Levels & Exams

Levels

We have two ways of telling what level of English a person has. The first one is a free test that will tell us exactly which areas of grammar a student may have problems with. This will give you some idea of what level you might be.
This is not an exact method of assessment as grammar is only one of many ingredients of fluency in English.
This is why we recommend that you book a trial lesson with us, so that a tutor can check your speaking, reading and writing skills.

What system do we use?

After you have done your test, you will receive an email telling you your score, list of areas of grammar you need to work on, and your approximate level.
We use the levels that our students are most familiar with – elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate, and advanced.
Click here to see how these levels translate to the Common European Framework levels and ESOL levels. Please remember that this is only an approximation..

Exams

Passing an exam and getting an internationally recognized English language qualification can boost your confidence and your career prospects. Some qualifications, such as IELTS, TOEFL or CAE, are also a standard requirement for foreign nationals wishing to study at many British or American universities.

Level-testing exams

The first category of exams, are the ones designed to assess the student’s level of English. These exams have a graded level of difficulty; from easy to very difficult tasks, and the score you receive tells you how proficient in English you currently are.

The most popular of these type of exams are:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Fixed level exams

With this type of exams, the level is fixed so all of the tasks are more or less the same level of difficulty. The assumption is that if you are that level, you will pass the exam, and if you are not – you will fail.

By far the most well-known of this type of exams are University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations:

• KET (Key English Test)
• PET (Preliminary English Test)
• FCE (First Certificate in English)
• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
• CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

A lesser known option are exams prepared by Education Development International – a UK-based organization, offering a whole range of qualifications; including English language certificates.

A JETSET ESOL qualification would be an option for you if you see your academic or professional future in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

EDI qualifications that are accredited by London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) are recognized internationally. You will find a full list here.

EDI offers the following exams:

• JETSET ESOL (General English qualifications)
• EFB (English for Business – accredited by LCCI)
• SEFIC (Spoken English for Industry and Commerce – accredited by LCCI)
• EFT (English for Tourism – accredited by LCCI)

Business English and English for Specific Purposes:

EDI exams accredited by LCCI:

• EFB (English for Business – accredited by LCCI)
• SEFIC (Spoken English for Industry and Commerce – accredited by LCCI)>
• EFT (English for Tourism – accredited by LCCI)

University of Cambridge ESOL exams:

• BEC (Business English Certificate)
• ILEC (International Legal English Certificate)
• ICFE (International Certificate of Financial English)

Other:

• UBELT (University of Bath English Language Test) – for members of the pharmaceutical and healthcare professions)