Cambridge Certificates

Cambridge Certificates

If you have decided to study English in an English-speaking country, you cannot avoid enrolling in a Cambridge course. The official Cambridge exams are recognized all over the world and can be booked at our different English-speaking partner schools around the world on set dates.

The Cambridge exams

Cambridge English certificates are officially recognized by thousands of organizations around the world as proof of a linguistic knowledge and they evaluate all four language skills: reading, listening, written communication and oral communication.
A wide range of exams is offered at different levels (5) from A2 – Elementary Level to C2 – advanced advanced level which correspond as proof of a standard of competence in the use of English. Universities in Great Britain and North America accept certificates corresponding to levels 4 (C1) and 5 (C2) as evidence for admission to degree courses and post-graduate courses but not only. In fact, many companies around the world believe that the FCE is a proof that the potential employee is able to perform a wide range of jobs that require the use of English.
FCE (Cambridge First Certificate in English)
The First Certificate in English is an intermediate level exam 3 (B2 – of the Common European Framework of reference for languages) and is undoubtedly the most popular. Passing this exam indicates that the student has now developed linguistic skills such as to be able to study or work in a purely English context even if he is still lacking specific technical terms.

Who could be interested in the FCE?

This exam is strongly recommended for people who want to work in an international environment or who require studying abroad (college, university etc.).

Required level

The FCE exam is a difficult and very technical exam and requires professional preparation. If you aspire to present yourself at the FCE, you must be able to:

• express yourself with ease so as to participate in a daily conversation with native speakers on different topics;
• understand the general meaning of texts;
• understand and memorize contents when listening to a native speaker
• include TV and radio programs in general.

Prepare for the FCE

A preparatory course for this exam is often essential to refresh and consolidate your current level and to learn and get used to the particular requirements of this exam. A professional preparatory course will help you to better identify the objectives and the various “obstacles” proposed by this exam.

There are several options available:

• Generally you need 8 to 12 weeks to have a complete and effective preparation
• Short-term courses (during the summer period) of 4 weeks are also available, suitable for participants above the average level.
• Courses “at the teacher’s home” offer an intensive “tailor made” preparation, excellent solution for those who have no time and want to receive particular attention from the professor

Content

1. Reading comprehension (First test) 1 hour 15 minutes
   This test measures your ability to read and understand texts, newspapers, magazines etc. The expectations are that you are able to demonstrate understanding of the content, of the details and to “subtract” the meaning.
2. Written production (Test two) 1 hour 30 minutes
   This test assesses your ability to compile non-specialist texts such as magazine articles and newspapers, letters and themes. Your texts must contain between 120 and 180 words.
3. “Use of English” 1 hour 15 minutes
   This test analyzes your skills in completing sentences, transformations of words and expressions and recognizing any errors in the texts.
4. Oral comprehension (Test four) 40 minutes
   This test assesses your dexterity in understanding the meaning of spoken English and “subtracting” its meaning and details. Normally this happens through audio recordings of conversations, interviews
5. Oral production (Test five) 14 minutes
   This test certifies your mastery of interacting in conversational English in various contexts. The test normally takes place in pairs and sometimes in three. In general they will require you to know how to present yourself, to know how to ask questions, and to be able to illustrate photos, images and drawings.

Official FCE recognition

The FCE is recognized as world-wide and certifies the validity of acquired language skills. The reputation of this examination attests that your level is recognized by universities and employers of Great Britain. Consult the list of institutions that recognize the FCE.

If an assessment of your level of English is necessary for your career or your studies, the FCE will be your first academic and professional “goal”.
More information

http://www.cambridge-efl.org/

CAE: (Certificate of Advanced English)

The EWC, usually called “Advance” is an FCE top level exam which attests to an advanced knowledge of English, (level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
The EWC makes it possible to understand English and to speak it both in formal and informal contexts.

Who is the EWC for?

The CAE is strongly recommended for anyone who needs to work in an international environment or work abroad.
If you wish to continue your studies in an English-speaking country, more and more universities, especially in Great Britain, apply for the EWC as a certificate attesting to the good level of English of the future participant.

Required level

In general, to take this exam, your level of English must enable you to:

• Express yourself with fluency using a vast “bag” of words
• Being able to understand challenging texts and to “capture” the implicit meaning
• Treat complex topics in a structured way, and be able to relate different topics using various and indicated linguistic tools.

Preparation for CAE

A preparatory course for this exam is often essential to refresh and consolidate your current level and to learn and get used to the particular requirements of this exam. A professional preparatory course will help you to better identify the objectives and the various “obstacles” proposed by this exam.

There are several options available:

• Generally you need 8 to 12 weeks to have a complete and effective preparation
• Short-term courses (during the summer period) of 4 weeks are also available, suitable for participants above the average level.
• Courses “at the teacher’s home” offer an intensive “tailor made” preparation

The 5 tests of the CAE are:

1. Written comprehension (First test) 1 hour 15 minutes
   This test measures your ability to read and understand texts, newspapers, magazines etc. The expectations are that you are able to demonstrate understanding of the content, of the details and to “subtract” the meaning.
2. Written production (Test two) 2 hours
   This test assesses your ability to compile different types of text such as an article, a letter, a summary, a critique or a theme that cover a range of topics. Each of your texts must contain around 250 words.
3. “Use of English” 1 hour 30 minutes
   Grammar and vocabulary exam. You will be evaluated on your syntactical skills in English through the texts to be completed, error corrections, multiple-choice questionnaires and conversions of words and sentences.
4. Oral comprehension (Test four) 45 minutes
   This test assesses your ability to understand conversations in spoken English, and to extract the content in detail. In addition, you will have to analyze the situation and show that you clearly understand the speaker’s opinion.
5. Oral production (Test five) 15 minutes
   The oral production test assesses your ability to share a conversation in English by covering a series of different contexts. There will be an interview, a discussion, a test in collaboration with the other student and prolonged individual word shifts. During the test you will be shown photographs and drawings to encourage communication between the candidates.

Official EWC recognition

Upon passing the exam, you will be sent the certificate, issued by the ESOL exam center of the University of Cambridge.
The CAE is recognized world-wide as a certificate that attests to the understanding of English at lower advanced level, reliable and official, for thousands of companies and institutes of Great Britain.
The list of institutions that recognize the EWC is accessible on:

www.CambridgeESOL.org/recognition

The EWC will allow you to “focus” more easily on the higher level exam, the CPE.

More information

http://www.cambridge-efl.org/

CPE: (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

The CPE known as “proficiency” is an advanced advanced level examination (C2, of the common European framework of reference for languages), which requires excellent knowledge of English as well as culture. Certifies a mastery of the English language close to or similar to the mother tongue.

This exam is also indispensable for demonstrating one’s ability to teach English as a foreign language.

To whom can the CPE be useful?

The CPE is for that candidate who already has a level of excellence in the English language that aspires to pursue a career in an English-speaking country, seeking an important position in an international company or starting higher education abroad.

Required level

Step after the EWC.
If your aspiration is to take the exam of the CPE, your level should allow you to:

• Be able to understand everything you read or listen to;
• Fluently talk about all the themes, even the most complex ones, using an extended vocabulary and an almost perfect grammar;
• Being able to summarize the foundation and logic of a topic;
• Have numerous cultural and historical knowledge and have acquired a certain personal maturity.

CPE preparation

A preparatory course is necessary and is strongly recommended in order to consolidate your current language level and above all to adapt it to the particular requirements of this challenging exam.
There are several options available:

• Generally you need 8 to 12 weeks to have a complete and effective preparation
• Short-term courses (during the summer period) of 4 weeks are also available, suitable for participants above the average level.
• Courses “at the teacher’s home” offer an intensive “tailor made” preparation, ideal for candidates who do not have a lot of time or who prefer to be constantly monitored.

The 5 tests of the CPE

1. Written comprehension (First test) 1 hour 30 minutes
   You will have to demonstrate to read and understand texts extracted from books, magazines or newspapers from a wide range of sources. You will be asked to understand the meaning of English by including all the texts, the paragraphs, the expressions and the single words contained in them, the structure, the ideas as well as the implicit questions of the texts.
2. Written production (Second test) 2 hours
   The written test evaluates your abilities to write various texts aimed at a specific category that cover a wide range of topics taken from articles, letters, summaries or criticisms. Each of your answers must contain about 300 – 350 words.
3. “English in Use” (third test) 1 hour and 30 minutes
   In this test you must demonstrate knowledge and mastery of grammar and your vocabulary. You will have to complete incomplete sentences / texts, multiple-choice questionnaires and comprehension questions.
4. Oral comprehension (Fourth test) 40 minutes
   You will be required to orally understand texts from a variety of text types including radio broadcasts, advertisements, lectures and conversations, and you will be able to extract key points as well as details. In addition, you will have to analyze and clearly understand the opinion of the interlocutors.
5. Oral expression (Fifth test) 19 minutes
   This test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English with another candidate and sometimes in groups of three, in the presence of examiners. In general, you will need to be able to present yourself, ask the second candidate questions, then interact with the examiners about different photos and images, and finally solve a problem related to a universal theme.

Official recognition of the CPE

Upon passing the exam, you will receive a certificate, issued by the ESOL examination center of Cambridge University.
The CPE is recognized world-wide as a certificate of understanding of English at advanced, reliable and official level, for thousands of companies and schools.
The list of institutions that recognize the EWC is available at:

www.CambridgeESOL.org/recognition

CPE is an important goal on a personal, professional and university level that allows you to teach English as a foreign language.

More information

http://www.cambridge-efl.org/

BEC: (Business English Certificate)

Cambridge offers three exams (three levels) – BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage, BEC Higher – which attest to the knowledge of the English language in the context of the world of work. The BEC exams are a trump card for adults who wish to grow in their current commercial profession or who would like to make a career.

BEC – Business English Certificates

The Cambridge BEC – Business English Certificates – are a valid support to succeed in the professional field. Recognized internationally, they attest that those who have achieved them are in possession of a good level of knowledge of the English language even in a professional context.

The BEC Preliminary corresponds to level B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for languages, the BEC Vantage at level B2 and the BEC Higher at level C1.

Who is the Business English Certificate for?

These exams are aimed at candidates over the age of 16 who are interested in improving their working position in business and commerce in a professional environment. These exams attest to the knowledge of an appropriate language in English and thus consolidate a great advantage on the labor market if you plan to work for an international company or abroad.

The various tests of the BEC

1. BEC Preliminary
   Understanding and written production: 1 hour and 30 minutes
   Oral comprehension: about 40 minutes
   Oral expression: about 12 minutes for a couple of candidates
2. BEC Vantage
   Written comprehension: 1 hour
   Written expression: 45 minutes
   Understanding oral: about 40 minutes
   Oral expression: about 14 minutes for a couple of candidates
3. BEC Higher
   Written comprehension: 1 hour
   Written expression: 1 hour and 10 minutes
   Oral comprehension: about 40 minutes
   Oral expression: about 16 minutes for a couple of candidates

Official recognition of the BEC

The BEC has been designed so that employers can have a fair, impartial and professional assessment of the knowledge of their future employees. With the three levels of the BEC, companies can have “help” in selecting from candidates who have the appropriate language skills to be able to find themselves at ease in their future workplace. For example, the BEC Higher is often required when one is interested in conducting an MBA (Master of Business Administration). The level is the same as in the EWC but it is more appropriate for those candidates who aim to study economics.

IELTS: (International English Language Testing System)

If you plan to attend a university course in Great Britain, the United States, Australia, Canada or New Zealand, IELTS will let you know your level of English and facilitate your enrollment in the same. The scale goes up to 9 points, and the average is between 5 and 7 points and the relative exams are between levels B1 and C2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

CEFR levels	A1	A2	B1	B2	C1	C2
IELTS rating	(2.5-3.5)	3.5-4.5	4.5-5.5	5.5–6.5	6.5-7.5	7.5-9.0
CESOL *	–	KET	PET	FCE	CAE	CPE

 

The 2 versions of the IELTS

• Academic version: evaluates the aptitude of the candidate to study in an English-speaking university;
• General version: assess the candidate’s aptitude and ideal if you plan to emigrate or undertake non-university training or to work abroad.

For more information, visit the IELTS website: http://www.ielts.org/

IELTS includes 4 parts:

1. Oral comprehension
   The oral comprehension test lasts 40 minutes and has 40 questions. You will hear an audio recording once and respond to issues related to society in the first two parts, and the last two parts are based on education or training issues.
2. Written comprehension
   The written comprehension test lasts 60 minutes and has 40 questions. The test is divided into 3 parts of increasing difficulty. The texts are extrapolated from newspapers, books and magazines, the number of words varies between 2000 and 2750.
3. Written expression
   The written expression test lasts 60 minutes. You will have to write two texts on two given topics, of which the first must be a minimum of 150 words (suggested average time 20 minutes) and the second must be a minimum of 250 words (suggested average time 40 minutes).
4. Oral production
   The oral production test lasts 15 minutes. The test consists of an individual interview with a Cambridge examiner.

BULATS (Business Language testing Service)

Designed to assess the linguistic level of professionals and students who follow a business English course, BULATS is recognized by an increasing number of companies / entrepreneurs worldwide. It offers great flexibility (free exam dates, various levels) and is not too expensive.

Who can the BULATS (Business Language Testing Service) be useful for?

BULATS is recommended for people who use English daily in a professional and business environment and to all those who choose to continue their career abroad. It is also possible to certify the language level achieved even after a language study stay or a language course.

Required level

For this Cambridge exam no preliminary level is required even if it is recommended to have at least level B1 when enrolling.

Preparation for BULATS (Business Language Testing Service)

It is preferable to follow a BULATS preparation course if you wish to limit the chances of not getting a good result.

The 3 tests of BULATS (Business Language Testing Service)?

The BULATS consists of three tests (written and oral comprehension, written expression and oral expression) which can be taken separately or together, this according to your needs and objectives:

1. Written and oral comprehension – 1 hour
   Starting from a set of texts and audio excerpts related to the professional world, the exam first certifies the written comprehension of the candidates, then their oral comprehension.
   This test consists of a multiple choice question and has the great advantage of being able to adapt the questions to the candidate’s level, proposing more or less difficult questions depending on his preparation.
2. Written expression (45 minutes)
   The written expression examines the candidate’s ability to write a short letter or short message in correct English respecting precise deliveries. It takes place separately and can be passed alone or in addition to other BULATS tests.
3. Oral expression (12 minutes)
   This exam assesses the ability to express oneself in English with fluidity and accuracy in the professional sphere. This test can also be supported individually or together with the other tests listed above.
   The first part requires you to talk about yourself, while the second part requires you to present a topic in a short time.
   Finally, they will invite you to express yourself in a simulation of a real situation that will be followed by a discussion on the topic in question.

Official recognition of BULATS

BULATS is internationally recognized, including higher education institutions, governmental organizations, immigration services and professional categories from around the world.
See the link to view the institutions that recognize the BULATS:

www.CambridgeESOL.org/recognition.

American exams

TOEFL and TOEIC are the two main exams developed in the United States, today recognized as world-wide.
TOEFL: Test of Englsh as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL measures English language preparations of people who do not speak English as a mother tongue. If you want to access university courses or take jobs in the United States, you will be required to take your TOEFL level.

The TOEFL is divided into three parts and consists of multiple-choice questions.

Required level

Unlike other Cambridge exams, no prerequisite is required for the TOEFL. It is however strongly recommended to wait for a preparatory course (4 to 8 weeks) to get a good score.

TOEFL preparation

The courses available through our partner schools are numerous. Talk to the Prime Courses consultant to identify your goals and the solution that best fits you!

What the TOEFL includes

The test can be computer-based test (C BT) or paper (Paper-based test – PBT). The first lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes, while the second lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes. Both the first and the second assess all aspects of the language within 4 parts.

1. Oral comprehension
   Evaluate your language skills in understanding North American English (expressions, grammar & vocabulary) in everyday life situations.
2. Written comprehension
   This test attests to your language skills in understanding non-specialist texts.
3. Oral expression
   Evaluate your language skills in conversing in English.
4. Written expression

This test evaluates your language skills in writing a text on a specific topic, in which you are required to present and motivate the ideas expressed.

TOEIC: (Test of English in International Communications)

Considered today as the international method for assessing English skills in commerce and communication, the TOEIC is divided into two parts in the form of multiple-choice questions that certify understanding and expression oral and written candidates. This exam is increasingly used by companies and high schools for the selection of their potential candidates.

Required level

Unlike other Cambridge exams, no prerequisite is required for the TOEIC. It is however strongly recommended to wait for a preparatory course (4 to 8 weeks) in order to get a good score.

Preparation for the TOEIC

There are several choices in our partner schools. Our consultants allow you to find the solution best suited to your starting level and the goal (score) you wish to obtain.

The 2 TOEIC tests

This test has a duration of 2 hours and consists of 200 questions of written comprehension (100 questions in 75 minutes) and oral (100 questions in 45 minutes) with multiple choice. The questions are based on authentic international professional situations. The score that will be given varies from 5 to 495 points both for written and oral comprehension. The final score may therefore be between 10 and 990 points.
Together with the score, you will be given a reading table to interpret the score received and to be able to identify the exercises needed to correct the areas that need improvement.

Trinity

Trinity College London is a British Examinations Board, sponsored by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.

Trinity is a charity, and issues certifications and recognized qualifications for English, music and drama.

Trinity has been active for over 130 years and currently operates in over 60 countries worldwide.

What sets us apart is our attention to every single candidate.

Our exams and qualifications are designed to help students progress; to evaluate success at each stage of their development, and at all levels of competence, on a journey towards the realization of their individual talents and abilities.

Trinity evaluates abilities using evidence from the real world, promoting effective teaching and learning.

Trinity offers a teacher support program that reflects flexible teaching and learning styles.

The quality of our exams and an accessible style give Trinity College London a human approach, designed to encourage and motivate all students to achieve their personal, vocational and professional goals.

Accreditation & Recognition

Trinity College London is recognized as a certifying body by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations ( Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation – Ofqual ).

The Trinity qualifications regulated by the Ofqual are now included in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) .

Trinity ESOL qualifications are approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to be used where required by the UK Immigration Law.

The list of exams recognized by the UKBA are available on the British Council website in Italy .

All Trinity English language exams are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) .

Trinity is a full member of the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe).

The Q-Mark has been awarded to the English language certifications GESE, ISE as they comply with all the 17 quality standards of the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe). More details on www.trinitycollege.co.uk .

In Italy

Trinity is accredited as a subject for teacher training by the Italian Ministry of Education (protocol number Decree 2001/01/27 confirmed by the decree 2005/05/07, prot. 1228).

Trinity certifications can be evaluated as educational credits for the State examination according to the current legislation.

English language certifications, mainly ISE certifications, are recognized by many university faculties for admission and university credits.

Trinity is included in the list of certification bodies published by the Italian Ministry of Education on 12/07/2012 (protocol number AOODGAI / 10899).

English Language Examinations and Qualifications

English language Examinations

With Trinity College London you can gain English language certificate to prove your proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
All Trinity language exams form a natural part of any course of English language study, undertaken in a group or individually. Preparation for the examination supports the study program chosen by the teacher and learner, rather than interfering with it.
There are three main suites of English Language examinations.

GESE

The Graded Examinations in Spoken English test candidates’ ability in Listening and Speaking.
There are 12 grades in all from pre A1 to C2 of the CEFR.
The exams encourage students to develop and progress by acknowledging each step forward; at every stage of the student

ISE

Trinity’s Integrated Skills in English examinations assess Speaking, Writing, Listening and Reading.
The examination is available at 5 levels, from A2 to C2 of the CEFR.

SEW

The Spoken for Work is a unique assessment of Speaking and Listening including a telephone task.
The examinations are available at four levels starting at B1 of the CEFR.

TESOL qualifications for teachers

Besides English Language Examinations, Trinity is a leading provider of qualifications for teachers in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). We have been validating courses and awarding qualifications for over 30 years, and we are among the most widely recognized and respected in the industry.
To find more about TESOL please visit www.trinitycollege.com