Cambridge C1, IELTS, Bilingual Matura… a quick guide to advanced English exams

Confused about which exam to take, or how they are different? Read on to find out the basics on some of the most popular exams which can prove you have mastered English at an advanced level.

Many universities abroad require an English certificate for admission. A certificate from Cambridge was what allowed me to get into university in the UK, too. I took this picture on the very first day I arrived. I was disappointed to discover my department looked nowhere near as cool as this administrative building.

If you’re taking the exam for work

An English language certificate can look impressive to employers, and motivate you to advance your English and feel more confident navigating international work environments. If this sounds like what you need, go for Cambridge C1 (previously known as CAE, Certificate in Advanced English) or, if your level isn’t quite there yet, Cambridge B2 (previously known as FCE, First Certificate in English).

The Cambridge certificates are widely known and respected, and they tend to check your knowledge of General English. The Writing paper includes tasks such as essay writing as well as writing a report, a proposal or a formal email, which can be useful skills to have in the workplace. In the Speaking exam, you will need to show that you can communicate and make decisions in conversation with another candidate, which will also encourage you to develop the sort of language that will be useful during work meetings.

Unlike the IELTS exam, the Cambridge certificates have no expiration date. Even if you don’t need the certificate right away, you can pass the exam and then continue adding the certificate to your CV for years to come.

Be mindful that depending on your profession, there might be other exams available. You may want to look into Business English-specific exams, for instance. If you’re applying to work in the UK or the US and need an exam for a working visa, check their guidelines, too; for instance, the UK government often recommends IELTS General Training.

If you’re taking the exam for studying abroad

If you’re doing a year abroad or applying to a foreign university, first check their website for guidance, as different universities may have different rules. In most cases, a Cambridge C1 exam will be accepted. Some universities also accept students who have achieved good results on Matura Rozszerzona or Matura Dwujęzyczna.

IELTS Academic, however, remains the preferred exam at most European universities. This is because unlike the Cambridge exams, IELTS Academic is designed specifically to verify whether you possess the English skills required in an academic setting. In the Writing paper, you will be asked to write an essay and a short analysis of data given to you in the form of a graph or table. In the Speaking exam, which you will take individually, you will be asked to discuss more complex topics with the examiner and defend your opinion. The Listening and Reading will also include the sort of texts you may be expected to understand during your university course, such as a lecture or a journal article.

IELTS Academic has an expiration date of two years. This means that you should only take the exam once you are actively applying to a university.

Careful: don’t get confused! IELTS has two versions: IELTS Academic (meant for university candidates) and IELTS General Training (meant for people moving abroad for work, particularly in the UK).

Another extra note: if you’re applying to study outside of Europe or the UK, check with your university on their preferred exam. Elsewhere in the world, a similar exam to IELTS called TOEFL may be required.

If I pass the IELTS, what level am I?

When you take the IELTS Academic, you are awarded with a grade which shows your language ability. This means that even if you do badly, you will still get a certificate, just with a lower grade. Different universities will have different IELTS grade requirements for candidates. Many universities require a 6.0 (this is around B2 level) or 6.5 (B2+) for undergraduate study, and a 7.0 (C1) or higher for postgraduate study — but this depends hugely on the university in question. Check the admissions website for info!

If you need the exam for university in Poland

If you’re applying to Polish universities, your Matura scores are key. You may be aware that many universities award more points in the recruitment process to students who have taken Matura Rozszerzona over Matura Podstawowa. Did you know, however, that some universities also award extra points for Matura Dwujęzyczna?

In format, Matura Dwujęzyczna and Matura Rozszerzona are very similar. Matura Dwujęzyczna lasts a little longer and asks you to write, read and listen to longer, more complex texts, but the task types are largely alike. There is also an additional speaking exam at bilingual level which may not be necessary for all students to take (you may be obligated to take this if you’re in a bilingual class). The skills tested by the exam are also fairly similar to those tested by the Cambridge C1 exam, so you may find it useful to prepare using materials dedicated for Cambridge C1 — there are many more on the market.

If you need the exam to graduate from university

Some Polish universities require their students to pass a B2 or C1 level English exam before graduating. It is usually possible to present them with a Cambridge certificate at the appropriate level and be exempt from the exam — that is, if you have a Cambridge certificate, you may not need to take this additional test. If this is the case at your university, it can be a great motivator: working toward a C1 Cambridge certificate, in particular, will help you develop your academic skills. It will also look more impressive to future employees than a university-administered exam would. Check with your university before you sign up, though!

If you’re taking the exam for yourself

Even if you do not yet have a clear purpose in mind, preparing for a language certification can be a great motivator, as well as help you focus your learning. If you have space in your life right now and would like to challenge yourself, my advice would be to look into obtaining a Cambridge B2 or C1 exam (or maybe even the C2!). Since it is focused on General English and tests all key aspects of language, it will encourage you to develop in all areas. And as it has no expiration date, it can always come in useful later down the road!

Which exam is easier: IELTS or Cambridge C1?

There is no easy answer to this question, as it will depend entirely on your personal strengths and preferences.

If you have passed the Matura in English, Cambridge C1 will have a more familiar structure.

If you find grammar tasks and vocabulary tasks such as gap fills or sentence transformations challenging, you may find the IELTS easier: it has no such tasks at all. However, it does not mean you don’t need to work on grammar and vocabulary for the exam, as you will be expected to show your knowledge when reading, writing and speaking.

The IELTS usually requires more exam-focused preparation, particularly for the Writing task: it requires an academic approach that you may not be so familiar with. However, this is entirely a matter of practice.

Overall, it’s best to simply choose the exam based on what you need it for (work, school, etc.).

Still confused?

Explore the official IELTS Academic site, Cambridge B2 or Cambridge C1 site, for detailed information on these exams. If you’re preparing for Matura, many past papers and sample papers are available online or in bookstores.

If you’ve decided you would like to get certified but aren’t sure which exam to choose, you can also book a consultation with me. I will give you some advice on which exam I think might be best for you. Contact me here!