What is an English proficiency test and what are the different types of English proficiency tests? English proficiency test is basically a test, ensuring that your English skill is as equivalent to that of the people of that nationality and you can understand academics and society. Majority of the foreign universities need you to qualify one or the other English test especially if you belong to a non- English speaking country. Fun fact, many of the universities from different countries like the UK, Singapore also apply for English exam waiver depending on case to case basis.
Below are the different types of examinations offered :
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
As the name suggests it is an English language examination which is globally accepted by more than 11000 universities worldwide. Major countries like The USA thrives on TOEFL as their accepted English examination. There are three different types of TOEFL examination:
TOEFL- IBT: Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based Test is the primary format of TOEFL and preferred by 97% of the TOEFL test takers. IBT comprises of 4 sections i.e Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. Individual sections have a varying score range and a total score of 120. The interesting fact about the pattern is, there is no specific grammar section and all the sections are inter-dependent. TOEFL has exam dates in almost every 10-15 days in almost every major cities.
TOEFL - PBT: Test of English as a Foreign Language – Paper Based Test is as the name suggests paper pen test. This format of the test is usually for those areas where internet facility is comparatively less. However, this format is on the edge of fading out soon as IBT grows popular.
TOEFL – ITP: This type of TOEFL is usually given by the teachers in classes to evaluate their students for English proficiency. This test is mainly taken by the one who is already staying in the USA and wants to sign up for English as Second Language
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
It is an English proficiency test if you want to study or work. This is one of the most popular and preferred types of English proficiency test. The exam is evaluated in four different parameters of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The scoring is on a scale of 0 to 9 where 0 being the lowest and 9 being the highest. IELTS is conducted by two different examinations conducting body i.e British Council and IDP. This exam is conducted in two different formats: Internet-based and Pen Paper-based test. The exam dates are usually available every week as per to availability of the slots, and it is always recommended to have a minimum 15 days gap. IELTS are of two types:
IELTS Academic: This exam is taken by the one who wants to pursue higher studies abroad or professional registration.
IELTS General: This English proficiency test is for the one who is willing to migrate or work.
IELTS Academic UKVI: This exam is specific to UK universities.
PTE (Pearson Test of English)
PTE is a computer-based examination which is accepted by the universities around the globe. The English proficiency test to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers of the English language. The two tests are PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI. This score is accepted by countries like Australia, New Zealand, The United Kingdom. However, its always recommended confirming once with the education counsellor about the acceptance of the scores. It is three-hour-long computer-based test focusses on day to day English rather than high-level English language and tests a student on his/her ability to effectively understand the language as spoken daily. The multi-level grading system ensures a better understanding of the student’s proficiency in the English language.
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
The CAE is also known as Cambridge English: Academic or C1 Advanced is an exam offered by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations in more than 100 countries. Over 3,000 educational institutes, governments and employers around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia and North America, accept CAE scores for this purpose. For example, the UK Border Agency accepts CAE for student visa applications, and the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) awards points towards your college application that correspond to your score in the exam. It is intended to assess students at the C1 level of the CEFR; this test is also an effective assessment tool for the B2 and C2 levels of the CEFR. Scoring well on the FCE indicates that a person can function at a high level in an English speaking environment.
CPE (Certificate in Professional English)
The Cambridge English: Proficiency exam, also known as CPE or C2 Advanced, is the highest level exam in the Cambridge English exam suite. It proves that you are a highly competent English speaker. It is also accepted by many universities and colleges of the UK.
Duolingo English test
This is a modern-day English language test. With COVID coming into the picture, it was the need of the hour to have altogether an alternate method of English examination to which this is a surprise for all. Duolingo does not need any specific exam centres. The exam comprises of four sections which are:
Conversation: Measures candidates listening and speaking skills
Comprehension: Reading and Listening skills are evaluated
Literacy: Evaluate the candidate’s reading and writing
Production: Speaking and writing skills are evaluated in this set
It is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 160, where 0 is the lowest and 160 being the highest.
Conclusion
The above information is the first of “The English Proficiency Test” series. I’ll be explaining on every single type of examination in much more detail in upcoming articles. Till then, keep reading!!
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