Confused as to which English exam you should choose? You’ve landed in the right place!
Almost all the colleges and universities in the world offer their courses in English so that they can be understood well by the international students coming from different parts of the world. So, when you apply for admission at a foreign university, you’re most likely to submit an English language certificate which acts as a proof that you’ve enough English knowledge to participate in the courses, understand the study materials well.
But the problem is, which official English exam to take? With so many different options available, one can easily get confused and face hard time in selecting the right one. To help you with this and to save your time and effort, here we are providing the best English exams with official cetification.
So, without any further delay, let’s dive in!
TOEFL
When it comes to official English tests with the most value, TOEFL tops the list. It is the most popular certification in the world. Usually it is offered online through an Internet-Based Test but can also be given offline in the areas with no internet connection. Regardless of the type, the papers are conducted in authorized test centers.
While TOEFL iBT comes with a duration of three hours, the offline paper-based exam takes 2 hours and 25 minutes to complete because it doesn’t include the English speaking part.
The online TOEFL test has four sections each of which is graded with 30 points. So, overall scores add up to 120 points. The four sections include Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Moreover, the certificate of TOEFL is valid for 2 years.
IELTS
IELTS takes an academic English examination for both academic and professionals. Similar to TOEFL, it is a very popular English test among the students and professionals who are applying to foreign universities. IELTS can also be used for immigration and getting work-related permits. It has four sections including Academic Writing, Academic Reading, Listening and Speaking. The duration of this test is two hours and 45 minutes and it can be given online as well as offline. However, the speaking part is compulsory in both the versions so you have to interact with a certified examiner.
The results are declared on a scale of 1-9 in which average scores are considered to be somewhere between 5.5 to 6.5. IELTS English certificate is also valid for 2 years.
TOEIC
TOEIC is a common communication test which is mostly used for businesses. Generally, a majority of companies in the world require people to have a good TOEIC score as a proof of their English proficiency. It shows that the person can understand and interact well with the English-speaking clients.
Most of the companies ask for TOEIC scores at the time of application and sometimes once in every two years to make sure that the employee has a good e English understanding. Just like TOEFL and IELTS, the TOEIC certificate is also valid for 2 years.
PTE
Pearson English Language Test has become much popular over recent years and the number of colleges and universities accepting it as the official English language certificate are increasing day by day. Unlike TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS, PTE has only three sections including Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Note that “speaking and writing” is a single section.
The duration of the PTE test is three hours and it is only available in the online version. This means, there is no paper-based exam for PTE. The results are declared in grades ranging from 10 to 90 on a global English scale. The average scores of PTE usually range from 50 to 60, most of the colleges ask for these minimum points. Moreover, the PTE certificate stays valid for up to 2 years.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH EXAMS
Next in our list is a set of Cambridge English exams. These exams are a bit different from all the exams listed above. These tests are like traditional exams where you either pass or fail
So, instead of getting your English scores or grades, you’ll have to pass a given cut-off score to qualify the test.
This is the reason why you need to give the exam to your English level. This is possible because Cambridge exams are available at different levels and you can easily choose the one according to your English knowledge. The levels are as follows :
PET – Preliminary
It is the lowest level of exam and if you pass this level, it means you have enough English knowledge to communicate with people.
FCE – First
The students with strong intermediate level are recommended to take this test. This proves that you have enough English knowledge to live in an English speaking nation.
CAE – Advanced
Students with higher English knowledge can give this exam. To pass this test, you should have excellent spoken and written English knowledge.
CPE – Proficiency
If you want to prove that your English level is the same as a native English speaker, then you can give this test. It is a comparatively tough exam and passing it is no less than an achievement.
The best part about Cambridge exams is, the certificates are valid for a lifetime. So, you can take these one time and use them in the rest of your life to prove your English knowledge. Find the best Cambridge exam preparation courses.
Other English Exams
Apart from the ones mentioned in the list, there are some other tests you can consider taking. They are also accepted by a number of universities and businesses. These include the following :
Integrated Skills in English – ISE
EFSET
Business English Certificate (BEC)
Duolingo English Test
So, these are some popular official English language tests you can choose from. But preparing for any test will require a lot of time and effort. From Ynsitu, you have a wide range of english exam preparation courses. With this platform, you can not only prepare for your desired test but can also take them right there.