A costly, incompetent inconvenience

I wrote my test on 19 November at the Pretoria centre. An unpleasant experience from the first minute. Address is wrong. No signage/flags like at JHB branch. Outside they have a poster saying to wait in the reception area before being escorted. I waited for an hour. When the time for my test came, I went to go enquire and was asked “who said you must wait?” Really? Then there’s the Covid questionnaire you need a phone for. I didn’t have a phone on me and a smart phone should not be an expectation. Also, this is a link that can be sent a day before, like every other establishment.

In my test, someone had a problem with their computer. This caused commotion as they tried to set up right behind me. While this person was rightfully given the opportunity to write and finish while we waited, there was no consideration or effort to help resolve my issue, which was that I missed a whole recording during the listening test.

These tests are not cheap. One sitting is literally more than what 75% of households in this country live on monthly. This disturbance cannot and should not be taken lightly. I have yet to touch on the incompetence and rudeness of the staff at this particular branch. Wow. What an expensive inconvenience.

I did complain to British Council and was given the standard response that I must reapply for a re-write, pay, and sit for all four sections - again.