IELTS is the most popular examination at St. Clare’s. The ‘International English Language Testing System’ measures your ability to communicate in English across the four language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing. The same IELTS exam is taken by students at all levels and results range from 1.0 (beginner level) to 9.0 (native speaker level). It is a test of academic English and is designed for those who need English for further study or work: for example, if you want to study at a university in the UK or USA you normally need a score of 6.5 or higher.
The IELTS test is
- accepted in more than 120 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
- the single most important requirement for non-native speakers who wish to study at university in the UK
- easy to arrange: it’s available in Oxford every month and results are ready in two weeks.
Cambridge examinations are highly regarded too. There are different exams for students at different levels. At St. Clare’s we successfully prepare students for the following:
- CPE (Cambridge Proficiency in English) CEF C2 very advanced level
- CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) CEF C1 advanced level
- FCE (First Certificate in English) CEF B2 upper intermediate level
- PET (Preliminary English Test) CEF B1 intermediate level
Success at IELTS and Cambridge exams
During your classes you practise the skills required for success at IELTS and Cambridge exams:
- Examination strategies
- Speaking and listening practice tasks
- Reading and writing skills development
- Practice tests ‘against the clock’
- Top tips from the examiners