(Check the meaning of the highlighted C1-level words and phrases in the glossary at the bottom of the post!)
Decisions, decisions!
You’ve been working hard, your level of English is improving, and now you want to prove your skills to the world.
Maybe you want to study abroad, and need to demonstrate you have the right level.
Or, you need a certificate to impress potential employers and secure your dream job.
Perhaps passing an exam is simply a personal challenge for you.
Whatever your motivations, a quick online search will show that there’s a plethora of English exams to choose from. IELTS or B2 First? TOEFL or TOEIC? It can be a confusing decision.
There’s no need to worry – Last Minute English is here to help!
Some questions
At Last Minute English, we’ve worked with thousands of students. We know that they generally have lots of questions when they’re planning to take an official English exam. Some of the most common are:
- Which are the most popular English exams?
- Who are the different exams intended for?
- What is the format of each one?
- How can I prepare for my chosen exam?
Based on our experience and expertise, we have created this guide. You’ll learn about exam selection, structure, strategy, and more. So, without further ado, read on to find out which is the right English exam for you…
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Who should take it?
Imagine studying in an English-speaking country. You could gain a first-class education, explore an exciting new culture, and make international friends.
Sounds fantastic, right?! This exam may well be just what you need to make this dream come true.
The IELTS is especially popular with students who are looking to take a course at a university in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK. The immigration services of all those countries accept it for student visa applications.
3,000 US universities also accept IELTS, but – as we’ll see later – the TOEFL is more popular there.
The IELTS can also be taken by those who want to obtain visas for these countries for other reasons. For example, students who plan to do non-academic work or training, or people joining family members abroad.
In many ways, the IELTS is the go-to English exam. This means that it’s suitable for many different students in many different situations.
Format
There are two different IELTS types to choose from:
- IELTS Academic: for students who want to take courses at universities abroad
- IELTS General Training: for others
The structure of both types is identical. They include Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections. Whichever version you take, the Listening and Speaking tests will be the same. The other sections change depending on the module.
For instance, the IELTS Academic writing exam will test your ability to produce the sort of text you’d be asked to produce on an English-speaking university course.
If you’re applying for a UK visa, you might have heard of ‘IELTS for UKVI’. This refers to a version of the test taken at a centre approved by the UK Home Office.
As well as Academic and General Training, UKVI candidates can also take several other types of IELTS which test their readiness for life in the UK. You can read more about these here.
Whichever version you choose, you won’t pass or fail your IELTS exam. Instead, you’ll be given a score which reflects your level of English.
For instance, a strong C1 candidate would expect to achieve 8.0. Sometimes, institutions will just ask for this overall band score.
On other occasions, they may require a minimum score in each of the four papers. This information will be available on the organisation’s admissions page.
How to prepare
Over 50,000 Last Minute English students have achieved success in IELTS, so we know a thing or two about how to prepare! Here are our top tips:
Take a quality course
This will ensure that you understand what’s expected in the exam, and are able to work on the key language that’s tested at your level.
Good schools will have a variety of courses, from a complete overview to more specific units designed to focus on one particular skill. Be sure to read testimonials from previous students – this will help you to decide if the course is right for you. For instance, a recent Last Minute English graduate told us:
Took this course for one month to prepare for my IELTS exam and got a score of 7.5. Great course and great instructor. Enjoyed it thoroughly.Melvin R
Last Minute English student on Udemy.com
Identify and focus on any areas of weakness
One way to do this is by taking a mock exam or practice test. These can be found on the IELTS website, and will give you an accurate idea of your current level. Based on these results, you can decide which areas you need to work on.
Lacking vocabulary? Check out blog posts like this one, and consider taking a specialised course. Difficulties with formal language? Practice makes perfect! Read academic texts in English as much as possible, and keep working on your exam skills.
Once you know the areas you need to focus on, it’s only a matter of time until you’re ready for success!
C1 Advanced (and other Cambridge exams)
Who should take it?
This is another exam that’s popular with those who want to study abroad. Unlike IELTS, though, it’s especially well-recognised in countries where English isn’t the native language.
Almost all European universities accept it, and in some countries – like Spain – students have to pass this exam before they can graduate.
The Cambridge exams are also useful in certain parts of the anglosphere. In their native UK, for example, almost all academic institutions will accept them.
You can also use C1 Advanced to apply for an Australian visa, though most other countries specify a different exam (such as IELTS) for this purpose.
Format
Unlike IELTS, Cambridge Exam candidates select a different exam depending on the level of English they need to demonstrate. It’s important to make the right choice – if you fail C1 Advanced, for instance, you won’t automatically be awarded B2 First. You can read a full guide here, but these are the most popular:
- B2 First
- C1 Advanced
- C2 Proficiency
Although there are some small differences in structure, the format is very similar for all three. There are four papers – Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
The pass mark is 60%, and you do not need to pass all sections of the exam. It’s not typical for universities or employers to specify what grade you should get on individual papers; the test is Pass or Fail.
The Cambridge exams don’t have separate Academic and General Training versions, so you will encounter a wide variety of language. The Listening paper, for example, could include informal conversations, lectures, presentations, voicemail messages and others.
How to prepare
Because the Cambridge Exams test your General English, you need to be ready for anything! Here’s what we’d recommend:
Use practice tests
Practice makes perfect, as they say! By taking tests which replicate the structure and content of the real Cambridge English Exams, you’ll quickly learn what’s expected.
First, it will help you to develop strategies for answering the questions accurately and efficiently. Next, your results will allow you to identify any weaker areas that you want to keep working on.
There are many free Cambridge English Exam practice websites across the web, but some of our favourites are Englishaula and FloJoe.
Remember you don’t need to take a whole three-hour test when you’re practising! One Use of English task, for example, can take only 7 or 8 minutes. This makes it easier to fit your studies into a busy schedule.
Work on your grammar and vocabulary
No matter the exam question, you’ll always perform at your best if your grammar and vocabulary skills are up to scratch.
One way to work on these is to take a flexible online course. This lets you select the content which is most relevant to you, and gives you opportunities to learn at your own pace.
For example, you could consider Advanced English Grammar – The Complete Guide. Some students take the whole course, while others use their practice test scores to identify and prioritise the language points they need to work on. From participles to punctuation, tenses to tag questions: we’ve got you covered!
Other popular English exams
The IELTS and Cambridge English exams are probably the most versatile and popular internationally. As we’ve seen, they can help you study abroad, obtain visas, gain employment and much more. However, there are other popular exams which might suit you. Here’s a quick guide to our favourites:
TOEFL: This English exam is often taken by students who want to study at US or Canadian universities. Its structure is similar to the IELTS Academic module. Torn between the two? Check with your academic institution which one(s) they accept, and consider how accessible each exam is in your country or region.
Duolingo English Test: One of the first online-only English exams, this test is also one of the most affordable. It’s relatively new, but growing in popularity. Already accepted by some of the world’s most prestigious universities, Duolingo is definitely one to watch! Students moving to Ireland, take note! This is the first country to accept Duolingo for visa applications.
TOEIC: This exam tests your skills in Business English specifically. It is especially popular in parts of Asia.
OPI: Unlike the other tests we’ve discussed, OPI focuses on speaking skills. It’s sometimes required for contexts where oral fluency is particularly important.
TL;DR – Which is right for me?
In a hurry? Here’s our quick guide to the best English exam for you…
- …to study in Australia, Canada, or New Zealand: IELTS
- …to study in the UK or Europe: Cambridge C1 Advanced
- …to study in the USA or Canada: TOEFL
- …for non-academic visa applications: IELTS
- …if you’re on a budget: Duolingo
- …for Business English: TOEIC
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it: our guide to the best English exams out there! With a little research, you’re sure to find the one that’s right for you. As we’ve seen, the key is to consider your level, objective, and target country. Now, hit the books – best of luck with your next exam!
To find out more about how Last Minute English can help you achieve success in IELTS, visit our website.
If you’d like to talk to someone about the best course for you, click here.
For our full range of courses, visit us on Udemy.
Glossary
- Plethora (n.) – a very large selection
- Without further ado (adv.) – start something now, not wasting time
- Go-to (adj.) – popular and reliable
- “It’s only a matter of time” – it will definitely happen in the future
- Anglosphere (n.) – English-speaking countries
- One to watch (n.) – a possible new trend
- Hit the books (v.) – begin studying hard
- TL;DR – ‘too long; didn’t read’ (used to provide a short summary of a longer text)
