There are two important considerations when a student is looking for an approved English Language Test:
- It must be approved for Visas by the Visa Granting Authority – The Home Office of the respective Country; – VISA CRITERION
- As well as it must be accepted by the University of College where the student is desiring to take an admit. – ADMISSION CRITERION
VISA CRITERION:
The United Kingdom – UKVI (From: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt )
Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
For visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
The level of test you will need, known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, will depend on the route you are applying for. To find out which level you need, see the specific guidance for your immigration route.
Approved Test Providers
If you are in the UK
You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:
- IELTS SELT Consortium
- LanguageCert
- Pearson
- Trinity College London
If you are outside of the UK
You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:
- IELTS SELT Consortium
- LanguageCert
- Pearson
- PSI Services (UK) Ltd
Find an approved test
For your results to be accepted, your test must:
- be on the list of approved English language tests
- have been sat at an approved test location
- have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application
IELTS ALTERNATIVES
Introduction
IELTS is the most popular English language proficiency test in the world. It’s accepted by over 2.9 million students across more than 60 countries, but there are many other alternatives which can be used to help you prepare for this exam.
There are many alternatives to IELTS which can be accepted by universities for admission. These tests are more popular than the IELTS and TOEFL in the world, but they’re not as widely used yet.
Here are some of the best alternatives:
PSI-Skills for English: (From: https://skillsforenglish.com/test/selt/selt-about/
- Skills for English Tests have been designed to make the process of organizing your test and achieving your English language testing goal intuitive and straightforward.
- Skills for English tests have been conceived to focus first and foremost on the test taker’s needs.
- Whether they are working towards a new career, a university application, a new home or anything that requires confirmation of English Language capability, there is a Skills for English test that can help in the most simple, quick and accessible way possible.
| Who can appear? | Anybody who wants to Study/Work/Settle
Abroad in UK & IRELAND (US & CANADA to be included soon) |
| Generally Accepted by |
Universities of UK & IRELAND Skills for English: SELT is a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for visa and immigration applications that you can take in over 120 countries around the world, outside of the UK. |
| Test Conducted By | PSI |
| Nature of Test | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Test Pattern | Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking
(LRWS) |
| Test Duration | 190 minutes (B2 Level) |
| Test Scores | Pass/Pass with Merit |
| Avg. Score Required | Pass |
| Test Score Validity | 2 years |
| When is the Test Conducted? | Varies as per location* |
| Test Fee | $200 = 15,550 INR (approx) |
Which SELT Test For Student Visa?
|
Student Visa- below degree level # Check with your institution |
Reading, writing, speaking, and listening |
B1 | 4SB1 |
175 Minutes |
| Student Visa- below degree level # Check with your institution | Reading, writing, speaking, and listening |
B2 |
4SB2 |
190 Minutes |
Compare English Language Qualifications
Skills for English is mapped to the ‘Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ (CEFR) for UKVI purposes, but you can also see how it maps to other international English language qualifications.
* Skills for English: SELT is only mapped to CEFR levels. IELTS and TOEFL Levels are shown as indicative of approximate CEFR level only.
Skills for English (UKVI) is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that has been approved by UK Visas and Immigration to meet the English language requirements for UK visa applications. It’s simple and convenient to prepare for, to book and to take.
The test can be booked online and on demand, it is delivered in a single session that is entirely computer-based,
with no need for an examiner/assessor to be present. This format makes delivery more flexible with a greater choice of test dates and location, and with results being available in as little as 14 days.
Skills for English (UKVI) is offered through our network of PSI Authorised test centres and is available now in 122 countries around the world, except the UK.
Wide availability of test centres and sessions Test levels matched exactly to visa type required
A one-session test that is entirely computer-based with no examiner/assessor present
Auto-marked reading and listening skills, with speaking and writing skills marked by expert assessors who do not see any of your personal details.
Simple, quick, affordable; Skills for English (UKVI) is a qualification that enables you to demonstrate your knowledge of English language for a range of purposes, including work, study or settlement.
You can move through each of the skills sections in turn in a single test session and receive your results in as little as 3-5* days.
The TOEFL is a computer based test that measures English as a second language. It is accepted by many universities in the US, Canada and Australia.
The TOEFL was created to help international students who want to study at American colleges and universities but do not have native-level English proficiency. It’s also an excellent choice if you’re looking to apply for scholarships or financial aid at U.S.-based institutions of higher education because it demonstrates that you’ve already taken steps toward becoming comfortable with reading and writing in English before you arrive on campus!
There are many universities across Europe that recognise Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic as an acceptable English language proficiency test. This means that you can use your PTE score to apply for these institutions, even if you have already been accepted into another university.
You may be wondering: “Why would I want to do this?” The answer is simple–if you study in one of these countries, there’s no need for you to take another English language exam again! In addition, universities will accept your GPA from any previous degree program with no additional requirements attached.
Duolingo is a free online test that can be completed in under an hour, and it covers all four skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening. You’ll need to install the Duolingo app on your phone or computer (it’s available for both Android and iOS) before starting the test. Once you’ve downloaded it onto your mobile device or computer, log in with your username/password information. This will allow you access to all of the lessons within a specific skill area:
- Reading: covers basic vocabulary as well as grammar structures;
- Writing: useful phrases such as “I would like” or “thank you”;
- Speaking: basic phrases like “yes” or “no”;
- Listening: questions that ask about spoken English usage;
- LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications are recognised by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and SQA Accreditation in the UK.
- They are accepted for study by over 5,000 institutions and 60 professional bodies worldwide
Other Tests:
- Cambridge ESOL Examinations in England;
- Teach First in Ireland;
- Kenexa ProveIt! Professional Skills Assessments & Career Assessments in Scotland;
- National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) – The NCEA certificates represent an excellent alternative to O levels or GCSEs if you are planning to study at university level here in Britain or abroad after your school education ends.
- TESOL is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving English language teaching worldwide. It was founded in 1952 by representatives of major English-speaking nations (USA, UK, Canada and Australia). The organization has members in more than 120 countries around the world.
Conclusion
If your university doesn’t recognise your IELTS results, we can help. We can offer advice on how to improve your English skills and help you apply for universities around the world.
If you are looking for the best IELTS Coaching Classes in Vadodara, contact us today to get enrolled and crack the IELTS score with our experienced and certified IELTS experts.
