Lake School of English: Home > Student life > Exam guidance
Exam guidance
Many students are interested in taking an English language exam to achieve a formal qualification which is recognised by colleges, universities and employers all over the world.
Exam preparation is available for students who are studying for 4 weeks and who have an Intermediate level of English or above. We will give you detailed information about suitable exams for you and advise you on the best preparation for your needs. We will help you register for the exam.
Key facts
The Cambridge exams are recognized by universities and employers in many countries. The exams test all skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening. In Oxford you can take the exams in March, June and December.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is used to test your ability to follow a course of study in an English-speaking college or university and is recognised all over the world, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand and North America. It tests your ability to read, write, speak and listen in academic contexts. You can take the exam in Oxford almost every month.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language) is an American exam and is recognised by American colleges and universities, as well as most British universities. You can take the TOEFL internet based test (iBT) in Oxford and London or possibly in your own country. There are exam dates almost every week of the year.
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) measures the everyday English skills of people working in an international environment. Your score shows how well you can communicate in English with others in business, commerce and industry. You can take the exam in Oxford. There are exam dates almost every month.
There is an internationally recognised framework, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages which describes language ability in a scale of levels from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
| CEFR Common European Framework of Reference for Languages |
General English | General and Academic English | General English (US) | English for International Communication |
| Master C2 |
CPE Certificate of Proficiency in English |
IELTS International English Language Testing System |
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language |
TOEIC Test of English for International Communication |
| Effective Operational Proficiency C1 |
CAE Certificate in Advanced English |
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| Vantage B1 |
FCE First Certificate in English |
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| Theshold B1 |
PET Preliminary English Test |
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| Waystage A2 |
KET Key English Test |
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| Break-through A1 |
How many hours do I have to study to take an exam?
Students often ask Lake School about the number of study hours needed to reach a certain examination level. It's not possible to give a definite answer to this as it depends on many things, for example
- the student's language learning background,
- how often the student has lessons
- the interests and motivations of the student,
- the age of the person
- the amount of study/practice outside of lesson times.
Cambridge ESOL, however, give these as an approximate guideline:
| Common European Framework | Guided Learning Hours |
|---|---|
| A2 | approximately 180-200 |
| B1 | approximately 350-400 |
| B2 | approximately 500-600 |
| C1 | approximately 700-800 |
| C2 | approximately 1,000-1,200 |
The Lake School of English, 14 Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1JQ
