Earning an exam qualification is a great way to increase your career prospects so it’s important to choose the right one for you. At Castle School, we understand this decision can be daunting so here is some information about the exam classes we offer to help you decide:

At Castle School we offer exam preparation classes in FCE, CAE and IELTS. In these classes you will learn ways to read long texts, write in different styles and listen to longer audio pieces. You will learn about the exam and practise the best way to answer exam questions. Due to the advanced level, it is important that your English skills are suitable before you start your exam course.

What level do I need to be?

The FCE (First Certificate in English) is for students who have an upper-intermediate (B2) level of English.

The CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) is a high level qualification equivalent to C1. Students undertaking a CAE qualification should have already taken and passed the FCE.

IELTS tests the language ability of people who want to study or work where English is the form of communication. Most students taking IELTS require a band score of between 5 and 7. This is equivalent to B2 level and so if you want to get a good score in IELTS, you should have spent some time at that level before joining an IELTS class.

How long do I need to study?

The length of time it takes to earn one of these qualifications is dependent on many things, particularly on how good your English is when you begin your exam practice. Here at Castle School, we recommend at least 12 weeks of study at 15 hours per week for a student who is already at B2 level. We also suggest a large amount of self-study and completing all homework set in class. How long it takes and how well you do is largely affected by the effort you put into your studies. With hard work and support from Castle School’s friendly and professional teachers, you can get the score you want.

Contact info@castle-school.co.uk for more advice on booking the best English course for you.