A Complete Guide to the Most Common CEFR English Language Tests
Navigating the world of English language tests can be daunting. With so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? This blog post will guide you through six of the most popular tests aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
These tests measure your language ability in specific situations and some are designed to measure your language proficiency level according to the CEFR descriptors, which are task-based. To score higher on these tests, your goal will be to show the depth and breadth of your vocabulary and your ability to do language tasks using a variety of sentence structures in organised paragraphs.
| TOEFL | IELTS | Cambridge | TOEIC | PTE | ESOL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Education Migration |
Education Migration |
Education Employment Migration |
Education Employment |
Education Employment Migration |
Education |
| Accepted | Worldwide | Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada, USA | Worldwide | Worldwide | Worldwide | Europe |
| Test Type | Computer | Computer or Paper | Computer or Paper | Computer or Paper | Computer | Computer |
| Time to Results in Days | 10 | Digital: 5-7 Paper: 13 |
Digital: 14-21 Paper: 28-42 |
10-15 | 2 | 5 |
| Duration | 3.5 Hours | 3 Hours | 5 Hours | 2 Hours | 2.5 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Test fee (USD) | $180-$325 | $215-$310 | $150-195 | $150-$320 | $180-$340 | $72-$240 |
| Test Availability | Weekly | Daily/Weekly | Monthly | Monthly | Weekly | Daily |
| Onsite/Remote | Both Available | Both Available | Onsite | Onsite | Both Available | Both Available |
| Global Seal Accepted | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ |
Purpose
Migration
Migration
Employment
Migration
Employment
Employment
Migration
Accepted
Test Type
Time to Results in Days
Paper: 13
Paper: 28-42
Duration
Test fee (USD)
Test Availability
Onsite/Remote
Global Seal Accepted
TOEFL
(Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Purpose: Education, Migration
Accepted: Worldwide
Test Type: Computer
Time to Results in Days: 10
Duration: 3.5 Hours
Test fee (USD): $180-$325
Test Availability: Weekly
Onsite/Remote: Both Available
Global Seal Accepted: Yes
Primarily aimed at non-native speakers intending to pursue studies at English-speaking universities, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized evaluation tool that helps ascertain English language proficiency levels. The TOEFL scores are accepted by numerous English-speaking professional and academic institutions worldwide.
The prevalent format for TOEFL is the internet-based test (iBT). It's composed of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, each garnering up to 30 points and a cumulative possible score of 120. The reading section presents 3-4 academic-themed passages, each about 700 words long, with 12-14 questions following each passage. The listening section offers 6-9 passages that are 3-5 minutes long, each followed by 5-6 questions. The speaking and writing sections, on the other hand, demand response to tasks based on reading and listening, along with expressing opinions on various topics.
Scores for each section, ranging from 0 to 30, are calculated and combined to provide a total score that can fall anywhere between 0 to 120. The whole test lasts around 3 hours, exclusive of a 10-minute break. TOEFL iBT tests are conducted over 60 times annually at authorized centers across the globe. The scores are valid for two years post the test date, and an array of resources, including official guidebooks and practice tests from ETS, are available for preparation.
IELTS
(International English Language Testing System)
Purpose: Education, Migration
Accepted: Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada, USA
Test Type: Computer or Paper
Time to Results in Days: Digital: 5-7, Paper: 13
Duration: 3 Hours
Test fee (USD): $215-$310
Test Availability: Daily/Weekly
Onsite/Remote: Both Available
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
The IELTS test is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand, and South African academic institutions. Over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States and various professional organisations across the world also accept IELTS. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The IELTS test comes in two versions: the Academic Version and the General Training Version:
The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practise in an English-speaking country.
The General Training Version is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.
The IELTS test assesses all of your English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at study, at work, and at play, in your new life abroad.
The test is divided into four sections:
Listening (30 minutes): You will listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers, and write your answers to a series of questions.
Reading (60 minutes): The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills.
Writing (60 minutes): Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
Speaking (11–14 minutes): The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete.
The total test time is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The IELTS scoring system is recognised globally, giving you a truly international result. You receive a score between 1 and 9 for each section of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.
Cambridge English Exams
Purpose: Education, Migration
Accepted: Worldwide
Test Type: Computer or Paper
Time to Results in Days: Digital: 14-21, Paper: 28-42
Duration: 5 Hours
Test fee (USD): $150-195
Test Availability: Monthly
Onsite/Remote: Onsite
The Cambridge English General Exam, also known as the General Training module, is designed for individuals who wish to migrate to an English-speaking country or wish to train or study at below degree level. It's a comprehensive test that assesses your proficiency in English across four key areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Here's a breakdown of what each section entails:
Listening (Approximately 30 minutes): This section consists of 40 questions. You'll listen to a series of audio clips and answer questions based on them. The audio clips can include conversations, monologues, and discussions on various topics.
Reading (60 minutes): This section also consists of 40 questions. You'll be given several passages to read, and you'll have to answer questions based on these passages. The content can range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical texts.
Writing (60 minutes): In this section, you'll be given two tasks to complete. These tasks assess your ability to write effectively in English. The tasks can include writing an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem, or writing a letter or explaining a situation.
Speaking (11–14 minutes): This section assesses your spoken English skills. It is divided into three parts and includes tasks such as giving a long turn (where you speak for one to two minutes on a particular topic) and participating in a discussion.
The Cambridge English General Exam is designed to reflect real-life situations, making it a practical assessment of your English language skills. It's important to note that the Speaking and Listening tests are the same for both the Academic and General Training modules, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.
TOEIC
(Test of English for International Communication)
Purpose: Employment, Migration
Accepted: Worldwide
Test Type: Computer or Paper
Time to Results in Days: 10-15
Duration: 2 Hours
Test fee (USD): $150-$320
Test Availability: Monthly
Onsite/Remote: Onsite
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is another international standardized English language proficiency test for non-native speakers, primarily designed to evaluate their everyday English skills in an international work environment.
The TOEIC exam comes in two main forms:
The Listening & Reading Test, which is a two-hour exam with 45 minutes dedicated to listening and 75 minutes to reading, consisting of 200 multiple-choice items divided equally between both sections. Each question accounts for five scores, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 990 points. A TOEIC certificate is awarded in five colors, representing the range of achieved scores.
The TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests, introduced in 2006, can either be taken together or individually. They assess various facets of English usage, including pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, content relevance, and organization. The speaking test lasts around 20 minutes, while the writing test goes on for approximately 60 minutes. Each test has a score range of 0–200, with test-takers grouped into different proficiency levels.
The TOEIC test plays a significant role in recruitment processes, especially in countries like South Korea and Japan, although the exact requirements and the application of TOEIC scores can differ based on the specific institution, company, or country.
PTE
(Pearson Test of English)
Purpose: Education, Employment
Accepted: Worldwide
Test Type: Computer
Time to Results in Days: 2
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Test fee (USD): $180-$340
Test Availability: Weekly
Onsite/Remote: Both Available
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a comprehensive suite of English language assessments devised by Pearson PLC, a renowned British multinational publishing and education firm. Comprising PTE Academic, PTE General, and PTE Young Learners, these tests aim to gauge and certify the English language proficiency of non-native speakers.
The primary purpose of the PTE is to assess English competency in individuals for whom English isn't the first language. Universities often employ these scores during their admissions procedures for international students. PTE Academic, a computer-based test designed for those intending to study abroad, evaluates Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills within a single 3-hour session in a secure environment. The speaking segment is conducted and recorded on the computer for marking.
The PTE Academic encompasses a wide range of tasks, including reading aloud, sentence repetition, image description, lecture retelling, short question answering, text summarization, and essay writing. It also includes multiple-choice questions, reordering of paragraphs, and fill-in-the-blanks.
The scoring follows the Global Scale of English, a numeric scale from 10 to 90, which measures English language proficiency with respect to the CEFR levels. With a maximum duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, results are delivered online within 5 working days. The PTE Academic test is available in over 50 countries worldwide, and test sessions can be scheduled up to a day in advance, all year round.
ESOL
LanguageCert International
Purpose: Education
Accepted: Europe
Test Type: Computer
Time to Results in Days: 5
Duration: 3 Hours
Test fee (USD): $72-$240
Test Availability: Daily
Onsite/Remote: Both Available
Tailored for those aiming to travel, study, or work in English-speaking environments, the LanguageCert International ESOL offers a set of English language qualifications recognized globally. They are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background.
The LanguageCert International ESOL examinations evaluate all four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The exams are divided into Written (listening, reading, writing) and Spoken (speaking) components, taken separately at the candidate's convenience.
The LanguageCert International ESOL suite incorporates six levels, each aligning with a level in the CEFR, from A1 (Breakthrough) to C2 (Mastery). Emphasizing communicative ability, the exams are designed to be fair, valid, reliable, and practical.
The Speaking Exam, colloquially termed the 'Spoken Exam', consists of a one-on-one discussion with a LanguageCert Interlocutor on various topics of interest. Lasting approximately 15 minutes, the pass mark is set at 50%, with possible grades being High Pass, Pass, or Fail.
The Written Exam is comprised of three sections: Listening, Reading, and Writing. The duration of this exam varies depending on the qualification level. The tasks in this exam are designed to be engaging and relatable, involving everyday life events such as writing letters to friends, sharing thoughts, listening to an interesting story, or reading a piece of news. The structure of the written exam is as follows: Listening section (26 questions), Reading section (26 questions), and Writing section (2 tasks). All questions in the Listening and Reading sections, and the two tasks of the Writing section are equivalent. The pass score is at least 50% overall in all sections, with no thresholds or limitations per section. The grades awarded can be High Pass, Pass, or Fail.
To conclude, all these tests carry their distinct attributes and are recognized by various institutions worldwide. Your choice will hinge on your specific needs, be it for study, work, or migration. Be sure to verify the English language requirements of the institution you're applying to before deciding on a test.
Remember, adequate preparation is the key to succeeding in any of these tests. Best of luck!