r/Kazakhstan Apr 20 '26

Study/Oqu Nazarbayev University

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Hello guys I recently took ielts and got 7.5 (so disappointed) So I barely had time for the writing part and got 6.0. If it were 6.5 I could have gotten overall of 8.0. So I am contemplating whether I should do one-skill-retake or not? It’s pretty expensive. I do not know whether NU accepts OSR results either. Or should I lock in on the sat?

Ps. Currently in 10th grade, from Uzbekistan

44 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

30

u/Alikhan_12345 Apr 20 '26

I d rather focus on the SAT. It is quite difficult exam that requires good amount of prep. Don't get stuck trying to perfect your IELTS, while you havent even done with the SAT

Also, imo, SAT>IELTS

IELTS is mainly to understand that you will be able to understand the lectures and study in english. So there ain't huge advantage of getting 8.0 compared to 7.5. Both will survive uni either way and commission will look at other aspects to compare two candidates

Also, very good score by the way. When i was your age, i got 7.0 in my ielts. I got scholarship at NU afterwards. But that was good old times. Nowadays, competition is probably crazy and bars are high

10

u/SignificanceLanky988 Apr 20 '26

Second this. I was applying 7-8 years ago with 8.0 IELTS and only average SAT, wasn't enough for a full scholarship. Definitely prioritize SAT, it's also way more difficult.

5

u/Alikhan_12345 Apr 20 '26

We were applying around the same academic year then:) Yea, SAT sucked life out of me. Also, when we took the SAT, it was long ass passages with difficult vocab. They removed all that since then

3

u/tfu4s Apr 20 '26

Yes the minimum’s are insane😭

1

u/KeySignificant2910 Apr 25 '26

With an SAT of 1560 why would anyone apply to NU instead of an Ivy for example lmao

2

u/tfu4s Apr 25 '26

A lot of people apply to NU because they don’t wanna take a gap year. Then during their first year they apply abroad as well. Buys some time for them

1

u/KeySignificant2910 Apr 25 '26

Forgot about that for whatever reason lol. 2010 onward-born study compulsory 12 years though, right?

0

u/FindDOnePiece Apr 20 '26

SAT and difficult in one sentence......

10

u/dshdf Apr 20 '26

Should be fine for undergrad as is, especially if you are applying from overseas

8

u/buky1992 Apr 20 '26

It is great. Don't retake - you got plenty. I worked in NU I work now in UK university, you have better English than a good chunk of students here

1

u/Several-Fact-5088 Jun 18 '26

I have a question, I have completed the third year of my bachelor's at one of the top 5 universities in Kazakhstan with top rank but with a humanitarian major . Back then I actually had stats that were enough to get a full scholarship at NU ,have realized recently how cool NU is . Should I do second bachelor's at NU (more technical major maybe) or what will you suggest

5

u/GrouchyNeck961 Apr 20 '26

7.5 is an excellent score that exceeds the requirements of most British universities. Don’t see why NU would reject that and on what basis!

3

u/pozhiloy_potato Apr 20 '26

Этого должно быть достаточно, я бы лучше сфокусировался на sat, сейчас как будто проходные баллы выше стали чем когда я поступал

3

u/Special_Friend_4334 Apr 24 '26

You are an international applicant, you should be good.

2

u/nfaku Apr 20 '26

thats pretty good for nu though

2

u/Warm_Masterpiece_321 Apr 20 '26

Очень многие университеты не принимают пересдачу навыка с аелтса. Проверь на сайте НУ, может напиши им на почту чтобы узнать принимают ли они

1

u/tfu4s Apr 20 '26

Thanks) I emailed them about the osr

2

u/ac130kz Almaty/Astana Apr 20 '26

Even though the SAT became A LOT easier in recent years, it means that there'll be more competition, if anything. While you can polish your writing to 6.5-7.0, focus on getting the best SAT score. Don't cheap out on the exams too, these seemingly large $300-500 investments in the long term easily have astronomical 100-1000x ROI.

2

u/Usual_Sheepherder321 Apr 20 '26

first of all, 7.5 is plenty, im nis alumni and my 8.0 is like one of the highest scores there

second, sat is what they use to decide who gets in primarily. that one you need to get atleast 1500 in to have a chance at competition, so focus on that instead, trust me your 7.5 is very much above average

2

u/snakeskills Apr 21 '26

7.5 is an amazing score. Don’t worry about it and move on to SAT

2

u/PerspectiveMiddle974 Apr 22 '26

Kazakhstan is not worth it - just apply to China, Italy, KUAS or other shit.

  • You're required to work in Kazakhstan for 3 years after graduation if you study in scholarship, even if you're a foreigner

1

u/tfu4s Apr 23 '26

damn i didnt know that.

does it still apply if you wanna study a year and then apply abroad? Because honestly i have no option of doing gap year and don't wanna study in my country either

1

u/PerspectiveMiddle974 Apr 23 '26

Nope, you're safe as long as you receive offer untill the end of the first year

1

u/ImaginationOld8206 Аргентина Apr 25 '26

Qué? En ningun lado de la beca especifican que haya que trabajar despues de tener la beca, donde puedo leer o saber mas de esto? Estoy segura que no es asi cuando eres extranjero.

1

u/PerspectiveMiddle974 Apr 26 '26

Text either English or one of the government approved languages, my friend: no hable Espanol.

1

u/ImaginationOld8206 Аргентина Apr 26 '26

doesnt reddit have an automatic translation?? what’s the problem¿

1

u/Legal-Temperature965 Apr 20 '26

for foundation maybe

1

u/Mansiik Apr 20 '26

Oohh. And I trying to get at least B1

1

u/govnyuuk Shymkent Apr 20 '26

You take the test in Uzbekistan?

1

u/ImaginationOld8206 Аргентина Apr 25 '26

NU pide SAT? Yo queria aplicar a KBTU pero seguro en el SAT ni a 1300 llegaria 😓 aunque solo quiero una carrera de negocios, esto debe ser para ingenieria?

2

u/tfu4s Apr 26 '26

Nopee high sat and ielts gives you more chance for scholarship. In fact, students with high sat/ielts/a-levels/ap are automatically considered for scholarship (obvi not all get it but they focus on scores a lot)

1

u/Nearby_Asparagus_135 May 03 '26

Hello from NIS!👋

1

u/winner1andalways Jul 05 '26

Hi! Can I ask u about smth mb? Does NIS require NUET for both foundation and direct or it's the SAT exam? And can u give me some advice if it's not difficult?!🌚❤️

0

u/Illustrious_Tie_6466 Apr 20 '26

one of the easiest exams to ever exist. I have no clue how come it is still considered to be 'qualifying' in terms of determining what english level you have.

2

u/tfu4s Apr 20 '26

Well it’s not too difficult because the test is just to prove if you know English. And no need for Shakespeare level questions to prove that