English Language Exams Opening doors Creating opportunities
The names that count
Choosing the right exam General English: – School tests: Cambridge KET / PET / FCE –
University entrance: Cambridge CAE, IELTS General, TOEFL
International Communication: – Workplace: TOEIC Academic English: – Further education: Cambridge CPE, IELTS Academic English for Specific Purposes: – Business: Cambridge BEC, BULATS –
Finance: Cambridge ICFE
–
Legal: Cambridge ILEC
Cambridge exams for schools
Cambridge English Starters sets your child off on their language learning adventure, introducing them to everyday written and spoken English in a fun and motivating way. Cambridge English Movers shows a child is beginning to deal with everyday written and spoken English at a very basic level. Cambridge English Flyers shows a child can deal with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level. Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Listening
5 parts/25 questions (20 min)
max. five shields
Reading/Writing 7 parts/50 questions (40 min)
max. five shields
Speaking
max. five shields
4 parts (7 – 9 min.)
The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test: - one shield means your child can improve a lot in that skill. - five shields mean that your child did very well in that skill. With a total of 10 or 11 shields and above, your child should be ready to start preparing for the next Cambridge English exam.
Cambridge English Key for Schools is a basic level qualification that shows you can use English to communicate in simple situations and have achieved a good foundation in learning English. Paper
Content
Reading/Writing 9 parts/56 questions (70 min.)
Marks (%) 50%
Understanding simple written information (signs, brochures, newspapers). Filling gaps in simple sentences and write a short message or note. Listening
5 parts/25 questions (30 min.)
25%
Understanding announcements when people speak reasonably slowly. Speaking
2 parts (10 min.)
25%
Ability to take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions.
Cambridge English Preliminary for Schools is a qualification that shows a pupil can deal with everyday written and spoken English at an intermediate level. Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Reading
5 parts/35 questions (45 min.)
25%
Writing
3 parts/7 questions
25%
(45 min.)
Ability to read texts from signs, journals, newspapers and magazines, to use vocabulary and structure by producing a short message, and writing a story or letter of around 100 words. Listening
4 parts/25 questions (30 min.)
25%
Understanding a range of recorded spoken material, including announcements, interviews and discussions about everyday life. Speaking
4 parts (10 – 12 min.)
25%
Taking part in a conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about their likes and dislikes.
Cambridge English First for Schools shows that a student is becoming skilled in English and can use it at upper-intermediate level for work or study purposes. Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Reading
3 parts/30 questions (60 min.)
20%
Understanding a range of texts (magazines, fiction, advertisments) including how they are organised and the opinions and attitudes expressed in them. Writing
2 parts (80 min.)
20%
A compulsory piece of text (letter or email) of between 120–150 words and a second piece of text (choosing from an article, essay, letter, report, review or short story) of between 120–180 words. Use of English
4 parts/42 questions (45 min.)
20%
Students’ use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary.
Cambridge English First for Schools shows that a student is becoming skilled in English and can use it at upper-intermediate level for work or study purposes. Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Listening
4 parts/30 questions (40 min.)
20%
Being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials such as news programmes, public announcements and other sources but targeted at the interests of school-aged learners. Speaking
4 parts (14 min.)
20%
A face-to-face test taken with one or two other candidates and an examiner. Students have to show how well they can produce spoken language, talking with either the examiner, the other candidate(s), or by themselves.
Cambridge exams for higher education
Cambridge English Advanced is a high-level qualification in English for demanding academic and professional situations. It offers you: a globally accepted English certificate – more than 3,000 universities, employers and government departments around the world accept CAE opportunities to study and live abroad – CAE is accepted for UK and Australian visa applications choice in how you take your exam – CAE can be taken either on a computer or on paper. With exam dates throughout the year, you can choose how and when you take your exam.
Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Reading
4 parts/34 questions (75 min.)
20%
Texts may be from newspapers and magazines, journals, books, promotional and informational materials (about 3,000 words to read in total). Writing
2 parts (90 min.)
20%
Task types: article, competition entry, contribution to a longer piece, essay, information sheet, letter, proposal, report, review. Use of English
5 parts/50 questions (60 min.)
20%
Grammar and Vocabulary: phrases, collocations, shades of meaning, phrasal verbs, linkers.
Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Listening
4 parts/30 questions (40 min.)
20%
Listening for feeling, attitude, opinion, purpose, function, agreement, course of action, gist, detail. Monologues, conversations between two or more interacting speakers, Speaking
4 parts (15 min.)
20%
Showing that you can communicate effectively, giving full and extended responses, speculating on the content of the visual stimuli even if you are unsure about what they are illustrating, involve your partner in the conversation and create opportunities for them to speak.
Cambridge English Proficiency is the most advanced exam, for learners who have achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language. Globally accepted - a proof of your ability to use English with fluency and sophistication at a level approaching that of a native speaker. Reliable - backed by the largest research programme of its kind, CPE exams provide the most reliable reflection of your language skills. Fair – CPE exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds. A Cambridge English qualification - once you have earned a CPE certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world.
Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Reading
4 parts/40 questions (90 min.)
20%
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and manuals. Writing
2 parts (120 min.)
20%
Requires you to be able to write a variety of items, such as essays, proposals, reports and reviews. Use of English
5 parts/44 questions (90 min.)
20%
Tests your ability to use the right words, tenses and idioms in the right situation, at the right time.
Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Listening
4 parts/28 questions (40 min.)
20%
Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as lectures, speeches and interviews. Speaking
3 parts (19 min.)
20%
Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment. Worldwide recognition for study, work and immigration - IELTS is recognised by more than 6,000 organisations worldwide. Widely available - the tests are available in more than 130 countries in over 800 locations, with test dates available up to four times a month. The IELTS test comes in two modules: Academic – this module is for people wishing to study in English at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration. General Training – this module is for people wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country and for those wishing to train or study in English.
The Listening and Speaking modules are the same for all candidates. The Reading and Writing modules are different, depending on the type of test (General or Academic)
Paper
Content
Time
Listening
4 section / 40 questions
~ 30 min.
Sections 1 and 2 deal with everyday, social situations. Sections 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations. Speaking
3 parts
11–14 min.
A face-to-face interview between the candidate and an examiner. There are four assessment criteria: - Fluency and coherence - Lexical resource - Grammatical range and accuracy - Pronunciation
Paper
Content
Time
General Reading
3 section / 40 questions
60 min.
Section 1: everyday topics that a person would need to be able to understand when living in an English-speaking country. Section 2: work topics (job descriptions, contracts, training materials). Section 3: general topics (newspapers, magazines, fictional and non-fictional book extracts), longer and more complex than the previous texts. General Writing
Task 1 / 150 words
20 min.
(writing a letter) Task 2 / 250 words
40 min.
(developing an argument in response to the task, giving evidence and examples)
Paper
Content
Time
Academic Reading
3 section / 40 questions
60 min.
Texts come from books, journals, magazines and newspapers and are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. They may be written in different styles (narrative, argumentative or descriptive). At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts use technical vocabulary, then a simple dictionary definition is provided. Academic Writing
Task 1 / 150 words
20 min.
(describing some visual information in your own words) Task 2 / 250 words
40 min.
(discussing a given a point of view, argument, problem)
The IELTS 9-band scale Band 9:
Expert user: fully operational command of the language.
Band 8:
Very good user: fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.
Band 7:
Good user: operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies; misunderstands in some situations.
Band 6:
Competent user: generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.
Band 5:
Modest user: partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes.
Band 4:
Limited user: basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Not able to use complex language.
Band 3:
Extremely limited user: understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
Band 2:
Intermittent user: no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words.
Cambridge exams for work
Cambridge English Business Certificates (BEC) are recognised by employers, ministries, government bodies and professional organisations throughout the world. This valuable suite of three qualifications provides clear proof that you have the English skills to: - communicate effectively at managerial and professional level - participate with confidence in workplace meetings and presentations - express yourself with a high level of fluency -react appropriately in different cultural and social situations. They can also be used to show universities and colleges that you can: - follow an academic business course at university level - carry out complex and challenging research.
Paper
Content
Reading
6 parts (60 min.)
Marks (%) 25%
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text. Writing
2 parts (70 min.)
25%
Requires you to be able to write a variety of different items such as memos, faxes, emails, reports and proposals. Listening
3 parts (40 min)
25%
Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials such as conversations, interviews and discussions. Speaking
3 parts (16 min)
25%
Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.
Cambridge English Financial (ICFE) is a high-level qualification that will help you demonstrate that you have the language skills for a successful career in international accountancy and finance. Preparing for ICFE gives you the skills to: - seek employment or promotion in a finance context, e.g. accountancy firms, government agencies and other organisations - study towards an accounting or finance qualification - improve your ability to conduct business internationally or with international clients and colleagues - improve your exam and classroom performance in finance and accountancy exams - prove your commitment to professional development.
Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Reading
6 parts / 54 questions (75 min.)
25%
The texts come from journals, books and accounting/finance articles. Writing
2 tasks (75 min.)
25%
Task 1: a letter of 120–180 words in response to a piece of correspondence. Task 2: a report of 200–250 words which you write for a client/department. Listening
4 parts / 30 questions (40 min)
25%
Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials such as conversations, interviews and discussions.
Paper
Content
Marks (%)
Speaking
4 parts (16 min)
25%
Part 1: an interview to your ability to respond to questions and expand on responses. Part 2: tests your ability to speak for one minute, without interruption, on a finance-related topic. Part 3: a collaborative task which you complete together with the other candidate. Part 4: tests your ability to engage in a discussion based on the Part 3 topic.
Cambridge English Legal (ILEC) is a high-level qualification that will help you demonstrate that you have the language skills for a successful career in international law. Preparing for ILEC gives you the skills: - to use English in practical situations - to participate in meetings and discussions of a legal nature - to express opinions clearly - to understand and to produce texts of various types, including legal correspondence and memoranda - prove your commitment to professional development.
Paper
Content
Reading
6 parts / 54 questions (75 min.)
Marks (%) 25%
Shows you can deal confidently with a wide variety of law-related texts. Writing
2 tasks (75 min.)
25%
Tasks: a letter of 120–180 words and a memorandum of 200–250. Listening
4 parts / 30 questions (40 min)
25%
Follow and understand a range of spoken materials (interviews, discussions). Speaking
4 parts (16 min.)
25%
Communicating effectively in face-to-face situations in a legal context.
BULATS is set of language benchmarking, training and assessment tools for measuring the language skills of the workforce, job applicants and students wishing to study business-related subjects. It provides an economical, flexible and easy-to-use approach to specifying and assessing language skills for business and industry. It is available in English, French, German and Spanish.
Listening Module: Overview - gives a brief outline of what the unit covers. Thinking ahead - asks questions to start you thinking about the topic. Skills 1 - interactive exercises to introduce you to the vocabulary and specific language you need to complete the Skills 2 and 3 sections. Skills 2 - interactive exercises to practise the grammar and functional language you need to complete the Skills 3 section. Skills 3 - interactive exercises to help you improve your listening skills for the BULATS questions section (numbers, dates, times, places, descriptions of charts and graphs, information to complete a form, people's opinions, information about jobs and people's future plans, prediction) BULATS questions - exam-style questions that test the skills you have just practised.
Reading and Language Knowledge Module: Overview - gives a brief outline of what the unit covers. Thinking ahead - asks questions to start you thinking about the topic. Vocabulary - contains meaning-focused exercises to help you familiarise yourself with the topic vocabulary needed to understand the texts. Short texts – seven extracts from a wide variety of work-related documents, and for each one you will select the statement that applies from a choice of three. Long text - read and answer six multiple-choice comprehension questions. Vocabulary - you will be required to choose the correct word(s) to fill the space(s) in a sentence or short text; you will either be asked to choose from four multiple-choice options, or to use your lexical and grammatical knowledge to think of the correct word(s) yourself.
Speaking Module (3 parts): Overview - gives a brief outline of what the unit covers. Questioning - you practise asking questions in order to obtain the information indicated on the Information exchange section of the card. Focusing - you complete exercises that introduce you to the language you need to successfully complete the Explaining and discussing sections. Explaining - you practise the functional language needed to complete the Information exchange section of the BULATS Speaking test role play. Discussing - you reflect on the topic and discuss related ideas and information using the hints provided. Model practice - you practise forming appropriate questions and responding to the examiner's questions using your own personal experience and info. Your Turn - you answer BULATS questions to practise the skills from the unit.
Writing Module - Part 1: Overview - gives a brief outline of what the unit covers. Task analysis - contains a BULATS task: four exercises which focus on reading the task and identifying the main information you need to write the response. Language focus - four exercises focusing on format, register, expressions, functions and other aspects of language; one exercise with a short error correction task. Reply - a series of exercises in which you are asked to reconstruct the task response analysed in Language focus.
Writing Module - Part 2: Overview - gives a brief outline of what the unit covers. Task analysis - two exercises in which you practise reading a task and identifying the main information needed to write your response; an exercise giving you guidance on how to find a topic relevant to the task response. Language focus - five exercises in which you practise identifying style features, important vocabulary and text structure, useful aspects for writing a task response. Task response - exercises to help you recreate a task response step by step. BULATS task - provides a new task, a notepad and a model answer; you practise responding to a BULATS task similar to the one in Part 1.The task provided is similar to the task and model you will have already studied in earlier sections of the unit.
A summary of Cambridge exams
Cambridge exams statistics (2010)
The TOEFL / TOEIC exams Governing Body: Educational Testing Service (USA) Exams: –
Test of English as a Foreign Language
–
Test of English for International Communication
The TOEFL exam: introduction
The TOEFL exam: format
The TOEFL exam: results
The TOEIC exam: introduction
The TOEIC exam: format
The TOEIC exam: format
The TOEIC exam: results
Common European Framework of Reference
Dan GROSU
[email protected]
