and usually it cant be compared to MUET bcoz of different testing method. IELTS is quite rigorous in its testing system, where in one instance they arent testing ur ability to speak, but ur ability to converse. when i took the verbal test, i found myself in a situation where we were conversing for a prolonged time - i was thinking... when's the test gonna start? and then poof... that was the test hahahhaa.

conversation skills - the ability to relay ur thoughts in words that the 2nd party could understand, the ability for u to understand whatever the 2nd part has to say in response to ur words, and the ability for u to process ur understanding into a response to the 2nd party. it's not a sesi soal jawab. most people treat it as a question-answer session, so the situation becomes very dull and awkward fairly quickly.

not exactly.

all english based universities like in the UK, australia, new zealand and the US require those whose english is not their first language or was not formally educated in english to sit for an english test to prove their proficiency. mainly they do this using either one of the two exams: IELTS or TOEFL. it is not compulsory if u can prove that english is ur first language, or u've been formally educated in english schools.

MUET is basically a pre-requisite for malaysian universities, regardless whether u're a native speaker or not.

writing is divided into several parts (i think 3 parts, but cant remember). 1st part is where u do a summary or ulasan of a data given in tables, graphs or diagrams.

the last part is usually argumentative. meaning they present a problem, issue or a scenario, u argumentatively write a ur hujah and present a standing or opinion at the conclusion. for example, "malaysia angkasawan program is a waste of money and time. what do u think about it?"

i cant remember if there is another part in between the two. aiyaaah getting old already!

if there's no partnership between a college in msia with any overseas universities, then u still need to take IELTS/TOEFL regardless if u could transfer credit or not. my wife used her diploma to skip 1st year of her degree in de monfort U, leicester, but still had to take IELTS.

UK degree -> aussie postgrad degree = YES.

IELTS = no.

when i apply for my masters at UCL using my UTM degree, i was required to take IELTS. after graduating masters, i applied to RMIT in aust, sheffield, UCL and nottingham in the UK, all did not require IELTS. the only one requiring IELTS was JPA, bcoz of protocol bla bla bla.

i didnt buy any books or join a workshop for IELTS. frankly, u dont need to. there are websites giving out more information than most of the workshops, and even having discussions amongst friends or an online community would benefit u better bcoz it tailors suit to what u wanna know.

browsing a book 250-300 pages thick to sit for IELTS to me is counter productive. u need to practice ur english skills, and reading is only just one of them.

just to add to this point:

if u managed to graduate with a degree from the UK, u dont need to take IELTS again even if it's passed 2 years. well, atleast i didnt have to after my masters.