Tag Archives: exams
Cambridge Proficiency examination dates for 2012
Take a look at the CPE exam dates for 2012. Remember to check with your exam centre for the days that they offer.
Saturday 10th March
Speaking exam window – 24th February to 11th March
Saturday 12th May
Speaking exam window – 4th to the 13th May
Thursday 14th of June
Speaking exam window – 25th May to 17th June
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IELTS Listening Test Structure
The IELTS listening paper comprises four sections. Below is a guide to the format of each one:
Section 1
- Text type:General conversation
- Number of people speaking:2
- Duration:5 mins approx
- Number of questions: 10
- Register:Informal
- Examples scenarios: Two young people talking about going to a music festival; a telephone call from a customer to an insurance company to make a claim; a man calling an estate agent to enquire about property in the area.
Cambridge Advanced Exam Dates 2012
Below are the CAE exam dates for 2012. Check with your exam centre to find out which dates they offer.
January
Paper-based – 14th
Computer-based – 21st
February
Paper-based – 11th
Computer-based – 16th
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Cambridge First Certificate Exam Dates
Below are the FCE exam dates for 2012. Check with your exam centre to find out which dates they offer.
January (computer-based exams) (NEW)
Saturday 21 January
Paper 1 (Reading)
Paper 2 (Writing)
Paper 3 (Use of English)
Paper 4 (Listening) Continue reading
Spoken English for Work Exam (SEW)
The Trinity College of London has been offering English Langage qualifications for over 70 years and offers unique a speaking focused way of testing your level of English.
The SEW exams aim to prepare you for the real world of work using tasks in telephone communication and interactive activities relevant to your profession. The exam will test you on your English language knowledge in a context relevant to you.
Common European Framework
If you would like to do a free level test, please contact us and we can arrange it.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a guide used to measure a person’s ability in a second language.
More information on the CEFR in a variety of languages can be found here.
The IELTS reading paper
The reading test is one of the 4 papers that you will take during the IELTS exam. You will be required to read between 1500 and 2500 words in a fairly short period of time in order to test you on a variety of skills. In both the Academic and the General Training papers, you are given 60 minutes to answer a total of 40 questions. The difficulty of the texts increases as you progress through the paper. If you know which specific reading skills are being tested in each set of questions, then you will be better prepared for the exam.
In the academic reading test you will read texts from journals, magazines and newspapers that have been written for a non-specialist audience. Different styles of writing that may appear in the texts are narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. The texts may also include diagrams, graphs or illustrations, which you will have to analyse and answer questions about. The exam will definitely include a logical argument text that will discuss two sides of one argument or debate.
Cambridge CPE exam
The Certificate of Proficiency in English is accepted globally by thousands of employers, universities and government agencies as proof of your level of English. Many industrial, administrative and service-based employers accept the CPE and universities recognise that candidates with a Certificate in Proficiency in English have a fluency and a sophistication at a level approaching that of a native speaker.
An advantage to the CPE is that once you have the qualification it does not expire, unlike the IELTS exam which is only valid for 2 years. The CPE has life-long validity.
IELTS exam
“What is the best English exam to take?” is a question we at Desktop English hear all the time. The answer is not always simple. However, if your aim is to study or work in an English language speaking country, then the answer is most probably IELTS.
IELTS is recognised by thousands of universities, immigration authorities and professional organisations in many countries including Canada, Austrailia, the USA, New Zealand and the UK.
IELTS exam structure
All exam candidates take the same test which includes a listening, a reading, a writing and a speaking module. You will be preparing for either the ‘Academic’ module or the ‘General Training’ module depending on your reasons for taking the IELTS exam. The ‘Academic’ module involves studying from newspapers, books and magazines and is suitable for candidates who would like to study or work in an academic environment. The ‘General Training’ module includes tasks based around the workplace and social situations and is recommended for candidates wishing to work in or emigrate to an English language speaking country.
Cambridge CAE exam
The Certificate in Advanced English is accepted globally by thousands of employers, universities and government agencies as proof of your level of English. Many industrial, administrative and service-based employers accept the CAE and universities recognise that candidates with a Certificate in Advanced English have the necessary language skills to study at degree level in English.
One advantage to the CAE is that once you have the qualification it does not expire, unlike the IELTS exam which is only valid for 2 years. The CAE has life-long validity.
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