There are many different English language qualifications available that are used by schools, universities, employers and governments as proof of your level of excellence in English. At IH Bangkok, we have been helping students prepare for and excelling at these exams for 10 years. So, whether it is:
IH Bangkok is the best school to help you reach your goals.
To find out more about each test click on:
IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or Cambridge ESOL (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE).
IH Bangkok can offer these courses on an intensive or part-time basis, in small groups or as private lessons.
To find out how IH Bangkok can help you, contact us at info@ihbangkok.com and book your free assessment test.
Do you need an extra 0.5 or 1.0 on the IELTS band? Do you need to get 1.5 or even 2.0 points more?
International House Bangkok has a proven track record of helping students get into top universities in Bangkok and throughout the world.
Average student progress statistics show that for each 4 weeks of full time intensive study a student improves 0.5 points on the IELTS scale. IH Bangkok IELTS students often do better than that.
The International House Bangkok IELTS Preparation courses will give you the knowledge and skills you need in preparation for the IELTS test. The courses provide useful strategies and techniques to help you approach all sections of the test confidently.
If you have not already taken an IELTS test, IH Bangkok is happy to give you a free IELTS placement test to assess your IELTS level.
For any student getting a level of less than 4.5 on the IELTS bands, IH Bangkok recommends taking an IH Bangkok General English course to bring you up to at least IELTS band 4.5 before focusing specifically on IELTS course materials.
FAQs about IELTS:
What kind of exam is it?
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.
What level do I need to be?
Multi-level. You get a score between 1 and 9. Half 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.
How will it help me?
IELTS is internationally available, internationally recognised, internationally focused and internationally owned. It opens doors for you to more than 6000 educational institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organisations across 120 countries which recognise IELTS scores as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English. In every sense, IELTS is a truly global test which can take you where you want to go. British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand universities require IELTS scores ranging from 4.5 for foundation courses and some science subjects to 7.5 / 8 for subjects like Law, as proof of applicants having a sufficient level of English to follow courses.
What does the exam consist of?
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:
How often and where can I take it?
A candidate can repeat the test as often as they wish. There is no limit to the number of times the candidate can take the IELTS test. We can arrange for you to take the exam at one of the IELTS testing centres in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Top tips for preparing for the exam:
What kind of exam is it?
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) recognizes the ability to deal with reading, speaking, listening to and writing American English at advanced level.
What level do I need to be?
Lower Advanced
What does the exam consist of?
Reading
The reading section consists of 3-5 long passages and questions about the passages. The passages are on academic topics; they are the kind of material that might be found in an undergraduate university textbook. Students answer questions about main ideas, details, inferences, sentence restatements, sentence insertion, vocabulary, function and overall ideas. New types of questions in the iBT require paraphrasing, filling out tables, or completing summaries. Generally prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer.
Listening
The listening section consists of six long passages and questions about the passages. The passages consist of two student conversations and four academic lectures or discussions. The questions ask the students to determine main ideas, details, function, stance, inferences, and overall organization.
Speaking
The speaking section consists of six tasks, two independent tasks and four integrated tasks. In the two independent tasks, students must answer opinion questions about some aspect of academic life. In two integrated reading, listening, and speaking tasks, students must read a passage, listen to a passage, and speak about how the ideas in the two passages are related. In two integrated listening and speaking tasks, students must listen to long passages and then summarize and offer opinions on the information in the passages. Test takers are expected to convey information, explain ideas, and defend opinions clearly, coherently, and accurately.
Writing
The writing section consists of two tasks, one integrated task and one independent task. In the integrated task, students must read an academic passage, listen to an academic passage, and write about how the ideas in the two passages are related. In the independent task, students must write a personal essay.
| Task | Internet Based Test | Approx. Time |
| Reading | 3 passages and 39 questions | 60 minutes |
| Listening | 6 passages and 34 questions | 50 minutes |
| Speaking | 6 tasks and 6 questions | 20 minutes |
| Writing | 2 tasks and 2 questions | 55 minutes |
What kind of exam is it?
Test of English for International Communication.
What level do I need to be?
Multi-level.
What does the exam consist of?
TOEIC test questions are based on real-life work settings in an international environment (meetings, travel, telephone conversations, etc). The TOEIC test is a two-hour multiple-choice test that consists of 200 questions divided into 100 questions each in listening comprehension and reading comprehension. Each candidate receives independent marks for written and oral comprehension on a scale from 5 to 495 points. The total score adds up to a scale from 10 to 990 points.
How will it help me?
The test is used by organisations to determine whether an employee is suitable for a particular task. If you work or want to work for a large organisation, particularly in Asia, then the TOEIC test will be useful to you.
How can I prepare for this exam?
Students can practise TOEIC tests and attend TOEIC preparation classes at our IH Bangkok centre.
The Cambridge ESOL General English suite of exams has a wide choice of certificates reflecting the very different needs and abilities of people. The certificates cover basic exams for those beginning to learn English, through to advanced certificates for those who have attained a high level of fluency.
The exams are recognised around the world by thousands of employers, universities and government ministries as proof of ability to use English.
These certificates never expire, and will not need to be renewed - they are an achievement for life.
Here at International House Bangkok we offer preparation courses for each of the five exams.
KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE.
To know your level, click here to take part in the Cambridge ESOL online test.
KET Preparation at IH Bangkok
What kind of exam is it?
The Key English Test (KET) is Cambridge ESOL's exam which recognises the ability to deal with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level.
What level do I need to be?
Pre-Intermediate
What does the exam consist of?
| KET Test Area | Time Limit |
| Reading & Writing | 80 minutes |
| Listening | 30 minutes |
| Speaking | 10 minutes |
Thousands of employers, universities and government departments officially recognise the KET as a basic qualification in English. Although the KET is a basic exam, it offers a chance to find out your strengths and weaknesses in using English, and gives you a pathway to higher qualifications such as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate in English (FCE).
How can I prepare for this exam?
Students at Pre-Intermediate level would be the right level for this exam. You can practise KET tests at our IH Bangkok centre.
PET Preparation at IH Bangkok/p>
The Preliminary English Test (PET) is Cambridge ESOL's exam which recognises the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications.
What level do I need to be?
Intermediate
What does the exam consist of?
| PET Test Area | Time Limit |
| Reading & Writing | 90 minutes |
| Listening | 30 minutes |
| Speaking | 10 minutes |
How will it help me?
PET is a truly international certificate, recognised by administrative, industrial, and service-based employers as a qualification in intermediate English.
It is also accepted by a large number of educational institutions for study purposes.
Companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, Gillette and KPMG all recognise the value of PET in their overseas offices.
How can I prepare for this exam?
Students at Lower Intermediate level would be the right level for this exam. You can practise PET tests at our IH Bangkok centre.
FCE Preparation at IH Bangkok
What kind of exam is it?
This exam tests general language competency at Upper Intermediate level. It tests your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
What level do I need to be?
Upper Intermediate
What does the exam consist of?
There are 5 papers, taken on three separate days; papers 1-3 are taken on the same day:
| FCE Test Area | Time Limit |
| Reading comprehension | 1 hour |
| Writing | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Use of English | 45 minutes |
| Listening Comprehension | 40 minutes |
| Interview | 14 minutes |
How will it help me?
It is the most well known English language examination and is widely accepted by employers world-wide.
Passing the exam means you will be able to understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing, keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and presenting arguments and produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.
How can I prepare for this exam?
IH Bangkok offers special Cambridge Exam preparation courses to prepare students for this exam. You can also use practice tests at our IH Bangkok centre.
CAE Preparation at IH Bangkok
What kind of exam is it?
The Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE) is Cambridge ESOL's exam is for advanced users of English. This exam is aimed at people who can use written and spoken English for most professional and social purposes. It is widely recognised for work or study purposes.
What level do I need to be?
Advanced.
What does the exam consist of?
| CAE Test Area | Time Limit |
| Reading | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Writing | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Use of English | 1 hour |
| Listening | 40 minutes |
| Speaking | 15 minutes |
How will it help me?
CAE is a truly international exam, recognised by hundreds of employers as proof of advanced ability in English and also by universities and colleges as proof of ability to study in English to undergraduate level. Companies such as Microsoft, Airbus, IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers recognise the value of CAE in their overseas offices.
How can I prepare for this exam?
Students at Advanced level would be the right level for this exam. You can practise CAE tests at our IH Bangkok centre.
CPE Preparation at IH Bangkok
The Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE) is Cambridge ESOL's exam CPE is Cambridge ESOL's most advanced exam. It is aimed at people who use English for professional or study purposes.
What level do I need to be?
Proficient.
What does the exam consist of?
| CPE Test Area | Time Limit |
| Reading | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Writing | 2 hours |
| Use of English | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Listening | 45 minutes |
| Speaking | 19 minutes |
How will it help me?
CPE is a truly international exam, recognised by hundreds of employers as proof of proficiency in English and also by universities and colleges as proof of ability to study in English to undergraduate level. Companies such as Coca-Cola, IBM, Nestle, Sony, Procter & Gamble and Nokia recognise the value of CPE in their overseas offices.
How can I prepare for this exam?
Students at proficiency level would be the right level for this exam. You can practise CPE tests at our IH Bangkok centre.
