In order to inform students who are interested in continuing their academic training in the various educational systems around the world, many governments, international organizations, and higher education institutions are constantly working on the idea of establishing certificates and exams that assess specific competencies in terms of foreign language proficiency and thus enable options to pursue higher education studies in a language other than their native language.

ENGLISH EXAMS

IELTS

International English Language Test System, certifies knowledge of the English language and measures competencies in listening, writing, speaking and reading. It also offers several modalities: academic, general, Life-skills, and UKVI.

This test is required to access undergraduate and postgraduate programs, while certification through the general exam is required for job opportunities. The UKVI is required for immigration procedures in the United Kingdom, while the Life Skills exam applies to those who want to demonstrate listening and speaking skills at basic levels A1, A2, and B1. It is worth mentioning that the IETLS is particularly valid in the United Kingdom, some European countries, Asia and Oceania.

In this exam, each competency is measured in a range from 0 to 9.0, and an average score is given for all four ranges. Higher education institutions generally require 5.5 to 7.5 to access undergraduate and graduate programs. It is valid for two years from the date of presentation.

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language is an English standardized test for non-native English speakers, created by the ETS organization. It also measures language skills or competencies and is valid in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It is valid for two years after the date of presentation.

There are several options for TOEFL. For example, the traditional TOEFL-IBT test is taken at an authorized center via computer. The TOEFL-IBT Home edition is taken online from home, and the TOEFL Paper-edition, which is taken at an authorized center but not by computer, instead by hand.

The score includes a total of 120 points, divided into 4 competencies, each with 30 points. Generally, foreign universities require a minimum score between 80 and 90 points to grant admission to an academic program.

ITEP

International Test of English Proficiency is a test that measures two, four, or five language skills, depending on the modality chosen: ITEP Academic for undergraduate and graduate students; ITEP Business Plus for the workplace; ITEP Hospitality for the hotel and tourism sector; and ITEP Slate for baccalaureate or high school students.

It measures the following skills: grammar, oral comprehension, reading, writing, and conversation. It awards between 0 and 6 points, with 6 being the maximum score. To access academic programs, the minimum score is 3.8, which is equivalent to a B2 level in the Common European Framework.

FRENCH EXAMS

DELF

Diploma of French language studies. This certificate is issued by the French Ministry of National Education and it is required for foreign citizens or French citizens whose native language is not French. Its validity is indefinite, unlike other international language exams.

It evaluates levels A1 to B2. Candidates must register indicating the modality they are interested in and if they obtain the minimum score, they receive the respective certification.

DALF

Advanced Diploma of French language. This certificate is also issued by the French Ministry of National Education and works in the same way as the DELF, but at advanced levels of language command, i.e. C1 and C2.

TEF

All audiences: This French evaluation test measures competencies to function in work and academic environments. It consists of a compulsory test, which evaluates oral and written comprehension, as well as the command of the structure of the language, and two optional tests that evaluate oral and written production. It is valid for two years and gives access to the application for residence in the Canadian territory of Quebec, in France and in Switzerland.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE EXAMS

CELI

Università per Stranieri di Perugia (Certificazioni di conoscenza della lingua italiana). This test is for adults in school. It evaluates abilities in the use of the Italian language. It is used for work and study purposes. In addition to the traditional CELI certificates, there are other modalities, such as the CELI Immigrati (for immigrants) and CELI Adolescenti (for adolescents).

The Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research (MIUR), establishes the CELI 3 certification for studying at university. The CELI 4 and CELI 5 certificates demonstrate advanced language skills.

The CELI exam is held in three annual sessions (in spring, summer and autumn), at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, in Italy, at the official sites and at the Italian cultural institutes abroad.

CILS

Università per Stranieri di Siena. This certification is a diploma or certificate issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena. It certifies the level of knowledge of Italian, according to the reference levels of the Common European Framework for Foreign Languages, from level A1 (basic) to level C2 (advanced).

The CILS B2 and C1 are required by Italian universities for admission to academic programs taught in Italian. They are also valid for citizenship applications.

PLIDA

Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri. This is a diploma issued by the Società Dante Alighieri di Roma, a cultural organization endorsed by the Italian state, which coordinates the Dante Alighieri Associations in the world. For this reason, it has a high international recognition. This certificate qualifies competences and classifies the level of command of the language, from A1 to C2.

PORTUGUESE EXAMS

CAPLE EXAMS

The evaluation and certification system of Portuguese as a foreign language is a set of official international exams that demonstrate the skills in mastering the language. They are endorsed by the CAMOES Institute of Portugal and are aligned with the levels of the Common European Framework.

Depending on the level of command of the language, candidates take various tests to enter Portuguese and Brazilian universities: ACCESS (A1), CIPLE (A2), DEPLE (B1), DIPLE (B2), DAPLE (C1) and DUPLE (C2).

CELPE-BRAS

This certificate of proficiency in the Portuguese language for foreigners is granted to citizens whose native language is not Portuguese, and who demonstrate abilities in mastering the language. It is carried out by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, and it is the only official Brazilian certificate of Portuguese language that recognizes four levels: intermediate, upper intermediate, advanced and advanced higher.

Nora Helena Cepeda Faciolince, director of Sergio Arboleda University Language Center, emphasizes the English tests and the score to be obtained to meet the degree requirement:

TOEFL IBT: 47 points.
IELTS: score of 4.0
ITEP: score of 2.5.

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