Studying in foreign MBA schools, contract work, partnerships with international companies - each of these areas requires excellent knowledge of the English language and often a document confirming your level of knowledge of it. To feel confident in the exam and successfully pass the tests, come to the preparation courses at ALIBRA SCHOOL!

Types of certificates

After completing the training, you will be able to pass the exam and receive international certificates in English language in the field of management, jurisprudence and finance.

• BEC (Business English Certificates). The certificate confirms your knowledge of business English at one of three levels: Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced. The results of the exam are recognized by several thousand global companies, as well as major universities and international organizations. Having a BEC certificate is your ticket to the global career arena! You can pass certification at the ALIBRA SCHOOL examination center in Moscow. The certificate does not expire, so you do not have to confirm your knowledge in a few years.
• ILEC (International Legal English Certificate). This certificate is indispensable if you plan to develop an international career in the field of law. The results of the exam confirm the ability to work with correspondence, discuss the possibilities of resolving legal disputes in the field of corporate and international commercial law, tax law, understand legal texts and have a rich vocabulary of specialized vocabulary. The ILEC certificate is recognized by most international companies and has an unlimited validity period.
• ICFE (International Certificate in Financial English). This document is required by financiers, auditors, accountants, investment specialists, bankers who plan to build a career in international companies. Successful passing of the exam confirms knowledge and skills in reading, writing and colloquial speech on finance topics. The ICFE International Certificates in English are recognized by more than 6,000 universities, businesses, government departments and other organizations around the world. With this document, you increase your chances of finding a job in finance and accounting, moving up the career ladder in your own company, or starting your studies in international finance programs such as ACCA.
• BULATS (The Business Language Testing Service). If you need English for work and you want to have objective information about the level of English proficiency, take the BULATS online test. The exam cannot be failed, as according to its results you will be assigned a score confirming the degree of language proficiency on the international scale from A1 to C2. The test can be taken by employees of various specialties: administrative and production employees, technical and banking specialists, educators, etc. BULATS is also chosen by university students who plan to use English in the future. The received certificate is indefinite, but we recommend repeating the test every two or three years to control your level of language proficiency.
• GMAT (The Graduate Management Admission Test). If your plans include obtaining an MBA education, you need to pass a test that will give an objective assessment of your ability to further study. The GMAT is a general education test in English that tests reading, speaking, numeracy, analytical writing and thinking skills. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years and are accepted by most MBA schools worldwide. If you are not satisfied with the test results, you can take it again, but no more than 5 times a year.

Why is it worth preparing for international exams at ALIBRA SCHOOL

• Our school is Cambridge English Language Assessment accredited for student preparation and professional examinations.
• ALIBRA SCHOOL teachers, including native speakers, know all the nuances of passing each exam and will definitely draw your attention to them.
• In our English courses for an international certificate, you will hone your reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension skills, replenish your professional vocabulary and you can rehearse the exam.

Don't miss your chance to build a successful career! Sign up for English courses to prepare for international exams at ALIBRA SCHOOL!

Whether you are about to enter a higher education institution abroad, emigrate or interview and work in an international company, then in all of you you will need “proof” that you speak English at the proper level. This “proof” will be one of a number of international English language proficiency exams. Of course, you first need to decide which specific international exam is right for you in order to achieve your goal, and seriously prepare for it. So let's see what we have here.

Life does not stand still and presents us with surprises and many new things, demanding not to stop there. Each person strives to achieve certain results and leave his mark in this world. In modern society, the English language rises above all linguistic charters. In order to test your knowledge and document it, international exams in English were invented.

Some take them to study or work abroad, others use exams as an incentive to learn the language, and others need a certificate for a successful career in their country. Be that as it may, among English learners such exams are gradually gaining popularity all over the world. This article will talk about the most famous international exams in English, their comparison and, of course, the answer to the question "Is it necessary at all?". Let's start with him.

Why do you need an international exam?

Really! After all, this requires money (the exam is not free), energy and a lot of time! However, there are reasons for everything. For example:

• First of all, the exam is passed to receive a special certificate, which will officially confirm your knowledge. After receiving it, you will be able to enter prestigious universities that are located abroad (for example, in the USA or Canada,
  as well as other countries where the main language of communication is English). More than 7,500 educational institutions in the territory of English-speaking countries will require your document.
• Getting a decent job abroad also unlikely without a certificate, because no one needs illiterate employees. In order to settle down favorably abroad, you need to pass this exam and a certificate with a high score. The higher it is, the more likely it is that you will get a job with a high level of pay. Everyone wants to occupy not the last positions, but this requires hard training, a lot of desire and patience. Yes, different companies require different levels knowledge of the language, but often this indicator should be higher than 80 points. So... you better be ready.
• In addition, you can pass such an exam and for the purpose of self-assertion. It will be nice to test your abilities and get a document that will confirm your literacy and skills, and, perhaps, help you win the argument (the certificate will become iron proof).

Passing the exam is a guarantee that you know the language and can communicate and write fluently in it.

Types of international exams

The diversity of this sector of knowledge is due to specific preferences in certain regions of the world. That is, one exam is taken at one site, and another at another. Now we will introduce you to the main varieties of this section of knowledge.

AT recent times more and more people are taking international English exams: TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, FCE and others. Let's start with TOEFL.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

The most common and most popular type of international exam for the United States. The TOEFL exam was prepared by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), Princeton University, New Jersey, USA. main feature the TOEFL exam is that it is based on American English, so to pass the TOEFL successfully, you need to understand the lexical and grammatical subtleties that distinguish American English from British English.

This knowledge control is designed to determine the level of your knowledge at the academic level. Most likely, if you decide to study at universities in the United States or Canada, then you will have to take it. It is worth noting that this test for knowledge of American English has received approval and a lot of positive feedback from various government and even international organizations. Of course, we can say that this is the leading exam in English among its fellows.

The main purpose of the international exam TOEFL- assess the level of preparation of those for whom English is not native. Submitting TOEFL scores is a prerequisite for admission to more than 2,400 colleges and universities in the US, Canada and some other countries. The TOEFL certificate is a document required when enrolling in foreign universities to study under the MBA program, when obtaining the right to an internship in English or for applying for a job requiring knowledge of the English language. Some scientific and professional certification programs also require applicants to take the TOEFL. The certificate is valid for two years.

Now there are 2 versions of the test: Paper Based Test (PBT), that is, the test in writing on paper and Internet Based Test (iBT) - testing via the Internet. The second option has recently been considered preferable in many universities, as it includes tasks not only for reading, listening and writing, but also for speaking and combined tasks.

Like most exams of this type, it takes place in 4 stages:

• Reading(read and translate 3 texts, answer a series of questions);
• Letter(write 2 essays on given topics; emphasis on grammar, accuracy and stylistic correctness);
• listening(listen to 2 texts in American English and answer a series of questions, or pass a series of tests for each);
• Talk(communication with the examiner in American English + answer 6 questions, clearly formulating your thought).

All tasks must be completed with the utmost clarity. The approximate cost of this exam will be 260/180 US dollars for residents of Russia and Ukraine, respectively.

The maximum number of points in the computer version of TOEFL, which almost completely replaced the old paper version, is 120 . To study at a prestigious American university, on average, it takes at least 80 points.

IELTS - International English Language Testing System

This type of exam tests your knowledge of British English. IELTS appeared later than TOEFL, but it is gaining more and more popularity. This exam is considered more extensive, because unlike the previous one, it is divided and given in 2 modules.

You can take English at the academic level ( Academic Module, for applicants to universities abroad), or you can - in general ( General Module(for those who leave for permanent residence in Canada, Australia or New Zealand, etc.). Both versions also consist of 4 parts: "Reading" (60 minutes), "Writing" (60 minutes), "Listening" (40 minutes), "Speaking" (11-14 minutes). The first 2 parts in different modules are different, the other 2 - listening and interview - are the same. English texts for the exam are selected in such a way as to cover the maximum level of your knowledge and evaluate them objectively.

The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of receipt.

KET - Key English Test

The test is intended for adults and children from 15 years old. For kids younger age, namely from 11 to 14 years old, the Exam, being an exam of the University of Cambridge, was developed directly by the examination department of the Cambridge University of the same name ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

In principle, everyone who has recently begun to study English and has already achieved little success can take the exam. After all KET tests basic knowledge, including the ability to use simple phrases and expressions, easy grammatical structures in speech and writing. If you can introduce yourself, answer easy questions and also ask them, can speak briefly on any issue, are able to understand basic texts and catch the meaning of simple conversations in audio and video format, the international KET exam will help you evaluate your knowledge on professional level will show you your weaknesses and strong points in learning English, which means you can purposefully prepare for exams one step higher.

KET is the first of the General English block of exams, which measures knowledge in the field of general universal English. The exam confirms knowledge of the English language at a basic level (level A2 Council of Europe scales) and contains 3 parts:

• « Reading and Writing» (1 hour 10 minutes, read information from newspapers or magazines in English, and do several types of tasks based on it),
• « listening» (30 minutes, listen to announcements and monologues in the form of audio recordings at a slow pace, and answer a certain number of questions),
• « Speaking» (8-10 minutes, talking in pairs (with a partner) with two examiners, one of whom communicates with you, and the other evaluates your abilities).

Completed tasks checked by experts Cambridge ESOL, which evaluate your knowledge by the sum of points for all tests (stage 1 - 50%, 2nd and 3rd - 25% each). After a couple of months, you will be able to find out if you passed this exam (70% -84%), whether you succeeded in it (85% -100%), or coped with the task, but not quite well, so you get a level certificate A1 , which means that you can take part in a simple dialogue in English on a predictable topic, are able to write a simple questionnaire or note with the time, date and place, but this is not enough for the international KET exam. Well, if your percentage of points received is 0% -44% of correct information, then you failed the exam.

This exam involves Availability basic knowledge. Using the language for study, work or just travel, you will inevitably face the need to deepen the material that you know, and, therefore, you will be able to take international English exams at a higher level.

There are 5 international exams in this series: KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE. The upper limit is the CPE exam, which is taken by those who speak English almost like a native speaker. Accordingly, the international KET exam is the first step in improving your knowledge.

Certificate The international KET exam, like the other exams in this block, is valid for a lifetime, which means that you do not have to take this exam again to prove your knowledge. The only question is, will you be satisfied with your victory at this stage of language proficiency or will you strive for new heights, reinforcing your knowledge with increasingly difficult and serious exams?

Basic knowledge English, which are required for the international KET exam won't go unclaimed you. After all, from now on you will be able to communicate with native speakers, for example, when traveling abroad. You will learn to understand easy information presented in English rather than your native language, which will add to your advantage over those who do not study this language. Needless to say, employers of some organizations recognize the certificate of the international KET exam as a basic qualification in the field of learning English.

Every year international KET exam tend to surrender about 40,000 people from 60 countries of the world. To be one of them, all you have to do is register. training center The British Council, which takes this exam, pay the cost of the exam (6700 rubles in Russia and 2350 UAH in Ukraine), and pass all types of tests at the appointed time.

PET-Preliminary English Test

This is the second exam in the Cambridge General English series that certifies average level English proficiency; designed for those who want to discover opportunities to study, work and travel. The exam confirms knowledge of English at the intermediate level (level B1 Council of Europe scales). The PET certificate is recognized by many companies in the field of tourism, hospitality, the administrative field, as well as most educational institutions, as a confirmation of the average level of English proficiency.

Upon delivery PET you can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and understand what you should pay more attention to when improving your English. The PET certificate will give you confidence and make it much easier to prepare for higher level exams. In addition, it confirms your fluency in English in everyday life.

Cambridge certificates are perpetual and do not need to be retaken over time.

Like KET, the exam contains 3 parts - " Reading and Writing” (90 minutes, be able to make sentences, be able to read and understand the main idea of ​​articles from magazines), “ listening” (35 minutes, understand spoken language from various sources and people’s attitudes to what they say, their emotions and moods), “ Speaking» (10-12 minutes, talk with the examiner and paired with another student, be able to ask and answer questions). Due to the fact that this part of the “Speaking” test is taken in tandem with another candidate, the exam becomes the closest to real life situations.

It is assumed that at this level the candidate is capable understand factual information and express opinions, attitudes and moods in English both orally and in writing. The certificate confirms the ability to communicate on everyday topics with a native speaker.

In 2009, a special PET for schools exam was introduced. This exam is absolutely identical to the regular PET, with the only difference that the topics covered in the exam materials relate to school and school life, which makes it easier for candidates under the age of 15 to pass the exam.

For successful delivery examination, the candidate must be able to:

• Express simply and coherently;
• Feel free in most situations while traveling;
• Understand the essence of the conversation, as well as be able to express personal interests and communicate on familiar topics such as work, school, home, etc.;
• Talk about your experiences and events, and describe your dreams, hopes, and goals.

Result PET exam is the average arithmetic sum points for all three parts. The reading and writing score is 50% of total amount points, listening and speaking - 25% each.

Grades and their corresponding scores:

Pass with Distinction: 160 - 170;
Pass with Merit: 153 - 159;
Pass: 140 - 152;
Level A2: 120 - 139.

"Pass with Distinction", "Pass with Merit" and "Pass" mean that the exam has been passed and the desired level has been confirmed. It is important to note that the "Pass with Distinction" score is a confirmation of the next level B2 (FCE exam), and the "Level A2" score is the confirmation of the previous level (KET exam). If the candidate does not score enough points to level A2, then the exam is considered not passed, and the certificate is not issued.

FCE - First Certificate

This is not just one of the list of Cambridge exams, but the first Cambridge certificate. The exam is designed and administered by the ESOL division of the University of Cambridge Examinations Council (UCLES). Just like the KET and PET exams, the FCE certificate is valid for a lifetime. But this is far from the last advantage of the exam.

Can take the FCE exam those who speaks English sufficiently to use it in everyday life, including at work and at school.

To successfully pass the exam, you need to have a large vocabulary, be able to conduct a conversation and use the necessary communication strategies in a variety of life situations. If you are fluent in everyday situations, read correspondence in English, make phone calls, use language skills in different areas activities, then you should try to pass this exam.

FCE Test equates to a level Upper Intermediate(or B2 according to the international scale CEFR). With the FCE certificate, you have the opportunity to study or work abroad. If you are a high school student, passing the FCE Test will give you maximum final grades in English for grades 10 and 11 - this will be confirmed by a letter from the Ministry of Education.

Exam lasts 5 hours and divided for 2 days. During the exam, the level of all your language skills is checked, so the test is divided into whole 5 parts(they are called "Papers"): reading (1 hour, 30 questions on 3 texts), writing (1 hour 20 minutes, write an essay, then an article or letter, email, review or report), language usage(45 minutes, grammar and vocabulary, insert words into the text), listening (40 minutes), speaking (15 minutes). Reading, writing and listening are tested in the same way as in other Cambridge exams. Proficiency level oral speech will be judged on how well you can lead the discussion.

All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

Those who successfully pass this exam receive a certificate from the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. This certificate is highly regarded by universities and companies in many countries. Everyone who has passed the test receives a document on the results of the exam, which indicates what level of language proficiency was demonstrated at each stage of the exam.

More than 270,000 people test FCE each year in over 100 countries. FCE is an important qualification indicator for anyone who wants to work or study abroad, or to achieve professionalism in a field where knowledge of the language is needed - this can be business, medicine, engineering and many other fields of activity. In addition, FCE can be an important step in preparing for higher level exams such as the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Why take the FCE? Many universities and other educational institutions consider FCE to be an indicator of English language proficiency at an intermediate level. Such educational institutions passing the FCE is one of the conditions for admission to them. Since during testing many life situations, the FCE certificate is important for any person who wants to work or study abroad or communicate with foreign partners. Companies all over the world recognize FCE. It means the ability to work with English-language documentation, to use English in the field of management, as well as in any field, such as tourism, where it is required to maintain contacts with English-speaking colleagues.

Knowledge of the language at the FCE level allows you to conduct business correspondence and telephone conversations, participate in trainings, read simple books and articles. The fields of application for the FCE certificate are many and varied.

CAE - Certificate in advanced English

The exam is necessary for those who have to work or study in an environment with high requirements for knowledge of the English language. Similar to FCE, test CAE consists of 5 parts. It can be taken in both written and electronic form.

Obtaining this certificate characterizes you as a fairly confident "user", and, based on the name, confirms the possession of the Advanced level ( C1). If you can easily read any literature, write competently and in different styles, communicate freely on any topic and understand fluent native speakers, then you should try it. Successfully passed CAE counts for admission to many universities, even such prestigious ones as Oxford, Cambridge and California Institute of Technology.

Each of the 5 parts is longer than FCE: Reading (1 hour 15 minutes), Writing (1 hour 30 minutes), Using English (1 hour), Listening (40 minutes) and Speaking English (15 minutes).

This exam is graded in the form of letters, each of which has its own range. The total score consists of the sum of the results of each part of the exam.

A: 80-100
B: 75-79
C: 60-74
CEFR Level B2: 45-49
fail: 0-44

The validity period of the certificate is unlimited.

CPE - Certificate of Proficiency in English

Also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English, the exam is a qualification that certifies that you have achieved an exceptionally high level of English proficiency. This is the last in the block of Cambridge exams, confirming English proficiency at the highest level - on a par with a native speaker (Proficiency, or C2). Is oldest from the Cambridge Language Examinations. It was first introduced in 1913.

An English language certificate gives you the opportunity work in any field, receive a first higher education, study postgraduate or master's programs in any English speaking country, because it is accepted by more than 20,000 commercial and government institutions and organizations around the world.

Like all Cambridge certificates, CPE does not expire. It is accepted by most European universities and other educational institutions abroad. In many English-speaking countries, with this certificate, you will not need to take qualification tests for employment or higher education.

CPE is also considered one of the key tests for teachers, it significantly increases the competitiveness of the teacher, as domestic market as well as abroad.

Consists of 5 parts - Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening, Speaking.

The specificity of the assessment is such that even if one of the blocks was passed badly, then you have every chance of getting a CAE certificate.

BEC-Business English Certificate

The University of Cambridge exam designed to certify proficiency business English.

BEC tests a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a business environment, but does not require any specialized knowledge.

BEC is for students who need specialized knowledge
English to pursue a business career internationally
level. The exam tests four aspects of language knowledge: listening, reading, speaking and writing. This test uses exercises based on everyday business life to test the candidate's ability to use various linguistic functions and structures in a business context.

There are 3 options for the BEC exam:

• B.E.C. Preliminary(Designed for candidates who speak business vocabulary
  English at the level intermediate);
• BEC Vantage(designed for students who know business English at the level Upper Intermediate);
• B.E.C Higher(intended for candidates who have completed a business English course at the level Advanced).

B.E.C. Preliminary. Upon successful completion of the exam, certificates are issued at three levels: passed (Pass), passed with honors (Pass with Merit) and passed with special distinction (Pass with Distinction), depending on the overall assessment of the test results. All candidates also receive a report on the results of the exam, which includes the score for each part of the exam in accordance with the Cambridge Language Scale, the overall result of the Cambridge Language Scale, the overall score for the entire exam and the score on the Council of Europe Scale.

BEC Vantage. Upon successful completion of the exam, English language certificates of three levels are issued: A, B and C - depending on the overall assessment of the test results. Candidates who score between 140 and 159 points are awarded a level certificate. B1

B.E.C Higher. Upon successful completion of the exam, English language certificates of three levels are issued: A, B and C - depending on the overall assessment of the test results. Candidates who score between 160 and 179 points are awarded a level certificate. B2. All candidates receive a report on the results of the exam, which includes the score for each part of the exam in accordance with the Cambridge Language Scale, the overall result of the Cambridge Language Proficiency Scale, the overall score for the entire exam and the score on the Council of Europe Scale.

YLE - Young Learners English Tests

This is the only English proficiency test in the world that is designed for children aged 7 to 12. The exam consists of 3 levels: "Starters", "Movers" and "Flyers", the last of which roughly corresponds to the complexity of the KET exam.

• YLE Starters- for children whose knowledge in English corresponds to the Beginner level;
• YLE Movers- for those who have already reached the Elementary level;
• YLE Flyers- for those who can already enter into dialogues in English and have a vocabulary at the Pre-Intermediate level.

Examiners in a playful and relaxed way check the knowledge of the main types of language activities, which motivates the child to further study and helps to understand that exams are not scary.

Despite the innate human fear of various exams, tests and tests, this series was created in order to show children how easy it is to pass exams. If you think your child has had enough stressful situations at school, do not worry about this exam: absolutely all children receive an English language certificate. No matter how many points your child scores, he will still become the proud owner of the first Cambridge certificate in his life.

How is the exam? YLE is taken in 2 stages and consists of a written procedure (reading, listening, writing) and an interview with an examiner. The exam is adapted to the peculiarities of child psychology, passing the exam forms only a positive perception of the test as a tool for testing knowledge. Thanks to this exam, the child gets acquainted with the format of international tests at an early age. A comfortable environment for the exam is provided by the YLE format itself.

What gives a certificate? If you are wondering if it is possible with an exam certificate to enter one of foreign schools, the answer is unequivocal - no. The exam is for other purposes. Among them:

• the child receives the first international document;
• early acquaintance with international requirements when passing exams;
• positive assessment of one's own knowledge;
• increasing the child's motivation in the field of learning English; checking knowledge by experts from a world-famous university.

How to prepare for the international exam

In fact, there are many preparation methods and you can choose the one that will be most convenient for you. We recommend taking a free online test to find out which exam suits you best.

EnglishDom is a great option, because with us you can not only improve weak spots without leaving home, but also to do it as efficiently as possible. With the help of our teachers, you will be able to ask questions about the moments that bother you in English and consolidate the material that you left unlearned before.

Don't overlook webinars and online courses. They are designed so
so that you can easily learn on your own.

You can also hire a tutor. You will come to his office or home and study individually with him on topics in which you are weakest. This is convenient for the simple reason that there are different types of English exams and it is worth choosing a preparation method based on this. If this is a children's training, then you can freely prepare yourself.

Conclusion

Pick what you will! If you search for any of the names of international exams, you can download a lot of materials for self-study: specialized textbooks, trial tasks and just helpful tips. However, Skype lessons at our EnglishDom school with a qualified teacher will greatly increase the effectiveness of your preparation. Have no doubts!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

How can you determine the level of knowledge of the English language today? What test to pass to get an international certificate? We often ask ourselves these kinds of questions when we think about our level of English proficiency or want to get a certificate confirming our knowledge.

There are many ways to test your knowledge. You can find a lot of tests on the Internet, but most often they do not reflect the level of conversational skills or the ability to pronounce English correctly. To obtain a reliable result, you can seek help from a linguistic center. Trial testing there is often free. But if you want to get complete information about language proficiency or you have a goal to study, work or live abroad, then it will be necessary to determine and confirm the level of your knowledge. For this, there are international tests, after passing which, you can get an unlimited or temporary certificate.

In this article, we will look at the main international testing recognized by educational institutions in Europe, America, Australia, Canada, Latin America, New Zealand, and other educational institutions.

1. International exams of the Cambridge group

The undisputed leader who conducts various exams for students of all ages, teachers, businessmen, lawyers, financiers, accountants - UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examination System). Tests developed by UCLES are popular all over the world as they have a number of advantages. They are recognized in most British universities, in the universities of Canada, Austria, France. UCLES certificates are perpetual, which means you don't need to renew your qualifications on a regular basis.

1.1. Cambridge ESOL International Exams

The main examinations conducted by the department of the University of Cambridge in England - Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) include 5 levels:

• KET (Key English Test) assumes basic knowledge of English. This is the Pre-Intermediate level. The exam consists of three parts: reading (Reading), writing (Writing), listening (Listening), speaking (Speaking).
• PET (Preliminary English Test) assumes knowledge of English at the basic level. This is the Intermediate level. Testing stages: reading (Reading), writing (Writing), listening (Listening), speaking (Speaking).
• FCE (First Certificate in English) is the most popular international exam of this group. Testing confirms English language proficiency at a functional level. Successful completion of the test gives you the opportunity to study on preparatory courses for admission to foreign universities, and also gives the opportunity to work abroad in the specialty, if the work is not related to regular communication with people.
  The exam consists of five parts (modules) - Reading, Writing, Listening, Use of English, Speaking.
• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)– a test for candidates with a high level of language proficiency. The test consists of five parts, like the FCE. Passing the CAE opens up the possibility of entering almost all educational universities and gives you the opportunity to get a highly qualified job in a prestigious company abroad. Companies such as IBM, British Airways, Johnson & Johnson and others recognize Cambridge Group certifications as valid when hiring.
• Test of the highest degree CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) recommended for English teachers and translators. Successful completion of the test is a confirmation of language proficiency at the native level. The duration of the exam is 6 hours.

The scoring scale for Cambridge exams is as follows: A - excellent, B - good, C - satisfactory, D and E - failing points. But since the certificate indicates the overall score, it is difficult to understand what mistakes were made in the process of passing the exams, in written assignments or in oral ones.

1.2. International exams for professionals and children

There is a Cambridge exam in business English - BEC (Business English Certificate), Cambridge Teacher Examination TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test), exams for children from 7 to 12 years old (Cambridge Young Learners Exams), as well as professional exams that determine linguistic knowledge and do not assess the level of professionalism in a particular area: ILEC (International Legal English Certificate)– testing knowledge of English in the field of jurisprudence and ICFE (International Certificate in Financial English)– English knowledge test in the field of finance and accounting.

2. International IELTS exam

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)- an international exam in English, the purpose of which is to test the proficiency of the four basic English skills of foreigners. IELTS was created by the Australian educational organization IDP Education Australia with the support of the British Council. The certificate is accepted in universities of the countries belonging to the British Commonwealth (Great Britain, Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa) and in some educational institutions in the USA.

Passing IELTS is necessary if you plan to get higher education or find a job in English-speaking countries.
The validity of the IELTS certificate is 2 years, although many institutions set their own terms, for example, the Australian Department of Emigration, when issuing student visas, accepts IELTS certificates for a period of no more than six months.

There are 2 types of IELTS tests:

• Academic Module(Academic Module) - a test required for admission to a university.
• General Training Module(General Module) - a test designed for schoolchildren, and for everyone who wants to go to live abroad or get a job.

IELTS testing lasts 2 hours 45 minutes and consists of four modules - listening (Listening), reading (Reading), writing (Writing), speaking (Speaking). The main three modules of the test are often taken on the same day, and the last module (colloquial speech - Speaking) can be taken either in conjunction with the main three modules, or rescheduled for any day within seven days before or after the main test. The IELTS test is slightly easier than the Cambridge ESOL test as it lacks a Use of English section.

IELTS uses a 9-point grading scale. The advantage is that it is impossible to "fail" the exam, since in any case you will receive a certain number of points. The score is given for each module separately, and then the average score is calculated. For studying in foreign universities, most often, a grade of 6.0 to 7.0 is required.

3. International PTE exam

PTE (Pearson Test of English)– international English proficiency exams for foreigners. The test was developed by specialists from the international company Pearson Education, which is part of the Pearson Group. Publishers Longman, Edexcel, Penguin, Financial Times are part of the Person Group. PTE certificates are recognized in more than 100 countries around the world, and since 2009 by the UK Migration Service.

There are 3 types of exams:

• PTE General- general testing designed for people whose goal is to get a job or move to live abroad. PTE General includes 5 levels of testing and consists of two parts. The first part is listening (Listening), writing (Writing), reading (Reading), the second part is oral (Speaking).
• PTE Academic– academic testing provided for future students of foreign universities. PTE Academic includes speaking (Speaking), writing (Writing), reading (Reading), listening (Listening) and lasts 3 hours.
• PTE Young Learners- testing for children from 8 to 13 years.

The grading system in PTE General and PTE Academic is broken down by percentage. If you passed the test by 80-85%, you will receive an "excellent" grade, a "good" grade for those who completed 70-75% of the test items correctly, and "satisfactory" for 55-60% of the test items.

The advantage of international PTE exams is that they are not based on theory, but on the practice of the English language. After passing the test, you will receive a lifetime certificate. The duration of the passage is from one and a half to three hours. A big plus is that when preparing for the exam, specialized literature is not required, since the general level of language proficiency is checked.

4. American International Exams

4.1. International TOEFL exam

If you plan to enter a US university, get a job in an American firm, apply for a work visa at an American embassy, ​​or obtain US citizenship, then you need to pass TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

TOEFL was developed by specialists from the Princeton University of New Jersey, USA, and exists to test the knowledge of American English among foreigners. The TOEFL certificate is recognized by more than 2,400 colleges and universities in the US, Canada and several other countries. Having a TOEFL certificate is an advantage in many international organizations when applying for a job.

The exam consists of four parts - listening (Listening), checking grammatical structures and their use (Structure and Written Expression), reading (Reading) and writing (Test of Written English). The advantage of TOEFL is that it lasts no more than 3 hours and there is no speaking test in the test. The disadvantage of TOEFL is the validity of the certificate, it is valid for only 2 years, like the IELTS certificate. The passing score in universities for a paper test is 600 points, and for a computer one - 250 points.

4.2.International GMAT and GRE exam

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)- language testing required for admission to US business schools, for admission to the MBA program, for work. The validity of the certificate is 5 years.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)– language testing required for admission to postgraduate / master's programs at universities in the USA, Canada, Australia.

Preparation for international exams

So, you have familiarized yourself with the main international tests in English, and in order to successfully pass the test, you need to prepare well. As a tip for passing the test successfully, we recommend that you clearly study the structure of the exam, an approximate set of topics (if any), types of possible tasks, assessment criteria, as well as work out in detail each part of the exam you have chosen and buy the necessary literature to prepare for the test.
We sincerely hope that the information in this article will help you in preparing for the exams. We wish you the achievement of your goals and excellent test results.

International English language proficiency exams are held by specialized language centers in many countries, including Russia. The most popular exams in this category are described below.

Why is it needed

International English language tests are conducted for the following categories of persons:

• applicants who are going to study abroad;
• labor migrants (with official employment);
• employees of foreign companies whose branches operate in Russia;
• immigrants leaving for permanent residence in English-speaking countries.

The need to introduce certain generally accepted systems for testing English proficiency was caused by the following reasons:

1. In various organizations, companies, educational institutions, when recruiting foreigners, they were forced to conduct their own internal language exams, which took a lot of time, effort and money.
2. There were no uniform standards of language knowledge. This again led to problems when working with staff, selecting applicants, when foreigners applied to government agencies, embassies, etc.

The first standards for the English language were developed back in the 1970s. They were constantly improved, specialized assessment systems were created. In 1989, a European language organization, ALTE, was created, which was engaged in the development of examination standards, determining the levels of language skills. The University of Cambridge, national linguistic organizations, and the British Council joined the process. By 2001, a unified system for assessing the level of language proficiency - CEFR - was developed and began to be applied in the European Union.

By the end of the 2000s a certain number of generally accepted international examination programs in English have been formed. They needed to create a fairly large number in connection with different target groups of foreigners. For students, businessmen, employees of companies, teachers, scientific personnel, migrants, standards and language levels, types of assessment will be different. Although there are tests for the general level of language knowledge for all categories.

Today, a person can get an objective assessment of his level of knowledge of English. For example, an applicant knows the requirements put forward for applicants by a particular foreign university: say, TOEFL 120 points or CAE 180 points. And then, no matter where he comes from - from Russia, or, say, Indonesia - he can pass the unified international exam in English in any country and receive the corresponding certificate of a single sample. He presents this document upon admission to the university, without passing any additional language testing.

What are the exams

Today there are the following types of exams in English:

1. General English proficiency tests: IELTS, TOEFL, KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE;
2. English for specialists: BEC, ILEC, ICFE, GMAT, GRE, BULATS, LCCIEB;
3. Test tasks for children and adolescents: YLE, KET, PET, FCE;
4. English for teachers: TKT, CELTA, DELTA.

These types of tests have their own characteristics, requirements, certain types of tasks, different forms of testing, assessment levels, cost.

The most relevant for Russians are certificates that are required to enter foreign universities or get a prestigious job in international organizations and firms. These are IELTS, TOEFL, FCE, CAE, CPE.

General English

The IELTS English level exam is designed for those who want to study in the UK and Commonwealth countries (Academic module), and for those who plan to work in these countries (Main module). The test assesses oral and written speech, language skills in listening and reading. For evaluation, scores from 1 to 9 are used; the validity of the certificate is 2 years. In Moscow, the exam can be taken at the International Examination Center IELTS Students International, which is located at: st. Shchipok, 20, office 203. This is the only organization in Russia that specializes only in IELTS, implements high-quality preparatory programs for this test. The cost of IELTS is 16,000 rubles.

TOEFL is an English language test recognized in North America. The TOEFL certificate is required for international students in the US and Canada. This exam does not determine the degree of proficiency in spoken English, but only shows how much a foreigner understands the academic language of teaching used in educational institutions North America. When preparing, you need to take into account one nuance: TOEFL tests are based on the American dialect of the English language. Testing takes place on the official website toefl.org and is checked automatically. Typos and other random errors still count as grammatical errors. The time for passing the test is 4 hours. You can pass TOEFL in Moscow, for example, at the American Center for Education and Testing (Leninsky Prospekt, 2) - the company has been preparing applicants and conducting certification exams in Russia for many years. The official fee for taking the exam is $250.

ESOL is a practical English exam. It was developed by the PITMAN Institute, which focused on the ability to understand the essence of information, convey what was heard in abbreviated form (abstract), take notes, understand subtext, accents, and hidden meaning. The organization where you can take this exam is the Moscow Educational Center Meganom (Naprudny per., 8, entrance 1, 3rd floor).

Cambridge exams

The University of Cambridge has created and is now effectively implementing its system of exams in English for non-native speakers. Exams for a certificate in English of one kind or another are taken only once, such a certificate is valid for life.

KET and PET - tests to confirm the basic (KET) or intermediate (PET) level of oral communication or writing for domestic use. First of all, these tests are used as international English exams for children and teenagers. There are BKC-International House test centers in Moscow, which are official branches of the worldwide network of IHWO language centers, founded back in 1953. Moreover, they themselves prepare English texts for the exam. There are more than 30 BKC-IH schools in Moscow. The cost of passing the test is about 6000 rubles.

FCE is the most sought after exam program in Cambridge. It is considered that the holder of the certificate speaks the language at the Independent level according to the European Union classification. The FCE certificate is normally accepted in the business environment, industrial production, and educational institutions. The exam tests skills in the following areas: reading, writing, everyday conversation, auditory perception, conversation. The score is scoring, up to 40 points for each module. You can take the FCE at the Language Link Examination Center in Moscow (Novoslobodskaya st., 3, 5th floor). The company has been an international linguistic center since 1998, and in 2011 it received a Platinum Partner certificate from the University of Cambridge. The cost of FCE is about 9500 rubles.

CAE is an exam that assesses the level of general English. The CAE certificate confirms that its owner freely uses the language not only in everyday life, but also when receiving special, higher education and in work. The highest Cambridge degree is CPE. The holder of this certificate is considered to have reached a level that is inherent in an educated native speaker of English. Institute foreign languages in Moscow (Ladozhskaya str., 9/8) has been an examination center since 1997, where you can take tests for CAE and CPE certificates. By the way, in the English department of this institute, Cambridge exams are mandatory. Estimated cost of CAE and CPE: from 10,000 rubles. up to 12000 rub.

There are also English proficiency exams designed by Cambridge linguists for professionals in certain industries.

The BEC certificate confirms the skills of using the language in management activities, in entrepreneurship. At the same time, such types of language activities as reading, writing, listening and speaking are tested. There are 3 levels of BEC: Beginner, Advanced and Advanced. A person who has a BEC certificate can safely participate in business negotiations, correspond, speak at seminars, conferences, understand special articles, reports, instructions, etc.

ILEC is an exam for professionals working in the field of legal relations. Also, law students can take the test. Knowledge of legal terminology, English-language legal practice is important here. Another test from Cambridge - for professionals working in the field of economics, accounting, finance - ICFE.

BEC, ILEC, ICFE can be taken at authorized Cambridge examination centers in Moscow: the BKC-IH already mentioned above, the Institute of Foreign Languages.

BULATS is a test developed by Cambridge linguists to test employees of firms applying for vacancies. The test is designed to obtain objective information about the level of the applicant's English in various fields of economics, business, and management. BULATS is used by large corporations when recruiting administrative management, marketing, economics, PR, finance, and so on. The test is suitable for anyone who wishes to assess their business English skills and plans to use them in the future. According to the results of the test, applicants are assigned a score that correlates with the international systematization of levels - from elementary to advanced. Testing is carried out on a computer at the request of organizations and firms. In Moscow, such an exam can be passed, for example, in the ALIBRA SCHOOL network of foreign language schools, which has 8 branches in the capital. This network is the official examination department of the University of Cambridge. The cost of a full exam package is up to 5000 rubles.

Other Business English Certificates

The GMAT is a test for business school applicants. It checks the level of oral and written speech, the ability to analyze, critical thinking, includes general educational aspects. GMAT initially implies a high degree language knowledge. The applicant receives grades in areas and overall rating from 200 to 800 points. The test result is officially sent to business schools (no more than five), where the applicant plans to enter. The already mentioned American Center for Education and Testing operates in Moscow, where you can take the GMAT. In this case, you need to register on the official website mba.com. The cost of taking the test is $250.

Exams of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCIEB are several types of tests focused on various business areas: trade, business, industry, tourism, PR. The exam is held only in Britain, directly in the presence of examiners. The cost is up to 80 euros (depending on the direction).

Oxford exams

Oxford University has also developed its own internationally recognized examination system. Oxford English examinations are exclusively written. They have three levels: 1) preliminary, 2) high and 3) graduate. At the first level, in addition to advanced knowledge of the language, knowledge of geographical terms and titles, reading printed publications. High level involves an intensive English lesson for at least two years under the guidance of an experienced teacher. A diploma student is, in fact, a native speaker. In Moscow, Oxford exams can be taken at the "Examination and Methodological Council" RELOD "(Prospekt Leninsky, 4). Cost - up to 80 US dollars.

Thus, international English language proficiency exams are complex systems developed by different research centers for specific purposes. They are united by the fact that they are recognized all over the world and are necessary for labor migrants, students and applicants, entrepreneurs working in the field of international business, specialists from foreign companies, and so on.

It is important to emphasize that all the exams mentioned above assume a fairly high initial level of English language proficiency, far from school curriculum. Here's Why You Shouldn't Take Ads Seriously language courses promising to prepare, for example, for TOEFL in six months from scratch.