finish off, just a reminder about upcoming shows before you leave us. We have next week we have a stateside show on Pennsylvania what it's like to live and work in Pennsylvania. And on the seventh we have a show immigrating with children to the United States. I did that myself and it can be challenging and exciting. So a great show coming up on the 14th that is budgeting, very important show about how to become financially literate in the United States. On the 21st. We have a client showcase the 28th our usual immigration Q&A. On the fifth of May we have our Connetics career day we have five Connetics employers that will be showcasing what they have to offer international healthcare workers the 12th we have nurses month game show The 19th immigration Q&A And on the 26th. We will be talking about direct hire versus staffing on the Sephora talk show on the 11th we have next generation NCLEX which will be kicking in on the first of April. So very important show and on the ninth of may work life balance Connetics College on every Monday, check your time zone converter, our amazing partners, Aspire IPass, Swoosh and Niners will be doing classes on different topics. And this is free information for all Connetics employers and employees and viewers or Connetics healthcare workers and viewers. And last but not least, I'm talking a lot the Connetics initiatives. And so free English scholarship for all Connetics, healthcare workers free NCLEX scholarship for selected nurses $1,000 referral fee until the end of may listen to our podcast nursing in America. Onwards and upwards every Friday Connetics college every Monday, and we also have many Allied needs. So lots of information on the PTE today. Thank you again to Meredith and thank you to our healthcare workers for giving us such great information. And Meredith will be back on future shows and keeping us updated as more and more states adopt the PTE. Thank you for joining us, Meredith.
Thank you so much for having us.
Okay, onwards and upwards everybody. See you next week. Have a great weekend.