English Language Certificates – A Complete Guide

Today, universities and colleges all over the world deliver classes delivered entirely in English, making it possible for foreign students to participate in programs of study abroad.

When you go to a university, you would most likely receive an English-language diploma, which shows that you have adequate experience to take part in courses and comprehend textbooks and other research materials.

To complete an English exam and receive a proficiency diploma, you would need to spend a lot of time and money based on the present level of English. That's why you should start studying and training as soon as possible and taking the English test early, so you won't miss the university application deadline.

Below, we'll get some basic knowledge about the English language credentials that are commonly recognized around the world. It will help you to understand their composition and qualifications, and you will be able to determine which test to take before you study abroad (if your university allows more than one test).

Language Levels

The Common European Framework (CEFR) splits learners into six different stages:

A Basic Speaker

·         A1 Breakthrough or beginner (novice) 

·         A2 Waystage or elementary

B Autonomous Speaker

·         B1 Threshold or intermediate

·         B2 Viewpoint or upper intermediate

C Skilled Speaker

·         C1 Successful Technical Competence or advanced

·         C2 Expertise or competence

Discover English Language Schools around the world

For each standard, there is a definition of what the learner will be able to do in terms of reading, listening, communicating and writing. These definitions shall refer to every language. Usually, the planned level of research programs in most countries is around B. However, a higher degree may be required for certain academic institutions or programs (e.g. English literature).

Most universities and colleges typically list the minimum score for the English test on their webpage or research pages. Please review what English exam you need to pass and what score to prevent getting trouble with your application later. NCG (New College Group) is one of the best language schools in Europe based out in the United Kingdom (Manchester & Liverpool) & Ireland (Dublin).

English Certification

English is the most common language of instruction. Also, for globally-focused regional services, a credential can be required to show that you have adequate English skills to teach English. The qualifications listed below are the most used in the academic sector.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS provides an academic version of the exam intended for undergraduate and technical use. Unlike TOEFL, IELTS is one of the world's most common English language exams. IELTS is also approved as language evidence for other job permits and for citizenship. IELTS Academic has four components or sections:

·         Listening

·         Academic Reading

·         Academic Writing

·         Speaking

They add up to a study time of approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. IELTS Educational is available online and on paper. In all models, the speech aspect is face-to-face with a trained interviewer.

The findings of the IELTS test using a scale of 1-9. Popular scores needed to be accepted to English programs typically vary from 5.5 to 6.5. Like TOEFL, IELTS prices vary from country to country. For comparison, IELTS Educational costs range between USD 215-240 in the US and USD 331-337 in Norway.

The IELTS certificate shall be valid for two years.

Cambridge English Qualifications

Cambridge English Language Assessment (formerly the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations) is a non-profit organization providing qualifications in English at various language levels. We offer many forms of tests, but the most common ones are: the B2 First (formerly known as the First Certification of English-FCE) is around the same standard as the TOEFL examination scores (B1-B2) and the IELTS 5.5-6.5. It takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to finish.

C1 Advanced (formerly known as CAE Certification of Advanced English) is targeted at a high C1-C2 standard (comparable to IELTS 6.5 – 8.0) and is approved by many UK universities and more than 9,000 professional institutions and companies worldwide. This takes about four hours to finish.

The C2 Proficiency (formerly known as the Certification of Proficiency in English-CPE) is the most advanced exam, ranking at C2 level just above the average TOEFL standard and equivalent to 8.5 and beyond in the IELTS examination. This takes about four hours to finish.

All 3 English tests (B2 First, C1 Intermediate, C2 Proficiency) are split into 4 parts:

·         Reading & Use of English
       writing

·         Listening

·         Speaking

Cambridge qualifications are primarily used in the UK but are also recognized by other universities and colleges worldwide. Even, they're not as common as TOEFL and IELTS.

In comparison to other certificates, the Cambridge credentials do not have an expiry date. Nonetheless, colleges and other organizations can select whether to accept findings older than 2-3 years.

Whether you can show that you have been learning or using English for years since you took the test, you might be on the safe side. Yet if you took the Cambridge test five years ago and have only used English rarely, you do not ask any institution to accept your diploma.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL is a world-famous English credential. For most cases, it is offered as an Internet-based exam (TOEFL iBT), but there is also a paper-based exam available only at places without an internet connection.

TOEFL iBT will take 3 hours to complete. The TOEFL paper-based test only takes 2 hours and 25 minutes as it does not require the speech part (answers can not be captured without a microphone and internet connection).

TOEFL iBT has four pieces. Every component is scored with up to 30 points, which adds up to a cumulative score of 120 points:

·         Reading

·         Listening

·         Speaking

·         Writing

During the whole assessment, you are communicating with a computer. In the first two sections, you read texts and listen to interviews on specific subjects, and then answer multiple-choice questions about the material.

For the speaking portion, the spoken answers are registered, submitted to an online score network and scored by three to six examiners. This electronic score network also measures the written portion.

Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic)

The PTE Academic Exam has risen a lot in popularity; an increasing number of universities recognize it as a valid evidence of the English skills of prospective foreign students. Like TOEFL ® iBT, IELTS Academic and Cambridge tests, which have four segments, the PTE curriculum is split into three sections:

·        Speaking and Writing

•      Reading
•          Listening

The PTE Academic Exam takes three hours to complete and is only available in a computer-based / online format. Grades vary from 10 to 90, using the Global Scale of English. Many universities and colleges have a minimum ranking of 50 – 60. So far as pricing is concerned, we have a common case. These vary depending on the country in which you take the test. For starters, PTE costs USD 200 in the US and USD 246 in Australia.

The PTE diploma is applicable for two years.

Arrange your free consultation with IEC Abroadwith our overseas educational consultants today to know more about the English Language Tests & study abroad opportunities.