Students sometimes ask me about whether they should take English exams, and if so, which exam providers are best. Well, once you know which providers are the most recognised and trusted internationally, it’s then a case of finding out which of them best suits your needs.
So, to help you make the right decision, here is a summary of the most recognised and trusted exams in Europe. I wrote this blog using information from a course I’m currently studying about teaching exam preparation. It’s through an online school for English teachers: www.tefl.org . So a big thanks to them for helping to make it all clearer for me too!
IELTS – International English Language Testing System
This is a multi-level exam, testing all 4 of the skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Multi-level means it’s the same exam for everyone. In the IELTS system, you are awarded a ‘band’ score from 0-9, according to the level of knowledge that you show during the exam. The bands can be easily matched to the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) levels.
You can retake the exam as many times as you wish, in order to keep improving your score.
There are two types of IELTS exams: IELTS General Training, and IELTS Academic. The academic exam is recommended for gaining entrance to an English-speaking university, and also for working in a professional organisation. The IELTS General exam can support a UK visa application if you want to live, work or study below university level in the UK – but you should check with the organisation you’re applying to or with UK immigration about whether it's best to take the general or academic exam.
The exams can be taken at a test centre in more than 140 countries and are offered up to 4 times per month. You can take the reading, writing, and listening exam online, but the speaking is always in person. The results are usually valid for 2 years.
For more information, you can go to: https://www.ielts.org/
TOEFL iBT – Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based Test
This one is said to be the most-taken academic English exam in the world. It is used primarily for university entrance, but anyone can take it. The exam certification is accepted by over 11,000 universities and other institutions in more than 150 countries. Like the IELTS, it is multi-level and tests all 4 skills. It is offered weekly in authorised test centres, and valid for 2 years. The scores are on a scale of 0-120 and they can also be matched to the CEFR levels.
TOEIC – Test of English for International Communication
This is a widely accepted and popular exam for business environments, and it is particularly popular with students in Asia. It is trusted by more 14,000 organisations in over 160 countries.
Like the IELTs and the TOEFL iBT, it is a multi-level exam and is valid for 2 years. It can be 2-skill (listening and reading) or 4-skill. The scores range between 10 and 990 and can be matched to CEFR levels. Public test sessions are held in various testing locations around the world throughout the year, and you can also take the test within some institutions.
TOEIC Bridge
The TOEIC Bridge is a listening and reading test, aimed at beginner to intermediate learners. It can be useful if you work, or want to work, in a business environment in which you need basic English only.
https://www.ets.org/toeic/bridge
Cambridge suite of exams
These are specific-level exams offered by Cambridge Assessment English. The range of exams is very wide, and this is one of the few providers that has specific exams for children - from young learners to young adults - as well as exams for adults and Business English. Not only that, they also cover all the main CEFR levels, from “pre-A1” to proficiency (C2). Many exams stop at C1, so this exam has a distinct advantage if you’re at a high level and looking to really stand out.
Another advantage is that like most specific-level exams, they are pass/fail and your grade doesn’t expire. Students can enter at any level and if you want to, you can work your way up.
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/
Linguaskill
This is a skills-based, multi-level exam, provided by Cambridge Assessment English. The test is online, you can do it any time, and the results are available within 48 hours. It’s a quick and convenient way to find out what your current level is.
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/
Trinity College London exams
These are specific level exams. Three of the most popular are:
ISE – Integrated Skills in English
This exam tests all 4 skills, from A2-C2. There are two exam modules 1) Reading & Writing and 2) Speaking and Listening. The two modules can be taken separately, and students are awarded the qualification when they’ve passed both. It is designed for people who need English skills for study and work.
GESE – Graded Examinations in Spoken English
This exam covers pre-A1 - C2, and it is a one-to-one assessment of speaking and listening skills, with a qualified Trinity examiner. It focuses on communication skills for people of all ages who want to develop their communicative skills for any reason, including every-day life, work, visa, and academic purposes.
ESOL Skills for Life qualifications
These are specifically for people living in the UK, and the focus is on preparing them for every-day life, including work. Tests are sat at approved test centres.
Trinity College London offers a total of 6 English language exams, one of which is specifically for young learners, so it’s worth looking on their website for more detail.
https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/english-language
Other popular tests around the world include:
MET – Michigan English Test
This is a multi-level American English exam for both adults and children. It can be used for educational and professional purposes. It is aimed at A2-C1 levels, with an emphasis on B1 and B2. The scoring ranges from 0-320.
For C2 level, there is also an exam called the MET ECPCE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English).
https://michiganassessment.org/michigan-tests/met/
Pearsons Test of English (PTE)
There are two Pearsons Test of English – one is general, and one is academic. The academic exam is multi-level. It is computer based, you need to go to a test centre to do it, and the tests are offered about 5 times a year. It is aimed at people who want to study abroad or for immigration purposes, and it tests all 4 skills.
The general PTE has specific level exams, also via a test centre. There are 6 levels, and students take the test designed for their level. There are only two tests – writing and speaking. However, the writing test does also assess reading and listening.
For more information: https://pearsonpte.com/
So there you have it: a summary of some of the exams you can take if you need to have an exam qualification for study, work, visa purposes, or just because you want to keep an official track of your progress. All of that said, many people don’t want to take exams. And if an exam qualification is not a requirement in your life, don’t feel pressurised! You can simply find a teacher, online course or book that feels right for you. There’s a world of possibilities out there. In fact, as my Grandma used to say: the world is your oyster*!
*Yes, that’s another idiom 😊
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