Created by Oya Gücer Kay / February, 2024
In the dynamic landscape of today's globalized world, English proficiency has become a paramount asset. Global English exams serve as standardized assessments, offering individuals the opportunity to demonstrate their language skills on an international scale. These exams play a crucial role in academic pursuits, professional endeavors, and even migration processes. Recognized by universities, employers, and institutions worldwide, they serve as a common yardstick to measure and compare language proficiency levels.
IELTS, established in 1989, is a globally recognized standardized test of English proficiency for non-native speakers. Co-managed by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge English, it is a pivotal assessment for individuals aiming at academic pursuits, professional registration, work, or migration to English-speaking countries.
| Modules | Academic and General Training |
| Scoring | Results range from "band 1" (non-user) to "band 9" (expert user), with no minimum score required to pass. |
| Validity | Institutions generally consider reports valid for up to two years. |
IELTS stands as a comprehensive measure of language skills, adapting to diverse purposes and enabling individuals to showcase their proficiency on a global scale.
TOEFL, designed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), is a standardized test assessing the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. Acknowledged globally, TOEFL offers two modules catering to diverse needs.
| TOEFL iBT® | Academic English test, trusted worldwide. 100% academic English, completed in under 2 hours. |
| TOEFL® Essentials™ | English test with a friendly, engaging format. Covers both academic and general English, lasting 1.5 hours. |
| Reading | 3–4 passages, each with 10 questions, lasting 54–72 minutes. |
| Listening | 5–7 passages, each with 5–6 questions, spanning 41–57 minutes. |
| Break | A mandatory 10-minute break. |
| Speaking | 4 tasks within a 17-minute timeframe. |
| Writing | 2 tasks completed in 50 minutes. |
| Scoring | TOEFL iBT test is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points, with each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) receiving a scaled score from 0 to 30. The combined scores determine the total score. |
TOEFL stands as a reliable benchmark for academic English proficiency, offering varied modules to accommodate different language needs.
Cambridge Assessment English, the entity behind Cambridge English Qualifications and the renowned International English Language Testing System (IELTS), stands as a pillar in the field of language assessment and development.
Cambridge English Exams extend beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, catering to diverse age groups and specific professional needs. Apart from assessments tailored for children and adults, Cambridge Business Exams, a specialized branch, offers targeted evaluations for individuals immersed in the business sphere.
Within the realm of Cambridge business exams, three distinctive modules delineate varying proficiency levels:
Each module boasts its own grading format, finely tuned to discern proficiency accurately. These exams assess four fundamental aspects of the English language, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of language skills.
These exams, taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes on average
Cambridge English Exams, known for their precision and adaptability, stand as a global standard in language proficiency assessment.
The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is a globally recognized standardized test designed for non-native speakers, specifically those operating in international settings, to assess their everyday English skills.
Test takers receive separate scores for each test. It's also possible to take only the Speaking or Writing test.
The TOEIC stands as a practical measure of English proficiency, offering a nuanced evaluation of both spoken and written language skills in diverse professional contexts.
Trinity's English language exams emphasize communicative and integrated language skills necessary for individuals of all ages in today's interconnected world. These qualifications, covering every learning stage from beginner to advanced, include two oral assessments, four skills assessments (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), and young learner awards.
Trinity offers Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for visas, including Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE) and Integrated Skills in English (ISE) exams. GESE exams are one-to-one assessments, ranging from Grades 1-12, while ISE exams cover four skills and are calibrated to CEFR levels.
These exams, crucial for visa applications, cover various visa categories, including Further Leave to Remain, Settlement, British Citizenship, and others.
The Occupational English Test (OET) evaluates the English language proficiency of healthcare professionals trained overseas who aim to register and practice in English-speaking environments.
Regardless of the mode, OET maintains consistent test tasks, format, and difficulty level.
Candidates receive a score from 0-500 for each of the four sub-tests. Instead of an overall grade, individual grades are assigned for each sub-test.
Scores are typically considered valid for up to two years. Recognizing organizations often require candidates to achieve a B grade or higher in all four sub-tests for acceptance.
iTEP is a language assessment tool for non-native English speakers, measuring skills across education and business applications.
| iTEP Academic | Used on-site by Intensive English Programs (IEPs) for placement, progress, and exit evaluation, employed by colleges and universities for admissions. |
| iTEP SLATE | Assesses high school, secondary school, and middle school students. |
| iTEP Placement | Designed for prompt placement testing in English programs. Assesses grammar, listening, vocabulary, and reading, along with writing prompts graded by the administering institution. |
| iTEP Business | Screens new hires, aids decisions about promotions and assignments, and evaluates English training programs. |
| iTEP Conversation | Assesses speaking and understanding within 30 minutes, fostering a conversational, friendly context. Also used in academic settings. |
| iTEP Hospitality | Evaluates English skills for roles in restaurants, hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. Administered onsite by employers for hiring and promotional decisions. |
| iTEP Au Pair | Assesses English abilities for foreign applicants to au pair programs in the US, focusing on industry-specific content. |
| iTEP Intern | Used for J-1 visa applicants working as interns in the US, assessing listening and speaking skills in workplace contexts. |
Pearson PLC offers a suite of internationally recognized English proficiency tests for non-native speakers, including the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and the PTE General. Accredited by the QCA and Ofqual, these scenario-based exams are administered in collaboration with Edexcel.
Pearson's PTE exams contribute to the diverse landscape of English proficiency assessments, catering to various needs and proficiency levels.
In the dynamic landscape of English proficiency testing, our assessment tool emerges as a candidate-friendly and modern alternative. While traditional tests like IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, TOEIC, OET, and iTEP offer comprehensive evaluations, our approach introduces unique advantages.
Unlike tests with fixed dates and locations, our test provides the flexibility of choosing both time and location, without compromising security and integrity. This flexibility caters to the needs of candidates, allowing them to showcase their language skills at their best convenience.
Our test stands out with its timeliness. Traditional tests, valid for up to two years, might not accurately reflect a candidate's current proficiency. Our approach, offering a new English test before each hiring decision, ensures that the assessment is more relevant and updated.
In business contexts, where effective communication is paramount, our tests might be considered more comprehensive. While some of the existing tests have their strengths in academic or visa application domains, our focus on business-related subjects aligns with the specific language needs of professional settings.
Administering our test right before hiring decisions ensures that the candidate's language proficiency is measured at the most crucial moment. This approach provides employers with a real-time assessment of a candidate's abilities, contributing to more informed and accurate hiring decisions.
In summary, our English proficiency test combines candidate-friendly features, timeliness, business relevance, and efficiency in hiring, making it a contemporary and valuable option in the evolving landscape of language assessment.
