The University of Auckland English Language Academy — Local services in Waitematā

I have deleted my previous feedback and added this one for clarity.

I'm reaching out to share the disappointing experience I had at your testing center, not once, but twice. I thought I’d give it a second chance, thinking maybe the first time was just off, but it turns out it wasn’t a one-off thing.

Both times, the receptionist (young tall male) was incredibly rude. It wasn’t just me; it was the same for everyone. I was observing his attitude to others while awaiting my turn when we were singing in and registering.

The real kicker came during my last exam when my computer just gave up on me (major tech problem). It suddenly buffered and it didn’t move to the next section. (Sounded like disconnected from the test portal). In a total panic, I called over the receptionist, who, true to form, was dismissive and pretty much blamed me for not knowing my way around a computer and how to use a mouse or click next. It took him actually trying it himself to realize that, oops, the problem wasn’t me. He spent almost 15mins trying to resolve the problem.

What really got to me wasn’t the tech hiccup; it was how this guy treated us right from the get-go, making a stressful day even worse. In front of me, an old man was treated really rudely too. “This is not an art, place your hand on the scanning device correctly” loudly he shouted at the old man when he was scanning his fingerprints. I think it was another tech problem with the scanner device upon a second thought after my computer tech problem.

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone, nor am I planning to come back. 1/10, because I can’t go lower.

I really think you should check the surveillance tapes, see for yourself how this guy was and is. And it's not just me saying this; pretty much everyone I've talked to after the exam agrees that the vibe at IELTS centers is way more professional compared to this place. The have a nice welcoming, give a bottle of drink and talk politely from my last exam there.

Please, take this seriously. I know ELA school is much better and I always hear great news, but the test center is not.

It's not just about a bad day; it's about how you're making a bunch of already stressed-out students...

I feel lucky and grateful to have taken the plunge into the great unknown, and sat my CELTA qualification here at the ELA. Not only was it a world class educational experience, but supportive and vibrant in its content and delivery. I believe our whole class would agree that we got out of it exactly what we put in, with the bonus of making life long contacts and friendships. Anyone who has the chance to study here should grab it with both hands, and remember that only a poor trades person blames their tools! My experience and memories of studying and later teaching at the ELA are priceless and no one-starred, snort-worthy, trumpesque, snarky review should ever put you off attending here! No fake news...just fantastic dedicated teachers and students who can rise to a challenge. Thanks for...

Visited the site for PTE. Location: Convenient via public transportation. Parking: Basement paid parking Lift and floor confusion is normal as could see most people who visited the site for the first time were looking for information and confused. The entrance is although on the ground floor from the main road but is considered as 5th floor and you go up or down depending where you want to go in the building. Hygiene: Facility was clean and well maintained. Test Facility was not upto the expectation - Delay in starting the examination, not a good set of noice cancelling headsets, mis-managed scheduled break and no glass in kitchen to...