Student Information
Exam
Information
Choose an English exam that supports your study, university, work or immigration goal. Emerald students can prepare with experienced teachers and receive practical guidance on booking the right test.
Find the Right Exam
Start with the result you need
Different tests serve different purposes. Confirm the exact exam, score, modules and result age accepted by your university, employer or immigration authority before you book.
Flexible four-skill certification
The Oxford Test of English is a modular, online proficiency test. Emerald is an approved test centre.
- Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing
- Standard test reports CEFR levels A2–B2
- Modules may be taken together or separately
Cambridge English qualification
Choose a level-specific qualification and prepare for the language, skills and task formats assessed at that level.
- B1 Preliminary (PET)
- B2 First (FCE)
- C1 Advanced (CAE)
Academic or programme goals
IELTS Academic can support higher-education goals, while TIE may meet the exit-exam requirement for eligible English-language programmes in Ireland.
- Check the target score or CEFR level
- Check the approved test version
- Check how recent the result must be
Your Exam Plan
Three steps to a confident test day
A clear goal makes preparation more efficient. Start with the organisation that needs your result, then work backwards from its requirements and deadline.
01
Confirm the purpose
Ask the receiving organisation which exam, test version, score or CEFR level it accepts and whether every skill must be completed in one sitting.
02
Check level and timing
Speak with Emerald’s Academic Team about your current level, preparation time and the available course or test dates. Book early when a fixed deadline applies.
03
Practise the exact format
Build all required skills, complete timed tasks and use teacher feedback to improve accuracy, fluency, strategy and test-day confidence.
Requirements and exam dates can change
Always confirm the current rules with the official exam provider and the organisation receiving your result. Emerald can guide your preparation and help with the booking route available to its students.
Oxford Test of English
Flexible online testing at Emerald
Approved test centre
Emerald is an approved Oxford Test of English centre. Contact the team for the next available session.
- Emerald centre number: IR0001
- Email: emerald@eci.ie
- Sessions are subject to centre availability
Test format
The standard Oxford Test of English is a computer-based, modular proficiency test aligned to CEFR levels A2, B1 and B2.
- Four modules: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing
- Reading and Listening adapt to the test taker
- All four modules take approximately two hours
Cambridge English Qualifications
Prepare for a recognised level-based exam
Popular qualification levels
Cambridge’s current names place the CEFR level first; the older abbreviations remain widely recognised and are shown here for clarity.
- B1 Preliminary — formerly PET
- B2 First — formerly FCE
- C1 Advanced — formerly CAE
Preparation and booking support
Emerald prepares students for the exam format and the language skills assessed. It is also a Cambridge examination venue and recognised preparation centre.
- Reading and Use of English where applicable
- Writing, Listening and Speaking
- Booking assistance through the Emerald team
IELTS
Prepare for your academic target
What IELTS assesses
IELTS reports an overall band score and individual scores for four language skills. Confirm whether your destination requires Academic, General Training or a specific secure version.
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing and Speaking
Emerald preparation
Emerald offers Academic IELTS preparation and helps students build the techniques needed to approach each section and work towards a target score.
- Courses run year-round
- Entry is subject to the required level
- The school can assist with the booking process
Results and acceptance
IELTS recommends that results are considered current for two years, but each university, employer or authority sets its own acceptance policy.
- Sit the test at an official IELTS centre
- Confirm the minimum overall score
- Check any minimum score for each skill
Test of Interactive English
A learner-centred exit exam
Speaking and writing
TIE is a task-based examination assessed against the Common European Framework of Reference. Adult candidates prepare a personal logbook before the test.
- A short project on a chosen subject
- A book read in English
- A followed news story
TIE at Emerald
Emerald is a TIE test centre, and its Academic Team can support preparation and booking. TIE is recognised as an exit exam for eligible English-language programmes in Ireland.
- Ask the school about the next available session
- Confirm the exit requirement for your programme
- Complete the required preparation tasks
Other Exam Support
Preparation beyond the main options
If your goal requires another examination, begin with the official acceptance requirements. Emerald may be able to support your preparation through supervised study or individual tuition.
TOEIC and Trinity
Ask Emerald about preparation support, then confirm the exact test, provider, score and booking route with the organisation that needs your result.
- Bring the official test specification
- Focus study on the assessed skills
- Book only after confirming acceptance
Use current exam products
BULATS was discontinued by Cambridge English at the end of 2019. For workplace or institutional testing, check whether a current option such as Linguaskill is appropriate and accepted.
- Do not book a retired qualification
- Check the latest provider information
- Ask the receiving organisation before changing tests
Not sure which exam to choose?
Tell Emerald what the result is for, your deadline and your target level or score. The Academic Team can help you identify the most suitable preparation route and explain the booking support available through the school.
- emerald@eci.ie
- Oxford Test of English centre: IR0001
- Confirm requirements with the organisation receiving your result