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Types of official English exams

Do you know you need a degree but with so many types of official English exams you don’t know where to start? No worries! We tell you everything you need to know to choose the one that best suits you.

Yes, yes. There is no better or worse type of official exam, each one has its advantages and will help you achieve your different objectives. Here we go!

5 types of official English exams: what they are and what they are for

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

It is a standardized test of academic English for students who want to enter universities in the United States or Canada.

It can be done in several ways, but the two most popular are:

  • TOEFL iBT: Examines in depth the actual level of all the skills used in the classroom.
  • TOEFL Essentials: Shorter, cheaper and online.

Other ways are TOEFL ITP (testing program used by the institutions themselves), TOEFL Junior and TOEFL Primary.

Students generally take between 3 and 6 months to prepare for the exam, and the scores are on a scale from 0 to 120.

What is it for?
Primarily for university admissions in the US and Canada.

Expiration:
Expires after 2 years.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

It is one of the most valued exams when it comes to getting a job abroad and to access international universities, especially in Europe. There are two types of IELTS:

  • IELTS Academic: Test the level for the academic environment. This exam is usually taken if you want to study abroad or apply for a level 4 student visa in the United Kingdom.
  • IELTS General Training: Demonstrates practical day-to-day English skills. Examines a more practical and everyday context, simulating work and social situations in the test. This exam is usually taken if you want to work in a foreign country.

What is it for?
Required to study and work in English-speaking countries.

Expiration:
Expires after 2 years.

Cambridge English Exams (FCE, CAE, CPE)

They are the most recognized types of official English exams with the greatest future projection. They are highly valued by educational institutions and organizations, both public and private. Furthermore, its greatest advantage is that it has no expiration date. They are divided into 5, depending on the degree of knowledge of the language:

  • KET (Key English Test): Equivalent to an A2 of the European Reference Framework.
  • PET (Preliminary English Test): Equivalent to a B1 of the European Reference Framework.
  • FCE (First Certificate English): Equivalent to a B2 of the European Reference Framework. It is a high intermediate level and is usually recommended for most objectives.
  • CAE (Cambridge Advanced English): Equivalent to a C1 of the European Reference Framework.
  • CPE (Cambridge Proficiency English): Equivalent to a C2 of the European Reference Framework.

What is it for?
Internationally recognized certifications for work and studies.

Expiration:
They do not expire, but it is recommended to update every 5 years.

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

It is a computer-based English level test. Widely accepted by universities, colleges and governments around the world for access to UK and Australian studies. It lasts about 3 hours, in which academic English and everyday English are evaluated through 3 blocks: Speaking/writing, listening and reading.

One of the great advantages of this test is the speed with which it provides results (5 days) and the acceptance it has in Australia and New Zealand for immigration and student visas.

What is it for?
Approval for study and work in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Expiration:
Expires after 2 years.

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)

It is a standardized English exam aimed at professionals and companies, and is usually studied through self-study.

These are two tests:

  • Reading and listening comprehension: It is the most popular test. It is done in person at specialized centers and its score ranges from 10 to 990. Both parts have the same weighting.
  • Oral and written skills: It is done from a computer and does not involve an examiner, but rather the student records and writes their answers. The score ranges from 0 to 400. As in the comprehension part, both parts have the same weight.

It is not necessary to perform both tests, since the result is not the combination of both, but rather they are separate.

What is it for?
English assessment in the work environment.
Expiration:
It has no official expiration date, but it is recommended to update every 2-3 years.

Do you have doubts about what type of official English exams you are interested in? Are you thinking about studying abroad and want to count on one of them? Tell us your case without obligation and we will help you achieve it.

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