Welcome to our brand new BLOG.
Because Edinburgh Language Academy is a computerised test centre, I thought it might be useful to offer advice on which level tests are best for you. With the many different level tests available in the EFL marketplace that may be required by UKBA, UK and USA Universities or UK employers, it can be confusing to decide which one to take.
Below is a brief summary of the different English exams you can take that are recognised by most government agencies and academic institutions in English speaking countries as an indication of your English level and ability. Please click on the links to find more information.
We offer four of the exams in our own exam centre, which is actually right here in our school. Students who prepare with us don’t even need to leave the school to take the exams.
If you have ever studied the Cambridge Suite of Exams in your own country, this path may be open to you. If you were to sit the CAE exam and gain a pass at A or B, then you would never have to take any English level test again to prove that you have A’level standard English. Once you achieve a grade in a Cambridge exam it has no expiry date. It should be noted though, that Cambridge exams are a qualification and a certain amount of preparation is required in order to cover the content of these exams. You are expected not just to be able to communicate in English but also analyse the language itself.
If you need proof of your English Level then you can either take:
The TOEFL Test or The Pearson PTE which is a computer based level test. Both of these tests are taken on the computer and you do not meet an examiner. The formats of these two exams are very different and its advisable (though totally optional) to take a short preparation course before either of them. The results of these exams are valid for two years. You can apply to sit both of these exams here. The main advantage of these exams is that you will receive the results within 5 days of sitting the exam in our test centre.
The IELTS exam is currently a written paper. This exam does require a certain amount of specialist preparation. There is a certain advantage to taking the IELTS exam if you have problems with pronunciation or you have problems with speaking in your own language as like The Cambridge exam you will meet a real examiner for the speaking part of the exam.The result of this exam is valid for two years. The results for these exams are normally received within 10 working days. because our local IELTS test centre is 10 minutes walk from our school, we have a rolling course for academic IELTS preparation which can be joined on any Monday.
So which exam you choose is really up to you. Please feel free to ask me any questions.