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Exam preparation: Adult learners
Exam preparation: Adult learners

In this article, you will find materials for exams helpful while preparing adult students for certain exams and certificates.

Updated over a month ago

We strongly recommend watching the full Exam Preparation webinar for comprehensive guidance.

Alongside IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and Cambridge exams, we’ve also included the Versant and APTIS exams.

IELTS

The IELTS is one of the most sought-after exams worldwide. The first thing to understand is that it comes in three distinct types.

IELTS Academic: for students who want to enroll in universities

IELTS General Training: for life skills like work experience and immigration purposes

IELTS Life Skills: to prove English speaking and listening skills. Immigrants take it to apply for a family or a settled person visa.

Duration: Two hours and 45 minutes

Score: 1-9

Parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The speaking part is conducted face-to-face, with an examiner.

IELTS Test Report Forms are valid for two years.

Resources:

TOEFL

TOEFL measures the ability to use and understand English at the university level.

Online or paper based

Duration: About two hours

Score: 0-120

Parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The speaking part uses microphone recording.

TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

Resources:

TOEIC

TOEIC is a specialised English exam, popular in Asia and the U.S., starting with the mandatory Listening and Reading test. Candidates can then take optional Speaking and Writing tests, with certificates combined to demonstrate proficiency. Though IELTS and TOEFL are more widely recognized, TOEIC is valued for job-related language skills. The less common TOEIC Bridge exam is rarely used.

Online or paper-based

TOEIC Listening and Reading

TOEIC Speaking and Writing

TOEIC Bridge (A1-A2)

Duration: About two hours

Score: 10-990, 10-200

Parts: Depends on the type

TOEIC scores are valid for two years.

Resources:

Cambridge Exams

Levels:

KET - elementary level (A2)

PET - intermediate level (B1)

B2 First (previously FCE) - upper intermediate level (B2)

C1 Advanced (previously CAE) - advanced level (C1)

C2 Proficiency (previously CPE) - proficient level (C2)

Linguaskill - all levels

Online or paper-based

Duration: From 140 to 200 minutes depending on the level.

Score: Pass or Fail, except for Linguaskill-0-180+

Parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The speaking part is conducted with two examiners and one or two other candidates.

Cambridge exams have no expiry date.

Resources:

Students can purchase digital or paper copies of the coursebooks we use during Cambridge exam preparation:

Pearson's Gold Experience A2+

Pearson's Gold B2 First (FCE)

Pearson's Gold Experience C1 (CAE)

Please contact our team if your student would like to buy them.

Versant Professional English Test

The Versant Professional English Test checks how well we know English in different work situations. It’ll give us more than just a score – it’ll help students see how good they are at talking and understanding English at work.

Resources:

The APTIS Exam

APTIS is a modern computerized test designed to assess the English language proficiency of current or potential employees. It offers a quick and efficient evaluation of language skills, indicating the test taker's level on the Council of Europe (CEFR) scale.

Resources:

Aptis Candidate Guide 2020 - Detailed guide providing insights into the format, structure, and expectations of the APTIS exam.

Aptis Advanced Candidate Guide 2020 - Advanced candidate guide offering comprehensive information for those aiming for higher proficiency levels in the APTIS exam.

Aptis Exam Library - Explore a comprehensive library of APTIS exam resources, including study materials and practice tests.

Practice Materials - Access a variety of practice materials to prepare for the APTIS exam, including sample questions and mock tests.

IBIS - APTIS Preparation - Access IBIS resources for APTIS exam preparation, including study guides and tips for success.

Studocu - APTIS Training Material - Study material specifically designed to help you prepare for the APTIS exam efficiently and effectively.

TEFLtastic - APTIS Worksheets - Browse a collection of worksheets tailored for APTIS exam practice, covering various language skills and proficiency levels.

How to Use the Books Provided by Fluentbe

Fluentbe offers access to various books, all with a similar setup.

Since all books are shared, please erase any notes, comments, or annotations before closing to keep materials clear for all users.

Avoid saving login credentials, as this can lead to technical issues when switching between different books.

To open a book, simply click on “Open Materials,” which will launch the content in a new tab.

If you see a “Request Access” pop-up, please disregard it. Access is automatically granted through Fluentbe’s system.

Use the credentials provided under the “Open Materials” button. Avoid saving them to prevent technical issues when switching between different books.

Once signed in, you’ll see a dashboard. Choose the “Learn” tab and select the book assigned to your course, ensuring it’s the correct one.

You’ll then be directed to the bookshelf, where you can find the coursebook.

The e-book is designed to be interactive, featuring embedded audio and video files for an enhanced learning experience. Additionally, various tools are available to customize your studying environment.

You can adjust the page display settings to suit your preferences and easily resize the text for optimal reading comfort.

Look for the star icon next to certain exercises, which indicates the availability of interactive versions. Clicking on these icons will open the exercises in a new tab for easy access.

Make use of the toolbar, which includes annotation tools.

To access teaching notes and additional materials, including teaching notes and extra activities, click "Teach" and explore.

The correct answer key can be found by following the provided link.

By using these resources, you’ll gain access to valuable materials designed to support your students through every step of their exam journey.

Check out this article on Technical issues with Oxford and Pearson Books for further help.

For further insights and techniques, don’t forget to check out the Exam Preparation webinar, where you’ll find in-depth strategies to maximize your students' performance on exam day.

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