Which English Proficiency Exam Should You Take? (Understanding TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Tests)

Summary

In this episode, Thiago discusses proficiency exams in English, focusing on the four most popular ones: TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge exams. He explains the purpose of taking a proficiency exam, such as measuring progress, assessing all four language skills, identifying gaps, gaining motivation, and enhancing your resume. Thiago provides an overview of each exam, including their format, scoring, validity, and cost. He also shares his personal opinion and recommends the Cambridge exams for learners who want a more comprehensive assessment of their English skills.

Takeaways

• Proficiency exams are useful for measuring progress, assessing all four language skills, identifying gaps, gaining motivation, and enhancing your resume.
• TOEIC is primarily used for professional settings, while TOEFL is popular for academic purposes, especially for studying in the US.
• IELTS is widely accepted for university applications in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and it also serves immigration purposes.
• The Cambridge exams offer a suite of English certification exams, each testing a specific level of English. They provide a more comprehensive assessment and do not expire.
• Choosing the right proficiency exam depends on your goals, such as work, university, immigration, or personal learning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Proficiency Exams

07:41 Overview of TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge Exams

23:42 Benefits of Cambridge Exams

34:36 Balancing English and Native Language

Article I read in the episode: https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-tests/

To learn more about TOEIC & TOEFL, go this website:

https://www.ets.org/

To learn more about IELTS, go this website:

https://ielts.org/

To learn more about the Camrbridge Exams, go this website:

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/

Want to have private classes with me? Apply here:

⁠https://englishwiththiago.teachable.com/p/private-classes