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The University of Cambridge ESOL examinations are examinations in English language ability for non-native speakers of English. Cambridge ESOL is part of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). This is a department of the University of Cambridge, England.
In 2004 Cambridge ESOL examinations were taken by around 1.5 million learners in more than 135 countries. The exams cover general English, business English, academic English and English for young learners.
Individual exams
General English
These exams are also known as the "Main Suite" exams:
KET (Key English Test):elementary
PET (Preliminary English Test):intermediate
FCE (First Certificate in English):upper intermediate
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English):advanced
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English):very advanced
Assessment of individual skills
CELS (Certificates in English Language Skills):These exams allow students to prove what they can do in each skill (reading, writing, speaking etc.) separately: they receive a separate mark for each section.
Certificates in ESOL Skills for Life: These certificates also give separate marks for each type of ability. The exam is for ESOL learners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland .
Business English
BEC (Business English Certificates): This exam in Business English can be taken at three levels.
BULATS (Business Language Testing Service): this is an assessment service for companies, for showing language skills in English, French, German and Spanish.
Academic English
IELTS (International English Language Testing System):recognised by universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.
Young Learners' English
YLE (Cambridge Young Learners' English Tests): English exams for children aged 7 to 12.
Link to Common European Framework
The Cambridge ESOL exams are related to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). This framework sets standards in foreign language teaching across Europe. It divides learners into six levels of ability, with descriptions of what a learner is able to do at each stage. The Cambridge ESOL exams fit into this framework as shown in the table:
| CEF level | CELS exams | BEC exams | Main Suite | IELTS | BULATS | YLE |
| C2 | - | - | CPE | 7.5+ | 90100 | - |
| C1 | CELS H | BEC H | CAE | 6.5/7.0 | 7589 | - |
| B2 | CELS V | BEC V | FCE | 5.0/5.5/6.0 | 6074 | - |
| B1 | CELS P | BEC P | PET | 3.5/4.0/4.5 | 4059 | - |
| A2 | - | - | KET | 3.0 | 2039 | Flyers |
| A1 | - | - | - | - | 019 | Movers |
See also
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