Job Discussion Forums

[sheikh radlinrol]

One of my students is keen to pass CAE but one of her friends has said that IELTS is more useful. I�ve told her that here (in Spain) the Cambridge exams are more widely recognised. This girl seems to have been told that the Cambridge exams are in decline. Who�s right?

[HLJHLJ]

They are different animals. What does she want the exam for?

IELTS is a testing system, it's supposed to give a snapshot of a candidate's ability at a specific time. As a general rule an IELTS score is only valid for two years, though some places will accept it later if it's accompanied by proof of additional study.

CAE is an exam, in the traditional sense. Once you have passed it, you have always passed it.

IELTS is generally needed for things like emigration, where an IELTS score will carry a certain number of points towards the application. If that is the primary aim of your student, then she will likely need to take an IELTS (or TOEFL) test at some point, but this would usually be in addition to the general English exams already taken.

I've not heard anything about Cambridge exams being in decline, as far as I am aware they are still as widely recognised as they have ever been. Besides which, IELTS is a essentially a Cambridge exam anyway.

[Insubordination]

Unless IELTS is needed for a specific purpose, I would stick with CAE because it's far broader in scope with different text types and more focus on grammar.

[Dedicated]

The IELTS exam is widely recognised as a test of language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.

There are two types of IELTS test : the Academic Module (taken for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate studies or for professional reasons) and the General Training Module (taken for entry to vocational or training programmes NOT at degree level, for admission to secondary schools and for immigration purposes). Both modules are made up of 4 parts - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Listening and Speaking are the same for both Academic and General Training, but the writing and Reading tests are totally different.

Make sure potential candidates understand the difference. Universities will NOT accept the General Training Module. Most universities require a minimum of IELTS Band 6.5, depending on the subject area. Law and Medicine require 7.5.

The CAE exam is also considered to be C1 level on the Common European Framework (IELTS is considered between B2 and C1, depending on the score. You do not fail IELTS, you just get a low Band, whereas you can fail CAE). The CAE has 5 papers : Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking, so there is clearly more emphasis on grammar.

Universities will accept CAE as an entrance test, but the score must be Grade A.

More than 1 million folk take the IELTS every year worldwide, so it looks as if Cambridge UCLES is far from in decline.