We offer a full range of exams for non-native English speakers. This is a selection of what is on offer.

For more help on exams and on choosing which is best for you, please contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.

The TIE Exam (www.TIE.ie)

What is the TIE (Test of Interactive English) Exam?

The Test of Interactive English has been developed by the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) to meet the needs of students taking English Language courses in Ireland. TIE is recognised by the Irish Department of Education & Science and is administered by TIE examinations limited.

How Do I Prepare For The Test?

You need to do three tasks and record them in a logbook:

• Carry out a short investigation on a subject of interest to you;
• Read a book of your choice in English at your level;
• Follow a news story in the media (newspapers, T.V, radio, etc)

What Are The Reasons For Taking Tie?

• TIE assesses your language competency in using English
• Preparation for the test focuses on guiding, supporting and improving your learning of English
• The test content is chosen by YOU
• TIE encourages the development of effective language learning strategies
• You are awarded a separate grade for each part of the test
• All learners at any level are eligible to take TIE and receive a TIE certificate
• TIE is recognised by the Department of Education & Science in Ireland
• Assessment follows the Council of Europe’s Framework of Language Proficiency
• TIE can be taken at regular times every month. Certificates are sent out within 10 working days

What does TIE consist of?

The test is in two parts – a speaking test (OTIE) and a writing test (WTIE). You will need to use your reading and listening-skills in order to:

• Prepare for the test
• Participate in each part of the test

OTIE: (Speaking – 30 minutes)

You are required to interact with another candidate.

You are asked to present your investigation. You then listen to your partner’s presentation, ask questions and comment.

You are asked to talk about either your book or your news story. You then listen to your partner’s book/news story, ask questions and comment.

The final section is an unprepared task when you and your partner are required to reach a decision. You then present your decision to the examiner.

WTIE: (Writing – 60 minutes)

You are required to produce two pieces of writing of approximately 150 words.

Prepared task: The task is based on either your news story or your book

Unprepared task: the task is based on real life experiences or an area of general academic interest. It may require you, foe example, to present an argument, express an opinion, give a description, or write a short report.

Tie Is Suitable For Learners Of:

• English for general Purposes
• English for Business, Professional or Vocational Purposes
• English for Academic Purposes
• English as a Second Language

How Is Tie Assessed?

TIE is assessed using the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Language Proficiency.

JUNIOR TIE                   TIE
Proficient User           C1,C2                        C1, C1+, C2
Independent User     B1, B1+, B2, B2+     B1, B1+, B2, B2+
Basic User                   A1, A1+, A2, A2+    A1, A2, A2+

Where Can I Take Tie?

TIE is taken at a city centre testing centre and tests are available every week. You can contact the DIRECTOR OF STUDIES or the TIE COORDINATOR at the school DSE for further information.

The TIE exam is suitable for all students who attend classes at the school. There are no specific preparation classes because of the self-study nature of the exam. However our teachers are more than happy to provide students with any assistance needed.

The Cambridge CPE Exam

What is the CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Exam) exam?

CPE is the highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If you are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context and are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker, then this is the exam for you.

Success at this level represents a significant personal achievement.

Why take CPE?

CPE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad, or to develop a career that requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). On passing the exam, you’ll receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Your CPE certificate is recognised by thousands of universities and employers throughout the world.
You will also receive a statement of results, showing how you performed in each paper.

While studying for CPE you will be improving your language skills and learning to use them in a wide range of contexts. Because many aspects of the exams are based on realistic tasks, a CPE certificate shows that you have progressed beyond a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and can actually use the language in real contexts.

What does the exam involve?

CPE has five papers:

* Reading
* Writing
* Use of English
* Listening
* Speaking

The written papers are returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two examiners who examine candidates face-to-face.
Reading (Paper 1), 1 hour 30 minutes

The Reading paper assesses your ability to read and understand texts taken from a wide range of sources, including fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines. You are expected to understand the meaning of written English at word, phrase, sentence, paragraph and whole text level. It includes understanding of text content, organisation and structure, and the development of ideas, opinions and attitudes.
Writing (Paper 2), 2 hours

The Writing paper assesses your ability to write non-specialised texts types such as letters, articles, reports and reviews for a given purpose and target reader, covering a wide range of topics. The paper also includes questions on set texts. Responses are of 300-350 words in length.
Use of English (Paper 3), 1 hour 30 minutes

In the Use of English paper, you are expected to demonstrate your knowledge and control of the language system by completing various tasks at word, sentence and text level. These include gap-filling and word formation exercises, comprehension questions and a summary writing task.
Listening (Paper 4), 40 minutes (approx.)

The Listening paper assesses the ability to listen to and understand texts taken from a variety of situations, including interviews, discussions, lectures and conversations. It tests the ability to understand the meaning of spoken English, to extract information from a spoken text and to understand speakers’ attitudes and opinions.
Speaking (Paper 5), 19 minutes

The Speaking Test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English in a range of contexts. The paper contains three parts, which take the form of an interview section, a collaborative task and individual long turns with follow-up discussion. You normally take the Speaking Test in pairs.

How does CPE compare to IELTS and TOEFL?

Cambridge     IELTS     TOEFL computer
CPE                   7.5
7.0     250
CAE         6.5     232
6.0
FCE         5.5     196
5.0     173
PET         4.0
KET         3.0

When are the CPE exams held?

Exams are held in June and December of each year. The registration date is approximately two months before the exam. The exam can be booked through the school or directly with the testing centre. Please note that if booking through the school all fees must be paid at the time of booking.

The Cambridge CAE Exam

What is the CAE (Cambridge Advanced Exam) exam?

CAE is the second highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Choose CAE if you are reaching a standard of English that is good enough for most social and professional situations, and in higher education.

Although the level of language skills required is not as high as for CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English), CAE recognises the ability to communicate with confidence in English and deal with most aspects of everyday life.
Why take CAE?

CAE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career that requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). It is also useful preparation if you are working towards CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English).

On passing the exam, you’ll receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Your CAE certificate is recognised by universities and employers throughout the world.

You will also receive a statement of results, showing how you performed in each of the five papers.

Studying for CAE helps you to improve your language skills and use them in a wide range of contexts. The exams are based on realistic tasks, and show the ability to use the language in practical situations. If you are successful, you’ll be able to participate in meetings and discussions, express opinions clearly, and be able to understand and produce texts of various types, including business letters and reports. You’ll also be able to follow university courses taught in English.

What does the exam involve?

CAE has five papers:

* Reading
* Writing
* English in use
* Listening
* Speaking

The written papers are returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine candidates face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

Reading (Paper 1), 1 hour 15 minutes

This paper assesses your ability to read and understand a number of texts taken from books, newspapers and magazines. You are expected to be able to show understanding of general topics, main points, detail, text structure or specific information, guess meaning or recognise opinion and attitude.
Writing (Paper 2), 1 hour 30 minutes

This paper assesses your ability to write non-specialised text types such as letters, articles, reports and reviews for a given purpose and target reader, covering a range of topics. Responses are of about 180 to 260 words in length.
English in Use (Paper 3), 1 hour

In this paper, you are expected to demonstrate knowledge and use of grammar and vocabulary by completing various tasks based on authentic texts. This will include gap-filling, error correction, word formation, register transfer and text completion exercises.
Listening (Paper 4), 40 minutes (approx.)

This paper assesses your ability to understand the meaning of spoken English in a variety of text types including interviews, discussions, lectures and conversations.
Speaking (Paper 5), 15 minutes

The Speaking Test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English in a range of contexts. The Speaking Test is normally taken in pairs.

How does the Cambridge exam compare to IELTS and TOEFL?

Cambridge     IELTS     TOEFL computer
CPE             7.5
7.0     250
CAE         6.5     232
6.0
FCE         5.5     196
5.0     173
PET         4.0
KET         3.0

When are the CAE exams held?

Exams are held in March, June and December of each year. The registration date is approximately two months before the exam. The exam can be booked through the school or directly with the testing centre. Please note that if booking through the school all fees must be paid at the time of booking.

The Cambridge FCE Exam

What is the FCE (First Certificate in English) exam?

FCE is an intermediate level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level B2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Choose FCE if your knowledge of English is good enough for many practical everyday situations, including business and study.

To be successful, you will have a wide range of vocabulary and grammar knowledge. You will be able to communicate fluently and correctly in spoken and written English and be able to understand different types of reading and listening texts.

In order to ensure their exams meet the needs of students, FCE and CAE have recently undergone a review and the examinations have been updated.

Why take FCE?

FCE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career that requires a good level of English. FCE shows a good enough level of English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs in many industries, in particular tourism, where contact with English speakers is required. Successful candidates have the ability to deal with routine letters and telephone enquiries, and to cope with some non-academic training courses and simple textbooks and articles.

FCE is also useful preparation if you are working towards higher level exams, such as CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) and CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English).

On passing the exam you will receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, which is recognised by universities and employers throughout the world.

You will also receive a statement of results, showing how you performed in each of the five papers.

What does the exam involve?

FCE has five papers:

* Reading
* Writing
* Use of English
* Listening
* Speaking

Each of the written papers is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two examiners who examine you face to face.
Reading (Paper 1), 1 hour

This paper assesses your ability to read and understand texts taken from fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.
Writing (Paper 2), 1 hour 20 minutes

This paper assesses your ability to write non-specialised text types such as letters, articles, reports, compositions and reviews of 120-150 words for a range of topics and situations.
Use of English (Paper 3), 45 minutes

This paper requires you to demonstrate your knowledge and use of English grammar and vocabulary.
Listening (Paper 4), 40 minutes (approx.)

This paper assesses your ability to understand the meaning of spoken English in a variety of situations including interviews, discussions, lectures and conversations.
Speaking (Paper 5), 14 minutes.

The Speaking Test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English in a range of contexts. You will normally take the Speaking Test in pairs.

How do the Cambridge exams compare to IELTS and TOEFL?

Cambridge     IELTS     TOEFL computer
CPE         7.5
7.0     250
CAE         6.5     232
6.0
FCE         5.5     196
5.0     173
PET         4.0
KET         3.0

When are the FCE exams held?

Exams are held in March, June, August and December of each year. The registration date is approximately two months before the exam. The exam can be booked through the school or directly with the testing centre. Please note that if booking through the school all fees must be paid at the time of booking.

The IELTS Exam

What is the IELTS exam?

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in Ireland, the UK and other countries.
Who is it for?

IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
What is the IELTS test like?

You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections:

* Listening – 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
* Speaking – interview, 15 minutes
* Reading – different for Academic or General Training – 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
* Writing – different for Academic or General Training – 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes

Score

Out of 9 for each section and an overall score out of 9.
Level

Multi-level. You get a score between 3 and 9. Half point scores, such as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections. IELTS scores compare with TOEFL and the Cambridge exams approximately as follows:

How does the IELTS exam compare to the Cambridge exams and TOEFL?

Cambridge     IELTS     TOEFL computer
CPE         7.5
7.0     250
CAE         6.5     232
6.0
FCE         5.5     196
5.0     173
PET         4.0
KET         3.0

When are the IELTS exams held?

Exams are usually held two times each month. The registration date is a minimum of two weeks before the exam. However, high demand for exam places means that we recommend registering at least 6 weeks in advance. The exam can be booked through the school or directly with the testing centre. Please note that if booking through the school all fees must be paid at the time of booking.