Which English exam?
Choosing the right English exam for you
It is important to choose the exam that suits you. The table below shows which English exam is best for those who wish to work, study or live in the UK.
| Exam | Level | Suitable for … |
|---|---|---|
| KET | Level 2 & Level 3 | This is the minimum requirement for those who need a visa for the UK. It shows that you have learnt basic English and can survive in an English-speaking environment. You can communicate in simple everyday situations and you are becoming more able to understand English in spoken and written forms. |
| PET | Level 4 & Level 5 | This exam shows that you have achieved an intermediate level in English. You can cope with most everyday situation and you can express complex ideas, although you might still make some mistakes. |
| FCE | Level 6 | This exam shows that you can use English in a variety of contexts and you appreciate some of the complexities of the language. This exam can be used for exam entrance. |
| CAE | Level 7 | This is an advanced level exam aimed at those who wish to use English in their chosen profession. You can now use a wide range of language in a variety of contexts. This English exam can be used for university entrance. |
| CPE | Level 8 | This is an upper-advanced level exam aimed at those who wish to continue their academic studies or improve their career prospects. You can now produce subtleties and complexities in English. You have close to native English speaker competence. This exam can be used for university entrance. |
| IELTS General | Levels 2-8 | The General Training format focuses on basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. It is for those who are going to English-speaking countries to do secondary education, work experience or training programs. People migrating to Australia, Canada and New Zealand must sit the General Training test. |
| IELTS Academic | Levels 2-8 | The Academic format is for those who want to study or train in an English-speaking university or Institutions of Higher and Further Education. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of the Academic test. |
| Trinity ESOL Grades | Levels 1-8 | These Trinity ESOL exams are on demand for groups of 20 or more and predominately focus on speaking. They allow even the most basic users of English to achieve a Certificate showing their progress. |
| BULATS | Levels 1-8 | BULATS is an economical, user-friendly English test and reporting system for companies and individuals that need a quick, reliable and cost effective way of assessing language skills. BULATS tests communication skills that are needed in real business situations. It enables you to test all four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. |