english language (efl) exams / examinations

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OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Further details of all exams shown below can be obtained directly from the exam boards

• INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTS
  • Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (held every June)
  • Diploma in Translation (held every November - post-grad. level qualification)

• ASSESSMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS ALLIANCE (AQA)
  The AQA offers the following qualifications:
  • Junior English Tests 'JET' - Levels 1-4 (level 1 for 7/8 yrs, 2 for 9/10 yrs, 3 for 11/12 yrs for 12/13yrs).
  • Senior English Tests 'SET' - Levels 1-2 (level 1 for 14/15 yrs and 2 for 15/ 16 yrs).
  • Exams can be taken at registered AQA centres in the UK.

• CENTRA
  • Test in English Language Skills, at basic and intermediate levels.
  • The exam assesses the candidate’s ability to use the type of factual English needed for work, as opposed to social English.
  • All four language skills are tested.
  • Exams take place mid-May to mid-June at registered centres.

• ENGLISH SPEAKING BOARD
  • Oral assessments in English as an Acquired Language (EAL) for all ages and professions.
  • Levels covered in the main EAL syllabus range from Pre-Foundation, through Intermediate to Advanced, with three stages in each range.
  • A Higher Certificate in EAL and a Certificate in Professional Skills for Language School Teachers (International) are also available, together with the Diploma in EAL which entitles holders to use the initials Dip.ESB (EAL).
  • ESB’s EAL examinations can be taken in a range of centres in the UK and overseas.

• GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL (GMC)
  • Overseas doctors wishing to work in the UK have to sit the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, which assesses candidates’ communication skills in clinical situations.
  • Before taking the PLAB, candidates must first achieve a minimum overall band score of 7.0 in the IELTS test, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each on the four individual sections. (Further details of IELTS.)
  • The PLAB test is divided into two separate parts :
    1) Multiple choice questions, Clinical problem solving & Photographic material examinations.
    2) Objective Structured Clinical and Oral Examinations (OSCOE), designed to test the candidate’s ability to communicate with patients, medical colleagues, etc.

• INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTS
  • Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (held every June)
  • Diploma in Translation (held every November - post-grad. level qualification) Diploma in English for International Communication (held every May - degree level qualification)
  • Successful diploma candidates can apply for Membership of the Institute - MIL

• LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATIONS BOARD (LCCIEB)
  As shown in the chart plus:
  • Communication - Use of English (Private Secretary’s Certificate, Second Certificate for Legal Secretaries, Second Certificate in Office Technology). Post ‘A’-level qualification, which demonstrates the candidate’s ability to operate in a middle to senior management environment.
  • Communication - Use of English (Private and Executive Secretary’s Diploma). Postgraduate level qualification for those working at senior secretarial / administrative level.
  • English Language Skills Assessment - ELSA Multiple-choice proficiency test developed to evaluate the overall English language skills of a candidate. Covers reading, writing, listening and speaking (each may be separately tested and scored). Scores are accompanied by an explanation which predicts performance in a business context.

• LONDON EXAMINATIONS – EDEXCEL INTERNATIONAL
  • Communicative language tests Six progressive levels.
  • Part of the European Certificate project.

• TOEIC - Test of English for International Communication
  • Used by multi-national corporations, often in the Far East, to assess English communication skills.
  • The exam consists of a multiple choice, covering listening comprehension and reading.
  • TOEIC uses North American English.

• TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON
  • Trinity administers the only full range of entirely oral examinations for learners of English.
  • This 12 level, 1-to-1 assessment scheme is available in over 50 countries, for all age groups.

• UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE
  As shown in the chart plus:
  • Cambridge Young Learners Tests This series comprises three levels of assessment (Starters, Mover and Flyers) from Beginner to Waystage level, and is designed for learners aged 7 to 11 years.
  • Cambridge Examination in English for Language Teachers (CEELT) Levels I and II. Exam for teachers whose first language is not English, available at two levels. All four language skills are tested (reading, writing, listening & speaking). Candidates sit three papers (oral, listening & reading/writing). Includes a video based oral test.
    Also from UCLES:
    
  • Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) Assessment service specifically for the use of companies and organisations which need a reliable way of assessing the language ability of employees or trainees. Includes tests in a number of European languages. Institutions wishing to use the service must contact their local BULATS agent.
  • CommuniCAT Computer based language testing system, aimed at schools and universities. Assesses a student’s language ability to help in placements, progress reports etc.. Suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced.

Level of English /Exams required to study at a UK university.

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