What are the international English exams?
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Cambridge exams
What English proficiency test to choose?
What are the international English exams?
They serve as English proficiency tests and fulfill three main tasks:
⋅ test your level and confirm your knowledge of the language;
⋅ allow you to enter a university and study in a foreign country;
⋅ are used to confirm or improve professional skills.
Types of English exams
International English examinations are usually conducted by companies and universities in the USA and the UK, each using different methods to assess candidates' knowledge.
There are different types, ranging from the Business English Certificate to the Teachers' Certificate, which grants the right to teach the language. Another feature of the exams is the level, which is often determined by the candidate themself. You can choose from A1 to C2.
English Language tests for international students
International English tests list:- TOEFL — Test of English as a foreign language
- IELTS — International English language test system
The demand of the Cambridge exams is also high:
- FCE — First certificate in English
It tests your ability to use everyday written and spoken English at an intermediate level.
- CAE — Certificate in advanced English
The more difficult CAE exam is recognised by numerous institutions and companies worldwide.
- CPE — Certificate of proficiency in English
It is intended for students who have achieved a high level of the English language and are able to communicate successfully in their academic studies.
- BEC — Business English certificate
BEC exams are recommended for professionals who want to evaluate and confirm their Business English.
- KET — Key English test PET — Preliminary English test
KET is an elementary level exam that tests basic communication skills in English. It's suitable for those new to English who can understand and use simple phrases and expressions.
- YLE — Young Learners English test
YLE exams are for children. There are three levels – Starters, Movers, and Flyers – to motivate young learners and monitor their language skills.
In this article, we will talk about popular international exams that allow you to enter top universities abroad and study in an English-based programmes.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System is the most popular exam and is required for applications to the universities in the UK, Canada and the Commonwealth countries. The exam is available in three versions, designed for different goals.
For example, Academic IELTS is taken for entry into school or higher education. The exam is a harder version of the tasks and includes analysing graphs, tables and reading.
General Training IELTS can be necessary for work visas in English-speaking countries and offers simplified texts as well as tasks that can be met after your immigration.
The IELTS Life Skills Test is another version of the exam, consisting of only two sections: reading and listening. This format is recommended if you wish to obtain a work visa in England, continue your studies on a course, or for other purposes such as living in an English-speaking society.
A nice feature of the IELTS exam is that you can take it on a computer or in written form.
Listening, reading, writing and speaking are four parts of the exam which we will discuss closely.
The listening section allows you to evaluate your ability to grasp the meaning of English oral speech. Each recording is played only once, so it is important to understand the gist of what you hear immediately.
The Reading paper is one hour in length and includes questions on three texts. The Academic version requires you to read advanced texts and answer questions after. General Training papers cover everyday topics. All texts are taken from books, magazines and newspaper articles.
The Writing section also offers different tasks depending on which version of the exam you choose. In the Academic version, task 1 is to research a graph or chart. In the General Training version you are asked to write a letter on the given topic. Task 2 is an essay.
The Speaking section is an interview with the examiner. This part remains the same for all versions of the exam. You can do this section on the same day as the other parts of the exam, or the week before or after the Writing Paper. The IELTS speaking test lasts only 15 minutes.
The result is available within 2 weeks of taking the exam. The maximum score is 9.
The advantage of IELTS over other international exams is that you do not need to choose a proficiency level of the test.
The scores gained on the exam are related to language proficiency levels on a scale. A score of 5 in the exam gives you a B1 (intermediate) level certificate, C1 (advanced) level starts at 7.
TOEFL
If you want to apply to a university in the United States or Canada, you may be asked to take the TOEFL test.
It is a well-known English language test that is recognised by around 8,500 universities in more than 130 countries all over the world. North American universities give their preference to TOEFL rather than IELTS, which is better known in England and the British Commonwealth. IELTS is administered by the British Council, an international organisation that promotes cooperation in education, culture and the arts between the UK and other countries, and TOEFL is administered by ETS, a non-profit educational organisation.
The exam consists of four sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening), each of which requires at least one task.
The reading section is an analysis of academic texts taken from the scientific literature. The level of language in these passages is considered to be evidence of the fluency in English required for university study. For each text, there are 10 questions to which you have to select answers from 4 options.
The next part of the exam is listening, where the candidate has to listen to lectures and dialogues in English. This is followed by speaking. This part of the exam is done without a scribe, you just have to record your answers into a microphone.
The final part of the TOEFL is an essay. You must use information from a text material you have read or heard to form your own opinion on a particular topic. The second task is an essay, in which the test taker has to express his or her point of view on a given issue.
At the end of the exam, you can achieve a maximum of 120 points, which corresponds to the C2 proficiency level.
Cambridge exams
Cambridge exams also provide a certificate of English language proficiency: from beginner to fluent.
For schoolchildren there is a series of exams called YLE (Young Learners English) Starters, Movers and Flyers, which correspond to levels A1-A2. For adults and older students, the exams start at A2 and go up to C2.
Let's look at the structure of the exams in more detail.
The Reading and Correct Use of Vocabulary section lasts over 1 hour and tests not only your ability to understand a passage of text, but also your ability to use vocabulary and English grammar correctly.
This is followed by 2 written tasks. In the first one, you have to write an essay, and in task 2, the candidate has to complete a piece of writing of his/her choice (from a review to a testimonial to a personal letter).
The block of listening tasks is practically no different from the previous international exams discussed in this article. It is necessary to listen to the audio recordings and write down the correct answers.
The examination ends with the Speaking section. A person must first answer all the questions asked by the examiner and then prepare a dialogue on a given topic in pairs with another examinee.
A maximum of 210 points can be achieved in the exam, which qualifies a candidate for level C2. To confirm level C1, the pass score is more than 180 points. As a general rule, B2 level certificates are accepted for admission to a Bachelor's degree.
What English proficiency test to choose?
Your choice of an exam for non-native English speakers will depend on your future goals. If you want to apply to a particular university or a college, it is advisable to find out in advance which certificate the admissions committee accepts as proof of English language ability.
Keep in mind that there are exams with a limited validity period, such as TOEFL and IELTS, which it is better to take before entering a university.
In conclusion, whichever exam you choose, you should prepare thoroughly. The best way to prepare is to immerse yourself in an English-speaking environment, such as the British International School.
At the school, highly qualified specialists, teachers and tutors from the UK and other English-speaking countries create the conditions for fast and successful language learning: a multicultural atmosphere, individual approach and effective teaching methods. The British International School graduates go on to the world's top universities.
The International Programme prepares students for all international English exams such as the Cambridge Exams, TOEFL and most importantly at our school, we prepare students for IELTS, which has become one of the most important indicators of a student's level of English in recent years.
We use a range of texts, textbooks, workbooks and supplementary materials that develop and practice the key language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The textbooks cover common topics such as the environment, social issues allowing students to broaden their knowledge and perspective on current affairs.
Want to know more? We offer personalised tours for parents of prospective students.
You can book an individual tour of the school and a meeting with the Headteacher by calling +7 (495) 987 44 86, +7 (495) 426 03 11 or by emailing admissions@bismoscow.com.
You can find more information about our study programmes on our website: https://bismoscow.com/
