You can take either IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or one of the Cambridge ESOL exams.

IELTS is assessed on a nine-band scale and reports scores both overall and by individual skill. It is commonly used for study or work abroad and for immigration purposes (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). In Croatia it is used instead of the entrance exam for the study of English on the Faculty in Split and as proof of language competence for Court Interpreters.
More on IELTS

Cambridge ESOL exams
- General English – “Main Suite Exams”:
KET - Key English Test (about 180-200 hrs of study) – Council of Europe CEF Level A2
PET - Preliminary English Test (about 380 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level B1
FCE - First Certificate in English (about 500-600 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level B2
CAE - Certificate in Advanced English (about 750-800 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level C1
CPE- Certificate of Proficiency in English (950-1050 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level C2
More about Main Suite exams

- Business English Certificates:
BEC Preliminary (about 380 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level B1
BEC Vantage (about 500-600 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level B2
BEC Higher (about 750-800 hrs of study) - Council of Europe CEF Level C1
More about BEC exams

Legal English Certificate
ILEC – International Legal English Certificate – on the basis of candidates’ performance either a ouncil of Europe CEF Level B2 or C1 certificate is awarded
More about ILEC exam

The best way to find out is to take a Placement test. It is computer-based and free of charge. You just have to book your time by contacting Examinations Department: exams@britishcouncil.hr or tel. +385 (0)1 4899 508.

You can also visit Cambridge ESOL web pages, download the Handbook and Sample Papers, try doing the test, check your success and make a judgement based on that.

British Council Croatia does not run language courses, but we organise orientation workshops for candidates for IELTS, FCE, CAE and CPE. IELTS workshops are held every month, FCE, CAE and CPE workshops are held approximately 1 month prior to examination session. To participate you have to pay the fee and register by e-mail or phone: exams@britishcouncil.hr, +385 (0)1 4899 508.

You can attend a preparatory course in one of the language schools – the non-exhaustive list of which can be found here.
Our library is well stocked with various preparation materials:
- course book packs with CDs
- self-access study materials
- preparation software on public access computers

You can also purchase Past Papers sets with CD-ROMs for IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE and BEC exams.
Find out more here.

On line Cambridge ESOL Exam resources can be found here

Cambridge ESOL dates - click here.
IELTS dates - click here.

There are two exams that are recognised as requirements for Court Interpreter Licence by the Ministry of Justice: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – Academic version - with a minimum overall band score of 7.5 and CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English).

Both exams are at Council of Europe level C2. These two exams are similar because they test all four levels of linguistic competence (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

IELTS is held once a month, you need to register five weeks in advance and the results arrive two weeks after the exam. Test results are recommended as valid for two years.

CPE can be taken twice a year, in June and in December (registration periods are in March and October respectively) and the results are received two months after the exam. The certificate does not expire.

The exams administered by the British Council Croatia certify only your language competence. If you would like to obtain a Court Interpreter Licence we recommend you first contact the Ministry of Justice and/or Court Interpreters and Translators Association.

IELTS is a test designed to assess whether candidates are ready to study or train in the medium of English. It is recognised as a language requirement for entry to all courses at an undergraduate and postgraduate level in the UK and in over 900 institutions in the United States. Choose the Academic Reading and Writing module if you are planning to undertake academic study in a higher education institution. You will be tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking whichever module you decide to take.

Two more exams could possibly be recognised by some universities and schools. Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) indicates a high level of competence in English for learners who are reaching a standard of English that is adequate for most purposes, including business and study. It is recognised by the majority of British universities as proof of adequate language skills for courses taught and assessed in English. Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) indicates a level of competence and is recognised by institutions of higher education in many countries, including almost all universities in the United Kingdom. Employers throughout the world also recognise CPE.

If you are going to study we strongly recommend you check with your university which test is required.

IELTS
The IELTS Test report (TRF) gives a brief description of the candidate's level. A copy of TRF is issued exactly two weeks after the test date, and an additional copy can be sent to the institution the candidate applies to. Results are valid for two years.

Cambridge ESOL
Statements of Results are issued about eight to ten weeks after the examination. These results are provisional and are subject to amendment by Cambridge ESOL prior to the issue of certificates.
The candidates will be provided with ID numbers which will enable them to access results as soon as they become available from www.cambridgeESOL-results.org. Only to the candidates who specifically ask so will the Statement of Results be sent by post.
If you are registered individually about a month later you must collect your certificate in person at the British Council office. Only candidates from towns other than Zagreb will receive their certificates by post.
If you are registered through a school, you will receive your results and your certificate at the school.
If you lose your certificate, you may apply through the Local Secretary for a Certified Statement of Results, for which you are expected to pay additional fee.

IELTS is recognised as a language requirement for entry to all courses at an undergraduate and postgraduate level in the UK and in some cases in the United States. It is also a prerequisite when applying for emigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Cambridge ESOL certificates at Council of Europe levels C1 and C2 are recognised by all universities and colleges of higher education in the UK, along with many others in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many European countries.
Employers throughout the world recognise Cambridge ESOL exams as proof of language ability or part of professional development activities. To check which international organisations, companies and universities recognise Cambridge ESOL examinations visit www.cambridgeesol.org/recognition/search.php
The list of organisations and university faculties in Croatia which use Cambridge ESOL exams, either for staff recruitment and/or development, and as proof of language ability as part of the university entrance examination can also be found on here.

The exams administered by the British Council Croatia certify your language competence. None of the exams certify your teaching competence. We administer TKT – teaching knowledge test, but this is not a complete qualification and therefore you will not be able to teach on the basis of just that.

If you would like to obtain a teaching qualification you will have to graduate from one of the Faculties of Philosophy in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka or Zadar or obtain a teaching award from Cambridge ESOL. Find out more here. In any case, it is advisable to check with the Ministry of Education about their requirements.

IELTS: Make sure that you bring your passport or ID card on the day of the exam. Note that the exam starts on the time indicated in the Statement of Registration.
Cambridge ESOL: Bring your ID card or passport and the Statement of Entry on the day of the exam.

IELTS: One copy of TRF is issued to candidates, and a number of additional copies can be sent to the institution(s) the candidate applies to.
Cambridge ESOL: If you lose your certificate, you may apply through your examination centre for a Certified Statement of Results, for which you are expected to pay additional fee.

If you have special needs because of dyslexia, speaking, hearing or visual difficulties, please notify the examination centre upon registration so that we can make special arrangements for you.
Your request must be supported by medical evidence not older than 2 years.

Dates for written parts of the Cambridge ESOL exams - papers 1, 2 & 3 - are set in advance. They are fixed and cannot be changed. The dates for Reading, Writing and Use of English for FCE, CAE and CPE, and for Reading, Writing and Listening for IELTS, KET, PET, BEC and ILEC are set by the University of Cambridge and cannot be changed.
The dates for Listening and Speaking for FCE, CAE, CPE and for Speaking for IELTS, KET, PET, BEC and ILEC are set by the British Council.
It is possible to hold the Listening test on the same date as the written part of the test.
We can accept timely requests for change only for serious and justified reasons provided we have free time slots on other Speaking or Listening Test dates.  Non-Zagreb candidates must pay special attention to this because there are fewer test dates available outside Zagreb due to smaller number of candidates.
If a candidate has problems with the Speaking/Listening dates, he/she must notify the British Council immediately.
Please make sure that you are able to attend the written part of the test on scheduled dates before you register, as entries cannot be transferred from one examination session to a later one or to a different level of examination.

As the written papers from all over the world are marked in UK, it takes time to process the tests and double check all the marks. The results are only issued approximately 2 months after the examination is taken.
IELTS results, however, are marked locally and are issued 2 weeks after the exam date.