Thursday, October 20, 2011

IELTS


Who is it for?
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
More than 1.4 million people a year take the test.
What is the IELTS test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections:
  1. Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
  2. Speaking - interview, 15 minutes
  3. Reading - different for Academic or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
  4. Writing - different for Academic or General Training - pieces of writing, 60 minutes
This site also contains vocabulary tests, including practice tests for the academic wordlist, as well as grammar tests that are relevant to IELTS.
Level and scores
Multi-level. You get a score between 1 and 9. Half scores such as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.
Please click here to see an explanation of IELTS Band Scores. You can use the IELTS Band Score Calculator on this site to convert your reading and listening raw scores.
Click here to see our IELTS Exam Tips and IELTS articles.
Where do I take the test?
IELTS tests are administered at accredited Test Centres throughout the world - there are currently more than 500 Centres, in over 120 countries. Click here to find a test centre.
When can I take the test?
Arrange with your closest test centre. There are frequent dates, usually on Thursdays or Saturdays.
How much does it cost to take IELTS?
Fees are set by test centres and vary from country to country. Expect to pay around £115 GBP, €190 Euros or $200 USD.

What toeic is


The TOEIC exam

The Test of English for International Communication is produced by ETS (Educational Testing Service).
TOEIC test questions are based on real-life work settings in an international environment (meetings, travel, telephone conversations, etc).

Who is it for?
The Test is used by organisations to determine whether an employee is suitable for a particular task. If you work or want to work for a large organisation, particularily in Asia, then the TOEIC test will be useful to you.
What is the TOEIC test like?
There are two separate parts to the TOEIC test:
  1. The Listening and Reading test is a paper and pencil test that takes 2.5 hours and is taken at a test centre.
  2. The Speaking and Writing test is an online test that is taken in a test centre and takes 90 minutes. The Speaking and Writing test is a new test wich is only available in some countries.
What about scores?
The TOEIC Reading and Listening gives a score between 10 and 990:
  • 905 - 990 International Proficiency
  • 785 – 900 Working Proficiency Plus
  • 605 – 780 Limited Working Proficiency
  • 405 – 600 Elementary Proficiency Plus
  • 255 – 400 Elementary Proficiency
  • 185 – 250 Memorised Proficiency
  • 10 – 180 No Useful Proficiency
TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests are scored out of 200.
Click here to see a table comparing the different exams related to their CEF level.
How much does it cost to take TOEIC?
Fees are set by test centres. Expect to pay around $85 USD for each component (Listening and Reading / Speaking and Writing).

What toefl is


The TOEFL® exam
Test Of English as Foreign Language.
The essential exam for entry to universities in the United States. Academic language.
Who is it for?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. Most people who take the TOEFL test are planning to study at colleges and universities where instruction is in English. In addition, many government agencies, scholarship programs, and licensing/certification agencies use TOEFL scores to evaluate English proficiency.
Versions of the TOEFL® test
You can do the test on paper or on a computer, depending where you live.The test comes in two formats:
  1. paper-based test (PBT)
  2. next generation computer-based test (iBT)
The iBT is not yet available at every test center. If it is available at your local center then you will have to do it. If not you will do the PBT.
There is also an exam for younger students called TOEFL Junior.
Where do I take the test?
At a test center in your country. The test is organised by the Educational Testing Service. You can register for the TOEFL® iBT online.
Click here to register
How much does the TOEFL test cost to take?
Prices vary in each country, in the USA the test costs $150. In the UK the TOEFL ibt is $185 while the paper-based TOEFL is $150.