What English exams should I take if I want to study abroad?
Studying abroad generally implies mastering the language of your host country or of the course you wish to follow.
Pour de nombreux cours d’anglais, vous devrez passer un test d’anglais tel que leTOEFL or IELTS.
For the United States and some European programs (such as Bocconi), you will also need to take a standardized test such as the SAT ou ACT.
Do I still need to take an English test?
While all English-speaking universities and degree courses open their doors to foreign students, they require them to prove their ability to follow a university course entirely in English. You’ll need to pass an English language exam to prove your level.
Certain exemptions may be granted to students who have received an international diploma, such as international baccalaureate (IB), the International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) or those who have spent more than 50% of their schooling in English. What’s more, in certain curricula and universities in the UK, a baccalaureate mark in English above 13 or 14/20 may be sufficient (at King’s College London, UCL, Manchester or Warwick, for example).
However, for most courses, we recommend that you take an official English exam. The most common exams are IELTS (academic version), TOEFL iBT and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Proficiency English (CPE), but there are also others, such as the Pearson Test of English (PTE) and even the Duolingo English Test.
It’s best to check the websites of the universities and courses you wish to study at to find out which test to take, but generally speaking IELTS or TOEFL are systematically recognized.
What are the different recognized tests?
IELTS, TOEFL or C2 Proficiency?
The most common exam for studying in the UK is IELTS Academic. The minimum score required is generally around 6.5 or 7 out of a maximum of 9, which corresponds to a good or very good command of the language (B2-C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), both written and spoken.
In addition, universities will generally require a minimum score in each of the test’s four sub-tests (listening, speaking, reading, writing).
Vous trouverez ci-dessous un tableau comparatif de l’IELTS avec trois autres examens d’anglais : le TOEFL et le C1 Advanced (CAE) ; C2 Proficiency (CPE).
| Examination name | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | C1 Advanced ;C2 Proficiency |
| Nom complet | International English Language Testing System | Test of English as a Foreign Language | Cambridge Advanced ;Cambridge Proficiency |
| Countries where it is most widely used | Europe /United Kingdom | North America | Europe /United Kingdom |
| Valid for | 2 years | 2 years | *No expiry date (universities will usually ask for a fairly recent score) |
| Designed for | All students | All students | More advanced English students (level C1-C2) |
| Format | 4 distinct parts:- oral (speaking) ;- listening (listening) ;- lecture (reading) ;- écriture (writing).no grammar exercises.audio accent more British/Australian. | 4 parts with parts that mix speaking with listening and reading (integrated speaking, integrated writing) :oral (speaking);ecoute (listening);lecture (reading);écriture (writing). More North American audio accent. | 4 distinct parts :oral (speaking) ;écoute (listening) ;écriture (writing) ;lecture et grammar (reading and use of English).Audio accent more British/Australian. |
| On paper or computer | On paper or computer; the speaking part is in person. | *On computer (or paper when computers are not available); QWERTY keyboard; speaking part on a computer. | On paper or computer. |
| Number of versions | The Academic version is designed for university use. | 1 | 1 |
| Test duration | Approx. 2 h 45; with a break before the speaking part. | Approx. 3 hours; with a 10-minute break; reading and listening times may vary. | Approx. 4 hours |
| Session frequency | Several times a month. | 50 times a year. | Once a month. |
| Note scale | 1 to 9 (4 tests scored separately on a scale of 1 to 9; the final score is an average). | 0 to 120 (4 separate test scores on a 0-30 scale). | Grade of A or B for C1 Advanced; A, B, C for C2 Proficiency. |
IELTS for your studies in Europe, TOEFL for North America?
As you will have noticed from the table, IELTS is generally offered in paper format, although computer-based versions are becoming more widespread. What’s more, you’ll also need to take the oral part (speaking) of the test in front of a real examiner – and not in front of a computer, as is the case for TOEFL, where your oral answers will be recorded.
You may also be relieved to know that IELTS will not directly test your grammar,even if grammar and spelling are part of the evaluation criteria in each section of the test, as well as the richness of your vocabulary, the quality of your transitions and the coherence and originality of your words, and for the oral part, your pronunciation. Finally, IELTS not only tests candidates from levels C1 and C2, as is the case for the other two Cambridge tests (advanced et proficiency).
Although a C1 level is often required by foreign universities in their admission offer, it is not impossible to be admitted with a lower score. What’s more, if you wish to apply to a foundation year, you can also be admitted with a score of 5 to 5.5. Yet another reason to choose IELTS for your studies in the UK!
Where and when to take these exams?
Rest assured, you don’t have to travel to the U.S. or England to take a standardized English test. In fact, examination sessions are organized all over the world. Simply visit the websites of these organizations to find the exam center nearest you. TOEFL and IELTS exam sessions are relatively frequent (several times a month in France). As for the ACT and SAT, several dates are scheduled each year for French students.
Our advice : don’t wait until the last minute to take an English test. It’s not uncommon to have to retake the test several times before achieving the score required by the university you wish to attend.
You’ll usually have to wait a fortnight for your results, so plan to take the test no later than 15 days before the deadline for submitting your application.
In the UK, you’ll generally have until the end of July of your final year to submit your results to the university you wish to attend. In the USA, on the other hand, universities usually require English test results when you submit your application on Common App. (usually before the 1st November for early decision/early action and before January 1st for regular decision). For Canada, you generally have until March 15 of your senior year to send them.
To choose between IELTS and TOEFL, we recommend you take a complete mock test of both to identify which exam is best suited to your profile and strengths!
Would you like to take the IELTS or TOEFL exams to gain admission to a foreign university? Have a look at our IELTS preparation packages and for the TOEFL and Contact us to discuss your project together!