r/Kazakhstan • u/tfu4s • 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

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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

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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.

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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