Check Out English Entrance Exams to Fly for Study in Australia

The process of studying in Australia has been made easier for international students. However, an individual requires passing an English test for Australia. These English proficiency tests involve IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. It will depend on the student which is more suitable according to their study plan. Thus, take a look at such exams and more.

What do you mean by the English Proficiency Exam?

It is an exam that an individual requires taking to showcase his/her aptitude for the English language. This exam will assess a person’s competence level against native speakers’ grammatical, fluency, and pronunciation ability. Such tests determine whether scholars can handle residing in an English-speaking country or whether students will benefit by joining ESL (English as Second Language) courses.

Scholars who are willing to pursue higher studies or work in Australia would have to sit for English proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. Thus, take a look below to check out each of these exams and choose which one is more suitable.

The test required to study in Australia

The most opted-for English proficiency tests are:

1. IELTS – International English Language Testing System or IELTS is taken by 3 million people worldwide annually. It is required for studying, working, or migrating to a foreign country.
2. TOEFL – TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is ideally taken by students as over 11,000 universities accept its test scores.
3. PTE – The Pearson Test of English is another exam that non-native English speakers have to take for pursuing higher studies in a foreign country.
4. Cambridge English: FCE – Cambridge English: FCE is now known as B2 is one of the English qualifications from Cambridge. It is another option available for students to showcase their English proficiency.
5. TOEIC – This is another examination that assesses a student’s English proficiency. It is ideal for both people looking to migrate or work as well as students seeking to study in a foreign university.

Take a look at these tests in detail!

Want to work in Australia? Read more about Working Rights.

• IELTS entrance exam

The IELTS test examines a student’s proficiency and command over the English language. Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking are the parts that one is judged upon. Students are scored out of 9 bands, where the lowest is 1 and the highest is 9. Students will at least need a 6.5 score to be able to study at Australian universities.

Both the Writing and Reading part takes 60 minutes each to finish, while the listening part takes about 30 minutes to complete, and speaking ideally ranges from 10-15 minutes. Each of these 4 parts of IELTS comes with different types of tasks that include matching, multiple choice questions, answering questions, writing summary, essay writing, etc.

The IELTS cost in Australia is around AU$395. However, opting for it in India will cost an individual around 14,700-15,500 rupees. Test results are delivered within a week for an online option, and 13 days for a paper-based test. IELTS is required for Australia and thus, sit for it immediately.

• TOEFL entrance test

Educational Testing Service or ETS conducts TOEFL. An online testing option is the only choice available as its paper-based exam has been discontinued in 2021. It takes about 3 hours to complete the 4 sections (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) that this test holds. Unlike IELTS, TOEFL examinees scored out of 120 marks, whereas students should score at least above 80. The score is valid for 2 years and one will have to pay around a $185 exam fee if the test is taken in India.

If the reading part comes with 3 passages, then students are provided with 54 minutes to complete it; however, if it has 4 passages, then 72 minutes are given to respond. The listening portion has 3-4 lectures and 2-3 conversations, which are played just once. One will have to take notes while listening so that he/she can answer them later. The total time given is 41-57 minutes.

Speaking tasks take about 17 minutes to complete and for writing people need to complete a summary and essay on given topics. 50 minutes is what one gets to complete its writing section. This is the definitive English proficiency test in Australia.

• PTE entrance exam

Pearson Test of English or PTE exam for Australia offers test scores within 48 hours is why many students prefer to take it. Similar to other test options, students are judged based on Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills. People taking the test in Australia will have to pay approximately AU$385 and people taking the test in India require paying $15,900 including GST.

The Speaking and Writing section will take 54-67 minutes for a student, while Reading takes about 30 minutes to complete and Listening takes 30-45 minutes. Similar to any other English proficiency exam, people need to speak on given topics for Speaking. Writing would ensure completing an essay along with summary creation from given data.

Reading includes MCQs, filling in the blanks, re-ordering of paragraphs, etc. Lastly, listening comprises summarizing audio offered, selecting missing words, MCQs, dictation writing, etc. An undergraduate should score a 51-60 range minimum and PG students should get 57-67 at least. However, one should score much higher for PTE for Australia PR.

• Cambridge English: FCE entrance test

This test is known as B2 nowadays and is another option for English proficiency exams apart from the above-mentioned tests. An individual will have to answer four sections like any other such test, which includes Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. Exam fee ranges from AU$239 to AU$282 depending on the test type opted for.

The four sections of this entrance exam include Reading and English usage which takes about 75 minutes to complete; Listening takes 40 minutes, Writing takes 80 minutes, during which one has to write 2 essays, and Speaking takes about 14 minutes. Speaking generally includes an interview format.

The paper is graded with A, B, or C, which means a scholar has passed. However, receiving D, E, or U means one has failed. Also, both online and offline testing facility is available for people. Computer-based test scores are delivered within 2-3 weeks and paper-based is provided within 4-6 weeks from the examination date.

You may also like to read: Government Funded Courses in Australia

• TOEIC entrance exam

Lastly, another English proficiency test that students can opt for is the TOEIC test. It is divided into two parts which students need to choose from. The two parts are segmented; the Reading and Listening test is part one and the second part is Writing and Speaking. The first part is paper-based while the second part is online.

The test is scored between 10 and 990, where for academic purposes one would require scoring 785 at least but it is better to score over 900. The Reading and Listening part carries 495 marks and Writing and Speaking carry 495 marks; a total of 990 marks. One should score over 785 at least; but to be on the safe side, it’s better to try and achieve 900 marks or more. Within 3-4 weeks, the test result is delivered and the test fee is AU$405.

Conclusion:

When opting for cookery courses in Australia, the ideal English proficiency exam would be either IELTS or TOEFL and this is the reason why most people choose either. Hence, sit for the English test for an Australian visa today.