CHENNAI: Students who wish to study in the UK and Australia now have the option of taking the Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) instead of the IELTS.
The Cambridge ESOL, a not-for-profit wing of the Cambridge University, announced the introduction of the Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), an English language proficiency test in India which is now recognised by the UK Border agency (UKBA) and Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Sanjay Mallaviya, CEO of Planet EDU, which is the partner group in this initiative of Cambridge ESOL, outlined the advantages of the Cambridge English Advanced or Certificate in Advanced English (CAE). He said it is not only recognised by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for Australian student visas, it is also accepted by the UK Border Agency as meeting the requirement for Tier 4 student visas. Moreover, UCAS (UK Universities and colleges Admission Services) will award students with high grades in CAE with bonus tariff points towards their university and college applications.
Comparing the IELTS with the CAE, Sanjay said CAE will be marked by the Cambridge ESOL directly compared to IELTS that is marked locally. Moreover the CAE test fee is much less than other English language tests.
The CAE will not only cover the four skills tested by the other exams, but also the knowledge of grammar and vocabulary skills of the test taker. It will also include a personal speaking test with two examiners, which will be used for a thorough assessment of the ability to use English. The test will be available in both computer- based and paper-based formats.
The CAE is taken in 110 countries around the world and recognised by more than 2,800 organisations. The test will be available in 27 centres in the country. For more information, visit the website: www.caeexam.com.