These days, there are many exams that test your English proficiency. CISL is proud to offer test preparation courses for the CAE, FCE, IELTS, and TOEFL exams. Which test is perfect for you? Read on to learn a little more about each test.

How to Choose the Right Proficiency Exam

Before you decide on exam, ask yourself these questions:

Why are you taking this exam? Certain schools and companies require scores for one test. If you are taking the exams specifically for a company or school, make sure that you know which scores they accept.
How much time do you have to prepare? Consider how much time you have to devote to your studies.

Read on to learn some more about each of the tests offered at CISL.

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language

Purpose: the TOEFL Exam measures your ability to understand English in an academic setting.

Length: roughly 3 hours

Format: Computer-based with 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Speaking – TOEFL iBT begins with 2 questions to report and comment on and integrated questions that require reading and listening as well.
Listening – Questions are in multiple-choice format.
Reading – There are 3-5 readings and questions are in multiple-choice format
Writing – Prompts can include Present/Support an Opinion, Explain a Preference, Compare and Contrast

Scoring: The test uses a 0 – 120 point scale. Each section is scored from 0 – 30 points, and those points are added together to determine the total score.

Score is valid for: 2 years

Cambridge CAE

(Certificate of Advanced English)

Purpose: The CAE Exam measures your ability to understand English in an academic and business settings. It is designed for students who are at the CEFR B2/C1 level. The CEFR (“Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”) is the standard system used by many organizations to determine a student’s level of English. For more information on the CEFR, click here.

Length: Roughly 4 hours; usually over two days (the Speaking Test is given on a separate day)

Format: Paper or computer-based with 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Speaking – The speaking exam consists of two students meeting with two Cambridge representatives. This section is only 15 minutes. There can be three students on occasion.
Listening – 40 minutes total (plus time at the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet).
Reading and Use of English – One hour and 30 minutes.
Writing – One hour and 30 minutes.

Scoring: The score is between 0 – 100 and is based on the total score from all five sections. There are also letter grades, and each corresponds to a number range.

A – 80-100
B – 75-79
C – 60-74
CEFR Level B2 – 45-49
Fail – 0-44

Score is valid for: An indefinite amount of time. However, some companies require you to have taken the test within a certain amount of time.

Click here for an explanation of Cambridge CAE and FCE scores.

Cambridge FCE

(First Certificate of English)

Purpose: The FCE Exam measures your ability to understand English in an academic and business settings. It is designed for students who are at the CEFR B1/B2 level.

Length: Roughly 4 hours; usually over two days (the Speaking Test is given on a separate day)

Format: Paper or computer-based with 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Speaking – The speaking exam consists of two students meeting with two Cambridge representatives. This section is only 15 minutes. There can be three students on occasion.
Listening – 40 minutes total (plus time at the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet).
Reading and Use of English – One hour and 30 minutes.
Writing – One hour and 30 minutes.

Scoring: The score is between 0 – 100 and is based on the total score from all five sections. There are also letter grades, and each corresponds to a number range.

A – 80-100
B – 75-79
C – 60-74
CEFR Level B2 – 45-49
Fail – 0-44

Score is valid for: An indefinite amount of time. However, some companies require you to have taken the test within a certain amount of time.

IELTS

(International English Language Testing System)

Purpose: The IELTS Exam has two forms: Academic and General Training.

Academic is for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education, as well as professionals who want to study or work in an English-speaking country.

General training is for those who plan to do non-academic training, gain work experience or fulfill immigration requirements.

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, many in the US and various professional organizations around the world. It is also a requirement for immigrating to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Length: There are 4 sections – reading, writing, listening and speaking. The reading, writing and listening modules are 2:45 long. Speaking is about 15 minutes, but can be taken up to 7 days before or after the rest of the exam.

Format: Administered by an examiner.

Speaking – Divided into General Topics, One Prepared Topic and Discussion.
Listening – There are a variety of question types and you need to write exactly what you hear. Spelling is also important.
Reading – 3 passages with questions including multiple choice, writing words, matching and summarizing.
Writing – The prompts can include: Present and Support an Opinion; Discuss Problems/Solutions; Weigh Two Arguments

All candidates take the same listening and speaking modules, but the reading and writing modules are different for Academic and General Training versions.

Scoring: The score is a scale from 1-9. The accepted score varies with each company and university.

Score is valid for: An indefinite amount of time. However, some companies require you to have taken the test within a certain amount of time (usually 2 years).

For more information on CISL’s test preparation courses, click here.