When entering foreign universities, students for whom English is not their native language need to confirm their language competence, for which there are a number of tests and certificates. Regardless of which exam a student chooses to take, the requirements of universities for the level of linguistic training remain high.

International English language tests evaluate:

• reading;
• listening comprehension;
• letter;
• colloquial speech.

What English language tests do students take upon admission

The most common exams for admission to foreign universities are IELTS and TOEFL. The third most popular "student" language certificate accepted by a large number of universities in the UK is Cambridge ESOL.

IELTS English test

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - developed in the UK, administered by organizations: British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL). Required for admission to universities in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, USA. This test is usually chosen by those who have studied British English. When passing IELTS, the candidate, depending on their future goals, must choose one of two modules - general (for living and working abroad) or academic (for students).

TOEFL English test

TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) - developed in the USA, administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Required for admission to universities in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia. This exam is generally preferred by candidates who have studied American English. There are two versions of the exam. The first is TOEFL ITP, which is often referred to as Computer-based Test or TOEFL CBT. In most cases, universities require that this exam be supplemented with TWE (Test Of Written English) results. The second is the Internet-based Test or TOEFL iBT. Registration of candidates - on the official website of the exam, passing the test - in an accredited center.

Cambridge ESOL English Test

Cambridge ESOL (English For Speakers of Other Languages) - developed in the UK, administered by experts from the University of Cambridge. Required for admission to several top universities in the UK. Exams are designed for five levels of difficulty - from Pre-Intermediate to the level of an educated native speaker.

GMAT English Test

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a general education test required for admission to MBA programs. It aims to identify mathematical, verbal and analytical skills that are important for learning in a business school. Owner - Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC); administered by Pearson VUE. Registration of candidates - on the official website of the exam, passing - in an accredited center.

Special Tests

Admission to some programs and specialties may require passing a test that reveals the presence of such a mindset and personal qualities that will contribute to success in mastering and subsequent activity in the chosen subject area. The main special tests for applicants for the first higher education include.

There are more than 20 international exams in the world that test knowledge of the English language. Have you decided to get an objective assessment of your knowledge, but do not know which English exam is better to pass? Among the variety of exams, we will help you choose the one that suits your goals.

The day has come when you seriously think about passing an international exam. There are several main reasons why you might need a certificate:

• want to get a new prestigious job;
• Do you dream of moving up the career ladder?
• firmly decided to go abroad for permanent residence;
• intend to go to university abroad;
• a certificate is needed to get an objective assessment of your knowledge of the English language.

Over 15,000 universities, companies and government agencies around the world recognize international exam certificates. In employment, having an international certificate in English is a significant competitive advantage that will help you get a position in one of the large companies: Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM, Sony, Bosch, DHL, Credit Suisse, Motorola, Siemens AG, American Express, Procter & Gamble etc.

Testing checks the knowledge of the examinees in the following skills:

• Reading - Reading.
• Listening - Listening.
• Writing - Letter.
• Speaking - Speaking.

In addition, the exams test how well the candidate has mastered such aspects of the language as grammar (Grammar), vocabulary (Vocabulary) and pronunciation (Pronunciation).

In recent years, the structure of many exams has changed. Some of them have changed their name, but they are still searched on the Internet under their old names and abbreviations. We decided to collect the old and current exam names in a table.

Everyone dreaming of a certificate asks the question: “Which English exam should I take?” And here the choice is very large (the sky is the limit)! So that you do not get confused, we have compiled an author's infographic of all international English exams (click on the image to enlarge it).

Choose an exam depending on your goals and help .

Exams for studying abroad

How many tempting prospects are opened up for us by studying abroad! Have you already chosen where to apply for a master's degree? It remains only to pass the exam. European countries and the UK most often require a certificate from the University of Cambridge in the list of documents upon admission. If you are applying to a US or Canadian university, then most likely you will have to present an American exam certificate. You can read more about choosing an exam in our article ""

In many ways, these exams are similar. They validate your current level of knowledge and do not require any passing score. The question is, will a certificate that specifies the Pre-Intermediate level suit you? Most likely not, because universities require Upper-Intermediate and above. TOEFL and IELTS certificates are considered valid for two years after passing. And this is logical. First, the level of knowledge of the language changes. Secondly, such a certificate helps to solve the problem here and now: go to university, get a job, etc.

There are two types of IELTS exam: General and Academic. To study, you will need Academic. It is more difficult than General: the tasks in the writing and reading sections are based on complex texts with thematic vocabulary and advanced grammar. And General will come in handy for any purpose other than education (immigration, work).

Exams for emigration and self-development

Have you been studying English for a long time and would like to prove that you have a decent level of knowledge? Then choose an exam among , .

The main advantage is that the certificates of these exams are considered valid for life. Just not everyone gets it. Unfortunately, if the examinee fails to score a passing score, then he will be given a certificate at a lower level. It's simple: if you passed the CAE and did not score the required minimum points, you will receive a document with the Upper-Intermediate level. Strict but fair.

Exams for work

Have you been offered an interesting job in an international company? Great news! One thing: you need a certificate that will confirm your high level of English proficiency. What is the best English exam to take for work? Choose: TOEIC, IELTS (General), B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE).

Business English exams

If you need to confirm your knowledge of business English vocabulary, pay attention to: B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary) corresponds to the Intermediate level, B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) - Upper-Intermediate, C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher) - Advanced. Want to impress potential employers when applying for a job? Choose BEC. Are you going to study business disciplines in a foreign language? Also BEC. Do you plan to conduct seminars and trainings on business topics yourself? BEC again.

Business English exams comprehensively test students' skills. The BEC series is distinguished by stingy vocabulary, advanced grammar, long texts and audio recordings, graphics and presentations, topics from the fields of marketing and management.

English teacher exams

Recently, English teachers are increasingly thinking about certificates confirming their qualifications - this is a strong competitive advantage in the labor market. They will fit TKT, CELTA or DELTA.

The TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) certificate confirms that its holder has mastered the methodology and theory of teaching a foreign language. The exam consists of three theoretical modules, each of which can be taken separately.

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are needed to show that the teacher is able to apply his knowledge in practice. The CELTA exam is chosen by novice teachers, while the DELTA exam is chosen by more experienced teachers.

Exams for children

The youngest English lovers need to start somewhere. What is the best English test for a child? The University of Cambridge offers three exams for children aged 7-12: Pre A1 Starters (YLE Starters) , A1 Movers (YLE Movers) , A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers) . These are the simplest exams, but they are very important for the child.

A great start for a high school student is the A2 Key for Schools (KET for Schools) exam. Key, like other exams, tests knowledge in four skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing. The exam is quite easy, but your child will be very pleased with himself, because not many peers can boast such a confident start in English!

Upon successful completion of the B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET for Schools) exam, the child will receive an Intermediate level certificate, and B2 First for Schools (FCE for Schools) - Upper-Intermediate.

In conclusion, I would like to say that for every taste and color there will definitely be an exam. We hope that after reading our article you will know exactly which English test is better to take. Whatever you choose, the main thing is to reach the end, get the coveted international certificate and prove to yourself that you speak English at a decent level.

You can study English for as long as you like: a month, six months, a year, or devote a significant part of your life to this. However, the result of your perseverance will not entirely depend on this factor. You can learn English for two years, and still know very little. How diligently you go through this process will determine your level of English proficiency in the final or intermediate result. To the question "Do you know English?" A simple “Yes” or “No” answer is not enough. Information about the level of your knowledge will sound more serious and meaningful. Knowing what you are capable of in English at the moment will help you realize your plans for the future. If you want to continue studying it, you will have to go through English language testing. Based on the results, you will be able to choose the course that suits you. When applying to a university for some specialties, you will also need to pass an English language test. And its results can have a significant impact on your future studies. If you are going to get a job where English is welcome or required, you also need testing. In this case, you will be able to present your future boss with an objective assessment of your knowledge. Our courses will help you prepare for testing of any complexity.

What is an English language test?

The word testing itself comes from English test denoting a test or test. In this case, we consider the English language test as a test in which you test the level of your knowledge in this area. English testing can cover any section of the language:

• () and dictionary combinations
• tests for knowledge of set phrases (phraseological units, idioms)
• English speech comprehension tests ()
• spelling tests and more

As we can see, you can test anything in English (any field of knowledge). The most common are the first two items. There is a separate article on our blog.

Testing in English can be written and oral. To test knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, a written version is used. Everything related to spoken language and its listening comprehension refers to oral testing in English (as a rule, this is a conversation or listening).

We conduct English language testing ourselves

If you have a specific goal for which you need to determine your level of English, or you are just curious to test yourself and your knowledge, use a computer and the World Wide Web. At the moment, the Internet is simply replete with sites where you can take online testing in English. Firstly, almost any site dedicated to learning English has tests to determine the level of your knowledge. Our website is no exception. Below is a list of leveling tests, in order from easy to hard.

1. A comprehensive test to determine the level of English knowledge on the website of our school