Exams

Englishour offers a range of exams to students. We can help you to decide which exam might be the best option for you. For example, you may be interested in going to university or applying for a visa to live and work in a foreign country. Different exams can fulfill different needs. Below is a summary of the exams we have on offer:

TOEIC exam

Introduced in 2006, the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is a fantastic exam designed to test the communication ability of learners based on the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. The questions asked in the TOEIC test the everyday communication skills needed to work in an international working environment. There are two tests, Listening and Reading or Speaking and Writing. These two tests can be done separately or together. On the two tests, the candidate scores between 10 and 990 points and achieves a ‘colour’ grading:

Orange – 10 – 219
Brown – 220 – 469
Green – 470 – 729
Blue – 730 – 859
Gold – 860 – 990

Englishour can prepare students for one or both of these tests. We can provide learners with the key skills needed to achieve the level required and reach their maximum potential.

Cambridge Suite

PET exam

The Cambridge Preliminary English Test, or PET for short, is a qualification awarded by Cambridge ESOL. The level of PET is described as Pre-Intermediate and is at B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This exam shows that you can communicate in English in practical, everyday situations. It will give you a good foundation if you want to study for a professional English qualification. The test has three sections: Reading and writing are taken together (90 minutes), Listening (30 minutes) and Speaking (an interview, 10 minutes). Scores on the PET Exam today range from 120 to 170. A score of 140 or above is considered a “pass” and students with that score will receive the PET Exam certificate, which corresponds to a level B1 in English on the CEFR. Students scoring 160 or above on the PET Exam will receive a Cambridge Preliminary English Test certificate for level B2.

FCE exam

B2 First, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE), is the logical step in your language learning journey between B1 Preliminary and C1 Advanced. An Upper Intermediate-level qualification proves you have the language skills to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or study on courses taught in English. B2 First is a test of all areas of language ability, consisting of four sections: Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes), Writing (1 hour 20 minutes), Listening (40 minutes) and Speaking ( about 15 minutes per pair of candidates). Three different grades are possible (A, B or C). FCE A grade pass is accepted for entry to some universities.

IELTS

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries. There are two types of IELTS: Academic and General Training. – The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training. – The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts. The test consists in four sections: Reading (60 minutes). Listening (40 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11-14 minutes). Listening and Speaking are the same for both types, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test you take. You get a score between 1 and 9. Half scores such as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.

C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), is the in-depth, high-level qualification that shows you have the language skills that employers and universities are looking for. Passing this test attests that you can communicate with confidence in English for work and study purposes. The test is in four parts and covers all language skill areas: Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes), Writing (1 hour 30 minutes), Listening (40 minutes) and Speaking (15 minutes per candidate). As in the FCE exam, the results are expressed in grades: A (C2), B (C1) or C (C1). You will also receive a Statement of Results. If your performance ranges between CEFR Levels B2 and C2, you will also receive a certificate.

TIE

The Test of Interactive English (TIE) is an international EFL exam developed in Ireland by a group of Irish English language professionals. It can be taken by learners at any level, by junior and adult students on either short or long courses in Ireland as well as abroad. TIE is a learner-centred exam designed to recognise and accommodate the needs and interests of each learner whatever their level of English, age, cultural or educational background. The test is task-based with the content chosen by each individual learner and can therefore be used to assess learners with all kinds of needs and motivations (general purposes, professional or academic purposes, English as a second language). The test consists of two units:

The Spoken TIE Exam, assessing listening and speaking skills.
The Written TIE Exam, assessing reading and writing skills.

In preparation for the examination, at all levels, Candidates are required to:

carry out an investigation/mini project on a topic of personal interest through reading and/ or listening to various sources to gather information in order to be able to speak about it
read a book/graded reader in English in order to be able to speak or write about it
follow a news story through reading and/or listening to various sources to gather information in order to be able to speak or write about it.

For the Spoken (Listening & Speaking) exam, candidates are required to keep a logbook, which they must bring with them to the test. This is a folder in which candidates record the information about the tasks they are required to prepare. Candidates must be prepared to present and discuss all three tasks as they do NOT choose to speak about the book or the news story. It is the examiner who lets the candidates know which task they will present during the Spoken (Listening & Speaking) exam. Successful Candidates are awarded the qualification at the level they have achieved. Candidates who do not achieve the lowest level of attainment (i.e., B2) in the examination will be assessed at B1 level (Fallback assessment) and can therefore be eligible to be awarded a B1 level certificate. Candidates not achieving the B1 level will not be awarded a certification.

Oral exam

1. Introductions: in this part of the exam, you will need to be able to speak about yourself. Prepare to talk about your experiences in Ireland, job/studies, our family and other familiar topics. 2. Investigation: in this part of the exam, you will need to be able to speak by yourself, for a long-turn on a topic that you have prepared. Evidence of preparation will need to be presented to the examiner. You will do this by showing the examiner your logbook. 3. a) News story: you will present and discuss a news story that you have been following. OR b) Book: you will present and discuss a book that you have read. 4. Decision-making task: you and one or more other candidates will discuss a task and then make a decision.

Written exam

Task One: you will be asked to write an essay about the option which you did not speak about in your oral exam: A) Book or B) News Story Task Two: You will be asked to write to an “authentic task”: writing an article to give information, a formal/informal letter/email, a report or a review. If you have any questions about any of the exams mentioned above, you can contact our Academic Director, Director of Studies or Exam co-ordinator in Englishour and they will be very happy to advise you.