Cambridge ESOL Exams
Around the world, thousands of educational organisations, government agencies and immigration authorities recognise Cambridge ESOL exams as a proof of various levels of language ability.
We offer a number of Cambridge ESOL exams for non-native speakers. The exams take place three or four times a year depending on level. For dates and prices of the different exams, see the exams timetable page.
Three or four times a year, you can take one or more of the following exams:
- PET - Preliminary English Test, an intermediate test
- FCE - First Certificate in English, an upper-intermediate test
- CAE - Certificate of Advanced English, an advanced-level test
- CPE - Certificate of Proficiency in English, a very advanced test
- BULATS - Business language testing service
PET
This is the Cambridge ESOL intermediate exam. It tests your ability to use English for everyday spoken and written communication. For more information, see the PET page on the Cambridge ESOL website.
Details of the various papers are as follows:
Preliminary English test - Exam papers
| Paper title | Length | Percentage of final mark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reading and writing | 90 minutes | 50% |
| 2. | Listening | 30 minutes +12 minutes to transfer answers | 25% |
| 3. | Speaking | 10 - 12 minutes | 25% |
FCE
This is the Cambridge ESOL upper intermediate exam. It tests your ability to communicate with confidence in English in a range of everyday situations. For more information, see the FCE page on the Cambridge ESOL website.
Details of the various papers are as follows:
First certificate in English - Exam papers
| PaperTtitle | Length | Percentage of final mark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reading | 60 minutes | 20% |
| 2. | Writing | 80 minutes | 20% |
| 3. | Use of English | 45 minutes | 20% |
| 4. | Listening | 40 minutes | 20% |
| 5. | Speaking | 14 minutes | 20% |
CAE
This is the Cambridge ESOL advanced level exam. If you need to use English in your work or studies, this is the right exam for you. For more information, see the CAE page on the Cambridge ESOL website.
Details of the various papers are as follows:
Certificate in advanced English - Exam papers
| PaperTtitle | Length | Percentage of final mark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reading | 75 minutes | 20% |
| 2. | Writing | 90 minutes | 20% |
| 3. | English in use | 60 minutes | 20% |
| 4. | Listening | 45 minutes | 20% |
| 5. | Speaking | 15 minutes | 20% |
CPE
This is a very high level exam offered by Cambridge ESOL. It is for those who have high-level skills and are able to deal with any English-language situation that they might meet. For more information, see the CPE page on the Cambridge ESOL website.
Details of the various papers are as follows:
Certificate of proficiency in English - Exam papers
| PaperTtitle | Length | Percentage of final mark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reading | 90 minutes | 20% |
| 2. | Writing | 120 minutes | 20% |
| 3. | Use of English | 90 minutes | 20% |
| 4. | Listening | 40 minutes | 20% |
| 5. | Speaking | 19 minutes | 20% |
BULATS
BULATS provides a range of tests to meet different needs:
- The Computer Test - Online Version - a fast, accurate test of listening & reading skills online
- The Computer Test - CD-Rom Version - a fast, accurate test of listening & reading skills via a CD
- The Standard Test - a paper-based alternative to the computer test
- The Speaking Test - face-to-face evaluation of speaking skills
- The Writing Test - thorough evaluation of writing skills in a business context
Each of these tests is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Each test can be used independently of the others, or they can be used in various combinations. This principle of flexibility allows BULATS to customise the service for different situations.
All the tests aim to be relevant to people using the language at work. They cover areas such as descriptions of jobs, companies and products, travel, management and marketing, customer service, planning, reports, phone messages, business correspondence and presentations. The tasks in the test are generally practical ones, e.g. taking a phone message, checking a letter, giving a presentation, understanding an article, writing a report.
Results
Once you have completed the test, we will hand you a Test Report Form which includes your name, the name of your company/organisation (if required), the test date and the results. All the tests assess candidates across the six levels of the ALTE Framework, i.e. the same test is used for all candidates whatever their level. (0-5 of the ALTE Framework correspond to the Council of Europe Framework levels A1-C2.)
The BULATS Test Report Form for Computer-based online, CD-ROM and paper-based tests are all identical and of the same value.
FAQ's on the BULATS test
Q: When can the test be taken?
BULATS is an on demand exam so it can be taken at any time.
Q: Where can it be taken?
International House Bristol is an accredited Cambridge exam centre for BULATS.
Q: How is the BULATS exam taken?
At International House Bristol you can take an online test that is taken at a computer.
Q: How much does the BULATS test cost?
The test costs around £25 per student and can be re-taken (at extra cost) as many times as the client requires.
For more information about BULATS and how to register for an exam please contact us at exams@ihbristol.com.
Additional information about BULATS can be found on the BULATS page on the Cambridge ESOL website.