u/Objective_Home_5473

Considering you’re genuinely not trying to cheat or do anything inappropriate, what could be considered as cheating or a valid enough reason for the ETS OTI (Office of testing integrity) to cancel your scores?

My scores just got delayed for a few days and out of anxiety I started looking up all the past cases of people who had their scores cancelled to compare with my actions at the test center. It seems to me that even the most minor misunderstandings could get you in a lot of trouble.

With this post, I’m hoping people become aware and try to do all they can to avoid such an outcome.

P.S. I did get my scores eventually, it was 118/120, or 6.0/6.0, but I’m not sure what exactly caused them to put it under administrative review.

I am about to finish my Exchange Program (2 semesters) here and I booked a flight for July 29 in the winter.

I just got an email, which said that I am supposed to leave Korea within 30 days from the last day of my semester, which would be until July 22. I was not aware of that until now and thought that the date on my ARC (July 31) was the actual deadline for me, but I was wrong.

I have a partner here so I wanted to spend as much time as I could with them and their family before leaving. I can no longer reschedule my flight date nor cancel it. Unfortunately, the flight ticket is very expensive for my destination, so I don't think my parents would be able to afford getting me a new one anymore...

I really plan to come back to Korea for job opportunities and make my life here after a few years, so having problems with Visa could really harm that.

Is there any way to leave on the planned date without any problems? I plan to go to the university tomorrow and talk to a representative at the OIA, but I am feeling uneasy right now, so I wanted to know if there's anything I can do first.

I've seen someone successfully apply for a temporary extension on Facebook, but it was 3 years ago, wonder if anything has changed since then.

Someone has also suggested that going for a short trip outside of Korea before July 22 and coming back could give me extra 30 days to stay as a tourist, but I don't know how true that is.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated!

I just took mine yesterday for the first time (took place in Seoul, Korea) and thought I’d point out a few things I was not aware of before going in, in case somebody would like to hear.

1. I thought speaking would be conducted in separate rooms, like it was for me on IELTS. However, there will be multiple people taking the exam in the same room. Your desks will be isolated from each other by walls or desk dividers.
2. Disadvantage: Although they provided noise canceling headphones and ear plugs (those were on request

, I used them as a squishy to calm my nerves

1. ), I could still slightly hear people do their speaking part and it did distract me a little, so be prepared for that.

3

5. Headphones were hella tight (to improve noise cancellation, I suppose), I felt pressure on my skull, but was fine after I left.

6. You are supposed to start the exam as soon as you sit down, that is why some people will be leaving early or doing their speaking before you.

7. One of the proctors said it’s actually a little sus and might be considered as cheating if you just sit there and not start.

8. This one is like an obvious bonus point, but I’ll say it. Make sure to read the guidelines and rules to follow during the exam very carefully, cuz even minor misunderstandings could get you in trouble.

If anything, ask questions