Studying for an English proficiency test online might be a terrifying task. You can still succeed and boost your language skills with the appropriate practice and advice. Studying for a test is most effective when one is aware of the test’s structure and the types of questions that could be asked. When you know what to expect, you can prioritize your study time and put in the most effort where it is most needed.
It is also recommended that you find a tutor specializing in the spoken English test. In this post, you’ll find a rundown of the most widely taken English proficiency exams and some advice on how to best prepare for them.
TOEFL
Non-native speakers of English can be evaluated on their proficiency in reading, writing, listening to, and speaking Standard American English in higher education by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). It is necessary for students whose first language is not English to attend schools where English is the language of instruction.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are responsible for coordinating and delivering the TOEFL (IELTS).
Length
3 hours
Format
The four subtests that make up the TOEFL are reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Scoring
A maximum score of 30 is available on the TOEFL, and each section can be taken separately. If you add your points in each of the four categories, you get a total score of 120. After that, it gets translated to a score between zero and one hundred.
Pass score
The TOEFL has no set minimum score required to pass. Every school has its minimum GPA requirement. Higher TOEFL scores are typically required for competitive universities. Schools with lower requirements may accept scores in the 60s and 70s.
Price
In the neighborhood of $200, on the whole, though this varies by area.
How to book
Candidates must first sign up digitally, then schedule their examination in a place local to them or submit an application to complete the training at their own pace.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most widely accepted standardized examinations of English proficiency. It is accepted by over 10,000 institutions, organizations, and agencies in over 140 countries. It is highly advised that your preparation for the IELTS exam includes speaking and listening practice with a real person, as this is the only English proficiency test online where human ratings evaluate your performance.
Length
Listening – 30 mins
Reading – 60 mins
Training reading – 60 mins
Academic writing – 60 mins
Training writing – 60 mins
Speaking – 11-14 mins
Format
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) offers General Training and an academic exam edition. The purpose of the academic examination is to evaluate the candidate’s English proficiency in the context of higher education, such as whether or not the candidate is prepared to enroll in a particular university. IELTS General Training is more comprehensive than the Academic version. This exam is meant to evaluate your practice, or “daily,” command of the spoken English test, making it ideal for use in the workplace.
Both exams comprehensively evaluate your four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) in the English language. One or two certified examiners deliver the test face-to-face.
Scoring
Each test section has a point value between 1 and 9. (1 being low). The sum of your sectional and overall test results equals your final score.
Pass score
The IELTS does not have a set minimum score required to pass. Every school has its minimum GPA requirement.
Price
In the neighborhood of $250, on average, though this varies by locality.
How to book
Since a group of examiners administers the IELTS exams, you will need to check availability, register, book, and pay for the exam.
The Cambridge C1 Exam and Cambridge C2 Exam (Advanced and Proficiency)
Cambridge Assessment English’s highest-level tests are the C1 and C2 Certificates. They are made to evaluate your proficiency in academic and professional settings where English is spoken.
Length
C1
Reading and English Use – 1 hour 30 minutes
Writing – 1 hour 30 minutes
Listening – Around 40 minutes
Speaking Duration– Speaking time is limited to 15 minutes for each pair of candidates (you complete this part of the test with another candidate)
C2
Reading and English Use – 1 hour 30 minutes
Writing – 1 hour 30 minutes
Listening – Around 40 minutes
Speaking Duration– 16 minutes per candidate pair (you complete this part of the test with another candidate)
Format
There are four parts to the C1 exam: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. A C2 exam is just like a C1 exam but harder.
To prove you can communicate effectively in English at a native level, you must take and pass these tests. To earn the “Certificate in Advanced English (CAE),” you must pass the C1 exam. One can earn a “Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)” by doing well on the C2 exam.
Scoring
Your total score is calculated by averaging the scores from each test segment. You must get between 180 and 200 to move to the C1 level. The passing range for the C2 level is 200–230.
Pass score
For both C1 and C2, there is no fixed minimum required grade. Every school has its minimum GPA requirement. To receive a certificate for the C1 level, your score needs to be at least 180, and the C2 level requires a score of 200.
Price
The average cost is about $265, although this varies widely depending on where you live.
How to book
More than 2800 testing facilities may be found in 180 different countries. Find a center near you, and schedule an appointment time that works for you.
CAEL
The Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) exam is designed for international students who are not native English speakers and wish to enroll in a postsecondary institution in Canada.
Length
Around 3.5 hours
Format
There are two forms of the CAEL examination: the General CAEL and the Academic CAEL. The Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAEL) – General evaluates how well you can use English in various situations, including school and work. The Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAEL) – Academic is a test of academic English language competency.
There are four distinct parts to each Spoken English test. The four pillars of communication are voice, print, audio, and text.
Scoring
Participants receive a score between 10 and 90 on each test question. The final grade is the cumulative average of your sectional grades.
Pass score
No hard and fast minimum score is required for CAEL; instead, it is determined by the individual college or university. Most schools, however, have a minimum total score requirement of 60.
Price
In Canada, you’d have to add another $280 for taxes. Booking from outside the country may result in a price increase.
How to book
Schedule your exam online and take it in a testing facility or at home.
Get ready to pass your English proficiency test.
Numerous English proficiency tests online are available, but they all aim to do the same thing: assess your current level of English ability. You can do well on any of these exams with the appropriate mindset and some advice.
