How do I choose the right English proficiency test?

This article is all about helping you choose the English proficiency exam that best suits your needs. It can feel confusing to know what English test to take, which is why this article provides a detailed overview of each of the most popular English proficiency exams. 

This was also an episode on the English with Andrea podcast, so feel free to listen along as you read. 

The proficiency tests we will talk about today are CEFR, CAMBRIDGE, GMAT, TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS. We will look at the evaluation and scoring system of each one of those tests, along with who should take them. 

CEFR

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) is an international proficiency test that assesses language skills in all European Union languages, including the English language. CEFR belongs to the Council of Europe and evaluates skills applicable to any language. It is a test initially recognized in Europe, and now worldwide. Cambridge Assessment English is also an important part of the development of CEFR.

This test comes in 39 different language versions. Its online modality BULATS (Business Language Test Service) can be taken in the face-to-face version. Be sure to search for a center in your city that is authorized to proctor the test. The skills assessed in this test are speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

A CEFR score is assigned on a six-point scale (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 e C2). Scale A refers to initial and basic levels. The B scale refers to a median level of understanding of the language. The C scale indicates language proficiency, and is usually the level requested by institutions for students who wish to exchange. There are three categories for classifications ranging from A1 for beginners to C2 for advanced students. The classifications are as follows:

BASIC (scale A): Pre A1, A1, and A2.
INDEPENDENT (scale B): B1 and B2.
PROFICIENT (scale C): C1 and C2.

Source: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/cefr/

CAMBRIDGE TESTS 

Pre A1 Starters (YLE Starters), A1 Movers (YLE Movers), A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers), A2 Key for Schools (KET), B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET), B2 First for Schools (FCE), A2 Key (KET), B1 Preliminary (PET), B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE), B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary), B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage), C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)). The detailed scores for each of the Cambridge tests can be accessed through the links for each exam. Click on what interests you most.

BASIC (scale A)

Pre A1 Starters (YLE Starters) is a test aimed at children. It is the first of three Cambridge English Qualifications designed for this age group. These tests cover familiar topics, focusing on skills needed to communicate well, introducing written and spoken English from day to day. Students take the test using 3 sheets of paper, and it lasts about 45 minutes.

A1 Movers (YLE Movers) is the second of three Cambridge English Qualifications. It follows the same content and application model as the previous test, with the difference being that students have about 1 hour to perform the test.

A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers) is the third of three Cambridge English Qualifications. It has the same characteristics as the previous tests, except for the duration of the test, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

A2 Key for Schools (KET) is a classification that attests that a student knows how to use English to communicate in simple situations. It has the same characteristics as the previous tests, except that it can be applied both by means of paper and the computer. The duration of the test is also different, being about 2 hours for completion.

INDEPENDENT (scale B)

B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET) is a classification that attests that a student has a command of basic English and already has practical skills for daily use of the language. It is a test that can be taken both through paper and the computer. The duration is about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The scale score for this test is: 140–159.

B2 First for Schools (FCE) is a classification that attests that a student has mastery of language skills to communicate properly in an English-speaking environment. It is a test applied on 4 sheets, both through paper and the computer. The test duration is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The scale score for this test is: 160–179.

A2 Key (KET) is a classification that attests that a student has mastery of language skills to communicate in English in simple situations. It is a test that can be taken both on paper or the computer. The duration of the test is about 2 hours. The scale score for this test is: 120–139.

B1 Preliminary (PET) is a classification that attests that a student has a command of basic English and is able to put practical language skills into practice on a daily basis. It is a test that can be taken either on paper or the computer. The test duration is about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The scale score for this test is: 140–159.

B2 First (FCE) is a classification that attests that a student has language skills to live, work and study in an English-speaking country. It is a test that can be taken either on paper or the computer. The test duration is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The scale score for this test is: 160–179.

PROFICIENT (scale C)

C1 Advanced (CAE) is a classification that attests that a student has advanced language skills, desirable for employers and universities. It is a test that is taken either on paper or the computer. The test duration is about 4 hours. The scale score for this test is: 180-199.

C2 Proficiency (CPE) is a classification that attests that a student has high level language skills, making him / her a competent English speaker. It is a test applied on 4 sheets, both through paper and the computer. The test duration is about 4 hours. The scale score for this test is: 200–230.

B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary) is a business-oriented classification that attests to employers the candidate’s competence aimed at a good knowledge of English in a practical way. It is a test applied on 3 sheets, both through paper and the computer. The test duration is about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The scale score for this test is: 140-159.

B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) is a business-oriented classification that attests to employers that the candidate is able to perform in international business. This exam is also used as a means to get a new job, or even to be promoted. It is a test applied on 4 sheets, both through paper and the computer. The test duration is about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The scale score for this test is: 160-179.

C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher) is a business-oriented rating that attests to employers that the candidate has an advanced level of business English. It is a test applied on 4 sheets, both through paper and the computer. The duration of the test is about 3 hours. The scale score for this test is: 180-199

GMAT 

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a proficiency exam used on a large scale for admissions to MBA and Masters programs, and has been applied for 60 years. Currently, the GMAT is applied in 650 test centers in 114 countries.

The GMAT does not focus the assessment solely on English language proficiency. However, top English skills are essential in order to get a good score. Due to your business readiness when taking the GMAT exam, you need to address a variety of skills and strengths in areas important to corporate recruiters. Thus, the following are analyzed:

Analytical writing – ability to evaluate and think critically, communicating ideas in a way
Integrated reasoning – ability to receive and work with information in several different formats and sources
Quantitative – ability to analyze data, and obtain logical conclusions, using reasoning skills
Verbal – ability to read and understand written texts, evaluate arguments and correct materials that do not conform to standard English

Total, verbal and quantitative scores: This score ranges from 200 to 800 points. Verbal and quantitative scores range from 0 to 60.

Analytical writing assessment score: The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is based on analysis of an argument, the score ranges from 0 to 6 in half-point intervals. The assessment is evaluated by electronic means, which looks at the structural and linguistic characteristics of the writing, including organization of ideas, syntactic variety, and analysis of topics. The audit may also be conducted by human assessors.

Integrated reasoning score: These scores range from 1 to 8 at single digit intervals.
Most questions focus on an answer that measures the analysis against complex data, and it is necessary to answer all answers to a question correctly to receive credit, so that partial answers are not credited.

Regarding the SCORE, GMAT you can check the full explanatory chart here.

Section	Scoring	How the Section is Scored
Analytical Writing Assessment	0.0-6.0	Each essay is scored by a machine algorithm and some essays are additionally reviewed and audited by professional essay raters. The scores are averaged to provide one section score, reported in intervals of 0.5.
Integrated Reasoning	1-8	The Integrated Reasoning score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly. Some questions may have multiple parts; you must answer all parts to a question correctly to receive credit for that question. Scores are reported in intervals of 1.
Quantitative and Verbal	6-51	The Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections are item-level adaptive, and your score is based on three factors: 1. Number of questions you answer 2. Whether your answers are correct 3. Difficulty and other parameters of the questions you answered You will earn a higher score if you answer a higher number of questions, answer more of them correctly, and qualify for questions of a higher difficulty level. Scores are reported in intervals of 1 and the standard error of measurement is 3 points.
TOTAL	200-800	Total Scores are based on your calculated performance before scores are given for the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. The raw calculation is then converted to a number in the Total Score range. Scores are reported in intervals of 10. The standard error of measurement is 30-40 points.

TOEFL

TOEFL is an acronym for defining the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Test of English as a Foreign Language. TOEFL is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). Now, TOEFL is accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom and throughout Europe and Asia. The TOEFL certificate is issued by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), an American non-profit organization.

Regarding the SCORE, there is no pass or fail score for the TOEFL. Each institution or agency defines its own scoring requirements, so be sure to talk to the college or university you are applying to so you can know what score you need to get on the test. 

For more details about the TOEFL test, but sure to check out this article I wrote, which includes the formatting of the test and what you need to score. 

TOEIC

The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), just like TOEFL, comes from ETS, is an English language proficiency assessment system, widely used in the world, which focuses on assessment aimed at the workplace. Due to leadership in this sector, and with more than 40 years of application, TOEIC is seen as a standard to be followed to assess English language skills, with a focus on the workplace. More than 14,000 organizations in more than 160 countries use TOEIC to assess candidate proficiency.

There are three TOEIC assessment models: the TOEIC® Listening and Reading Test, the TOEIC® Speaking and Writing Tests, and TOEIC Bridge® Test.

The TOEIC ® Listening and Reading Test works with listening and reading skills, assessed as necessary, as well as real-life situations aimed at adequate performance at work in the international environment, in English. Like the TOEFL, the TOEIC ® listening and reading test does not pass or fail students. It only presents the candidate’s real proficiency results for each institution.

To see the detailed score, see the pdf provided on the TOEIC page.

The TOEIC ® Speaking and Writing Tests aims to assess the ability to communicate in English, both in written and spoken form in the workplace.

SCORE for spoken test:

Questions 1 to 9: receive a rating on a scale of 0 to 3.
Questions: 10–11: receive a rating on a scale of 0–5.
Sum of ratings: conversion to a 0–200 scale score is applied.
The proficiency levels provided for this test are eight.

SCORE for the written test:

Questions from 1 to 5: receive a rating on a scale of 0 to 3.
Questions 6–7: receive a rating on a scale of 0–4.
Question 8: receives an evaluation on a scale of 0–5.
Sum of ratings: conversion to a 0–200 scale score is applied.
The proficiency levels offered are nine.

The TOEIC Bridge ® test is designed to assess and measure English proficiency from beginners to intermediate students. In this test, listening and reading skills are measured using multiple choice questions.

To see the detailed score, see the pdf provided on the TOEIC page.

IELTS

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and, like the TOEFL, is an international standardized English language proficiency test for non-native English speakers. IELTS was created in 1989 and is managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.

IELTS is accepted by a number of Australian, British, Canadian, Irish and New Zealand academic institutions, in addition to more than 3,000 academic institutions in the United States and by various professional organizations worldwide. IELTS has the advantage of being the only English Language Test approved by the British Visa and Immigration department (UK Visas and Immigration). As well as an alternative to the prerequisites required for immigration processes to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

IELTS belongs to the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge English Language Assessment. The diploma is issued by the Cambridge English Language Assessment, based at the University of Cambridge in England.

For the IELTS SCORE, there is no minimum score to pass this test. IELTS does not issue a pass or fail result. Instead, a score of 0-9 is assigned to each of the test stages, which reflects different levels of English language proficiency. What happens is that an IELTS result or Test Report Form (TRF) is issued to all participants, and the score is classified as follows: “track 1” (not a user of the language) ranging up to “track 9” (specialized user language). In fact, it is up to each immigration institution or process to establish a necessary score.

Be sure to check out this article I wrote on the difference between the TOEFL and IELTS for more information about the IELTS exam.  

Tell me here in the comments, what proficiency exams are missing from this list? Which one are you studying for? 

Click on one of the following links to start speaking clearer English!

1) TOEFL MASTER CLASS

2) free mini-course “punctuation mistakes to avoid”

3) Clear English Pronunciation Video Course

4) English Vocabulary – Audio Files & PDF – TOEFL & IELTS