Making the right choice of the correct exam for your needs is sometimes difficult. In the following section we give you guidance on choosing the right examination. It is suggested that you look at the steps carefully in order to make the best decision.

Please note that the steps given below and information provided are for guidance only and ultimately it is the candidate who needs to make the right decision.

Step 1. What is your language level?

To be able to make the right choice a good starting point is to find out your approximate level of English.  The majority of Examinations offered by the British Council are set at different levels of English.

British Council LearnEnglish Test your Level

This useful tool helps you to find your general level in a fun and informal way. The test will help you understand your general level from Beginner to Upper Intermediate.

DIALANG is a free downloadable self-assessment tool designed to indicate  your level to the Common European Framework and is endorsed by the Council of Europe.

The Common European Framework (CEF) is used world-wide to provide information on levels competency in European languages.  You can refer to the Global Scale and Self-assessment checklists to see what you can do in English and help this guide you to choose the right exam (all the Exams the British Council offers are linked to the CEF).
Council of Europe/Common European Framework Global Scale & Self-Assessment (PDF Document 130 KB)

Step 2. What are your needs?

After thinking about your level of English it is then important to think about why you need to take an English exam. You should think about the following areas:

Do you need to take an exam to

			graduate from a school or university or to fulfill an institutional requirement?
			fulfill a requirement from you employer?
			continue in your professional development?
			study, emigrate or work abroad?
			to just find out your level?

Even if it is for another reason it is important to think where you are with your English and why you want or need to take an exam.

Step 3. Matching your level and needs to an examination offered by the British Council

Now that you have thought about your current level and needs we have provided an easy-to-consult chart with all of the examining options available at the British Council Colombia. All you need to do is to match your level and needs and click on the specific Exam name in the document to access further information.

Exams Overview  (PDF Document 167 KB)

Preparing well for taking an examination is extremely important if you want to get the score you need.  One of the first starting points is to work on improving general test taking techniques.  Below you will find some useful links to help you build and improve these skills:

BBC Learning English Exams Skills pages (in English only)

These pages offer easy to follow instructions on improving general skills in test taking as well as focussing on specific skills areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

BBC Learning English Exam Study Skills

A more general approach to exam preparation is offered on these pages, including planning your study programme for an exam, study skills tips and hints as well as mentally preparing yourself for the examination.

Still want to find out more? Don’t forget that, in many cases, the best source of knowledge about preparing for your exams are your own teachers or the institute where you are studying English.

Furthermore at the British Council we offer IELTS exam preparation courses and a Learning Centre with plenty of exams resources to help you get the best score.

Although we all have different ways of preparing for an examination, the following steps may help you focus your specific study:

Step 1: Get to know the exam

It is very important that when you are preparing for a specific examination  the first step you should take is to understand the content and what is expected of you.  In our section of downloads you will find all Cambridge ESOL and IELTS Information for candidates brochures.

Step 2: Prepare online or with your institution

Once you have a better idea about the test content you will need to begin preparing.  If you are studying at a school, university of language institute, ask them if they offer test preparation.  If this is not possible or you want to study further, the following website links may help you begin:

• ESOL Candidate Support
  The Cambridge ESOL candidate support website, for students who are preparing to take our exams.
• Flo-Joe
  The place for Cambridge ESOL test (FCE, CAE, CPE)preparation.
• Longman Exams
  Longman Exams practice with lots of extra test preparation material.
• English One-Line
  A range of tips and free practice papers for the Cambridge ESOL main Suite examinations (KET, PET, FCE, CAE and CPE).

Step 3: Take a practice test

During or after preparation for the exam it is worth taking a practice test before you do the real thing!  There are a number of ways you can do this:

Access online tests - there are many free or paid online tests available, however you need to be careful what test site you use as many do not necessarily reflect the true level or content of an exam.

Join our  Learning Centre - in our Learning Centrewe have hundreds of examples of practice tests that you can use to prepare for all exams.

Buy practice materials - using this list from Cambridge ESOL you can find out who publishes books for the exam you are taking.

Here you can download the Cambridge ESOL and IELTS information for candidates brochures:

Young Learners

• Young Learners Starters Information for Candidates and Parents (1.16 MB)
• Young Learners Movers Information for Candidates and Parents (2.69 MB)
• Young Learners Flyers Information for Candidates and Parents (1.62 MB)
  

Main Suite

• KET Information for Candidates (764 KB)
• KET for Schools Information for Candidates (1.34 MB)
• PET Information for Candidates (776 KB)
• PET for Schools Information for Candidates (1.54 MB)
• FCE Information for Candidates (701KB)
• CAE Information for Candidates (942 KB)
• CPE Information for Candidates (2.17 MB)
• TKT Information for Candidates (408 KB)

World of Work

• BEC Information for Candidates
• Preliminary (678 KB)
• Vantage (549 KB)
• Higher (575 KB)
• ICFE Information for Candidates (978 KB)
• ILEC Information for Candidates (1.85 MB)
• BULATS Information for Candidates (340 KB)

IELTS

• IELTS Information for Candidates (450 KB)

Cambridge ESOL Examinations

Cambridge ESOL Exams are the world's leading range of certificates for learners of English. Each year they are taken by over 3 million people, in 130 countries. They can help you gain entrance to a university or college, improve your job prospects and measure your progress in English.

The Cambridge ESOL examinations are recognised by thousands of employers, universities and colleges, professional bodies and ministry and government organisations throughout the world.

Recognition in Colombia

In Colombia over 100 bilingual, international and non-bilingual schools use our examinations.  Universities and companies also trust the examinations offered by the British Council to give accurate evidence of a candidate’s language ability at different levels. The following universities and companies are some of the institutions who use our examinations.

• Colombian University Recognition - Cambridge ESOL/IELTS (49KB)
• Schools and Institution Recognition and Use - Cambridge ESOL/IELTS (16.7KB)

For further information on national and global recognition of Cambridge ESOL examinations please consult the Cambridge ESOL Recognition index.