TOEFL
This exam is perfect if you want to study in English-speaking countries, especially the USA, Canada, and Australia. It measures the 4 academic English skills the way they are used in a classroom, with material taken from textbooks, lectures, and campus life. It is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and institutions in over 160 countries. The English used is American English.
IELTS
This is an English language proficiency test, covering the 4 language skills, that is useful if you want to study or work in countries where English is used for communication, mainly the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, among others. It has two formats: Academic IELTS, which focuses more on academic English and is for applying to higher education (university or postgraduate) or professions, and General IELTS, which covers broad real-life and work language and situations. The English used is British English.
Both TOEFL and IELTS are valid for 2 years. IELTS is more common in the UK, and TOEFL in the USA, although there are exceptions and many higher learning institutions will accept both. Cambridge exam certifications are valid for life.
Cambridge Exams
These are the best to take if you want to have a diploma that indicates your level of English, for work or in your CV. The exam is graded according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2, and tests the 4 language skills, with a strong focus on grammar. Each of the exams (Key, Preliminary, First, Advanced, and Proficiency) is focused on a specific level of the language, and this is reflected in the type of vocabulary and grammatical structures used in the exam. Not only do you have to know the language, but you also have to practice doing each section. Preparation usually takes several months.
Cambridge English exam results (FCE, CAE, Proficiency) and certificate are valid indefinitely.
Other exams
TOEIC is a test of English for communication and it’s usually used for business, especially in Asia, to prove employees’ English is good enough to work with and understand English-speaking clients and colleagues. TOEIC scores are usually considered valid for two years.
The Trinity ISE exam helps develop communicative and transferable skills required for academic study and employability. It is divided into 5 CEFR levels. The Trinity GESE exams develop your speaking proficiency and complement your general English courses. These exams are one-to-one, face-to-face assessments of English language speaking and listening skills with an examiner.
