Why you should consider the Cambridge English Test in Australia

Many international students who have come to Australia to study English in an ESL college and wish to go onto university or another VET professional course find themselves contemplating taking an IELTS course or a course for the Cambridge English test while applying for their next visa and next educational step.

The Cambridge English tests are a series of exams designed to assess English language proficiency at various levels, from beginner to advanced. These tests are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which provides a standardized benchmark for language skills across Europe. The CEFR levels range from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).

Like IELTS the Cambridge English Test course covers all four language skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Typical topics covered in a Cambridge English Test course include:

1. Travel and Tourism: Discussing travel experiences, destinations, and cultural differences.
2. Education and Work: Talking about school, university, job roles, and career aspirations.
3. Health and Fitness: Conversations about healthy lifestyles, exercise, and medical issues.
4. Environment: Discussing environmental issues, conservation, and sustainability.
5. Technology: Exploring the impact of technology on daily life, communication, and work.
6. Society and Culture: Discussing social issues, cultural traditions, and societal changes.

These topics ensure that learners are well-prepared for real-life communication and the Cambridge English exams. This aligns with IELTS goals and most people who work with international students would say is much better than PTE which is only academic and not at all practical.

There are dozens of centre that are authorised to hold the exams in Australia which is usually on the same day every 3 months, and many of these are the same schools and language institutes that provide the course. It probably makes the test a little less nerve-raking.

You don’t have to enrol in the usually 10 to 12 week course, but most people who take the exam do. In fact, many students (particularly South Americans) come to Australia at elementary level, spending perhaps a year to reach upper intermediate level, and then begin their Cambridge journey, going onto a trade or sponsored visa.

Another thing, you take the test at the level you are studying, so unlike the other exams you don’t have beginners and near-natives taking the same test. However, most ESL colleges in Australia only cover the higher-level course (so why not do general English until you are at the right level for the course they offer?)

The duration of the Cambridge English exams varies depending on the specific test:

• A2 Key (KET): Approximately 2 hours
• B1 Preliminary (PET): Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes
• B2 First (FCE): Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
• C1 Advanced (CAE): Approximately 4 hours
• C2 Proficiency (CPE): Approximately 4 hours

These times include all sections of the exam: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts the C1 Advanced (formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English) for various visa applications, including student visas. Most Australian universities and TAFE institutions also accept the C1 Advanced for admissions purposes too. This means you can use your Cambridge English exam results for both visa applications and university admissions in Australia.

Here’s a comparison of band scores for Cambridge English and IELTS /PTE.

Cambridge English to IELTS

• C2 Proficiency: 8.5 – 9.0 IELTS | 86-90 PTE
• C1 Advanced: 7.0 – 8.0 IELTS | 76-85 PTE
• B2 First: 5.5 – 6.5 IELTS | 51-75 PTE

For people overseas (I’m looking at you India and your neighbours) trying to jump hurdles and hack the other test to get a visa for Australia, I suggest you bypass your immigration agents and their IELTS cram schools and books of multiple test tickets which cause debt and grief. It might be worth applying for a student visa at an international English college where they accept any level and working your way through the ranks to Cambridge onshore in Australia with Australian teachers and an international classroom. In this way, you can work 20 hours a week, whilst earnestly improving your English and working towards your goals.

For more on the Cambridge courses and test in Australia click

Source: Study at university in Australia | Cambridge English