Questions tagged [language-exams]

Questions about the language exams which the applicants to academic programs may sit to prove their language skills.

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Why do universities consider TOEFL IBT scores by sections, but IELTS scores as an overall band score?

I am aiming to apply for PhD in USA. As I've reviewed the admission requirements for certain universities I noticed that in most of the cases TOEFL scores are considered by sections. For example, in ...
JohnNash's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
95 views

Recognized Language tests/certificates other than IELTS and TOEFL

Which other Language tests/certificates are recognized other than IELTS and TOEFL, especially if one wants to study a Masters in European countries like Italy ? IELTS and TOEFL may not be affordable ...
DSP_CS's user avatar
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1 answer
130 views

send a language document after phd interview?

I did the PhD interview two weeks ago, and in the application before I mentioned French as a language I speak, but in the interview they only tested another language, and in the application, I didn't ...
user18602524's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
190 views

Can I take the English language proficiency test after I am accepted in a PhD program in the UK?

I am a student from India, and have applied for some PhD positions in the UK. All the universities asked for scores of one English language proficiency test. Some of them had an option to request a ...
Wrichik Basu's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Addressing the shortcoming in IELTS results

I'm applying for fall 2023 and I took the IELTS Academic but scored an overall of 7 with a writing 6. I'm planning to retake the test. Should I mention this in the sop? I wrote this: Despite having ...
Ali Moradi's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
273 views

Am I considered to be a native speaker of English if I was born in the US? [closed]

I'm applying for graduate colleges right now in the US. I was born there and did school till 7th grade and then shifted to India where I have been for the last 10 years until now. English is my first ...
Rukia Kuch's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
134 views

Among IELTS and TOEFL test, which is more suitable for applying in US for PhD programme?

I have completed by masters with good grades from University of Calcutta, India. I wish to pursue doctoral research in USA in the subject of Geography. But, I am in a state of uncertainty as to which ...
Deepangshu Chandra's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
831 views

Will universities accept my application if IELTS score not arrive before deadline?

I will get my IELTS result on 25th November. My test centre told me, if I electronically send my IELTS score to my university, it generally takes around 10 business days. Now, even if I send my test ...
Ishrat Hossain's user avatar
32 votes
6 answers
11k views

My native language is English but I was raised in a different country, how do I prove my native language?

I was born in the US and stayed for a little over 2 years, thus English and Spanish (my parents' native languages) are both my native languages. I've stayed in near constant contact with English and ...
Aeren Munoz's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
197 views

Is TOEFL minimum score strict in UK? [closed]

I recently gave TOEFL and got 99 with only 20 in writing. However the 6.5 equivalent of IELTS corresponds to minimum 23 in writing. Do I need to redo the test?
Nitish's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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I got a low score on my English proficiency test, should I explain it?

Is it OK to write a cover letter with my PhD applications to explain why I got a low (6.5) score in IELTS listening? Can I mention I had a lot of stress I couldn't prepare for IELTS, and I also was ...
V_head's user avatar
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0 answers
3k views

IELTS score in which section of my cv?

Where should I put my IELTS score? Under certifications or in the language section where I include my native language and English? My overall is 8.0, and I scored 9.0 in reading and 8.5 in listening. ...
SMMousaviSP's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Perfect TOEFL reading/writing/listening scores but low speaking score due to stutter. How will this affect PhD admissions?

I am fairly comfortable with English as a second language and have been studying at schools with English as the primary language for the last 9 years. I also have multiple semesters worth of ...
hex's user avatar
  • 414
11 votes
5 answers
4k views

Would having two words in my surname in my passport be a problem for US colleges/GRE/TOEFL?

I'm Indian and my full name is X Y Z (such as John Doe Johnson). In my passport, Given Name is X and Surname is Y Z. Would that be any issue? Or should I get it corrected to update Given Name to X Y ...
Ravi Pandit's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
222 views

How to design a translation test [closed]

I teach a language course on 1st year BA level. The students should be able to translate basic sentences, and this is to be tested in a written exam. I'm looking for resources on how to design the ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

I submitted the correct essay in an exam, but I did not remove my draft outline at the beginning of the essay. Is it going be a problem?

I was taking a language exam that asked us to finish writing an essay. Because of COVID, the exam went online and used Canvas as the platform. Neither scratch paper nor any other software was allowed ...
ALP's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
226 views

Bad score in IELTS, should I send it anyway?

A graduate program I'm applying for in mathematics requires fluency in English but didn't set the lower bound for the IELTS score. I'm very good at English but I went to the test unprepared and got ...
A witch's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
97 views

Do undergrads need an Italian language certification to get into a master's program in Italy?

For international students, do applicants need to demonstrate Italian skills for most Master's programs (except of course the ones taught in English) in Italian universities?
Sam's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
431 views

Would language difficulties be considered a valid excuse for a poor masters performance when applying for a PhD?

I recently completed a masters in a foreign country. I didn't know the language until the summer directly before, and foolishly thought that taking courses in a different language would be an ...
ggclip's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
25k views

Is EF-SET English Certificate accepted?

Is EF-SET English Certificate accepted for higher education or jobs across the world? Did anyone try using that? I have not yet seen any place where they accept this.
Arindam Ghosh's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
146 views

How would native english speakers do in a Proficiency exam? [closed]

Everyday I get more surprised about the native language level of people. It looks like the habit of everyday talking tends to negatively bias their language level. I’ve seen around some similar ...
John's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
165 views

IELTS - How is the exam handed to students? [closed]

My wife and I are taking the IELTS exam in a few days and this question just occurred to me - When taking the test, do students receive the whole listening/reading/writing package or do they receive ...
thiagoveloso's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
7k views

Is there an English Proficiency Test with lifetime validity? [closed]

IELTS and TOEFL are valid for a period of 2 years only. Is there any English language proficiency test with a lifetime (or more than 2 years) validity? Which is the scope of the test, in terms of ...
flamingo_stark's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
91 views

Graduate Program - CCNY Language Exam [closed]

Got into the Art History program and see that I have to pass a language exam at some point during my studies. Has anyone here taken the exam? I'd be taking it in Spanish. I can maintain a ...
StructureD's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
218 views

Do I need to sit for TOEFL or SAT? [closed]

I'm actually an United States citizen who has been living and being educated in Malaysia. So currently my family decided to send me back to the States to continue my future studies. Some people told ...
gsey's user avatar
  • 3
1 vote
3 answers
900 views

TOEFL Score and Teaching Assistantship

How does my TOEFL score affect my odds of being granted a TA in US Universities? I'm an international student BTW.
Ashrith's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
577 views

English requirement for Teaching Assistantship for Ph.D students [closed]

I am applying to Ph.D programs of universities of America as an international student. I currently have an 8.0 IELTS with 7.0 Speaking, and a TOEFL with lower points: Reading, Listening and Writing:...
Marcos G Neil's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
888 views

In the GRE, why are we allowed to use calculators and not dictionaries? [closed]

Basic arithmetic is pretty trivial, but it can take time and is often very tedious for large quantities and so they allow us to use calculators when writing the GRE (Graduate Records Examination). ...
Rockstar5645's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
3k views

Do I have to sit again for TOEFL? [closed]

I want to apply for (top) US PhD programs until this December for being potentially admitted in September 2019. This personal information is relevant to my question: Bachelors in non English-...
Outcast's user avatar
  • 161
3 votes
1 answer
550 views

What can I do if my English level is lower than the minimum requirements? [closed]

I am applying for a Masters degree. An IELTS with an overall Band score of at least 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 for each section is required. I have taken the test and my overall score is 7 but in ...
Dimitris's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
344 views

Do international students need to take the SAT and TOEFL to study in the US?

I am from Colombia and would like to do grad school in the United States. It seems in order to study I need to take the SAT and TOEFL exams? Is this correct or does it depend on the university?
Jamie S's user avatar
  • 31
28 votes
2 answers
15k views

How do universities verify your native language?

Many universities require that your native language be English or you will have to submit proof of language proficiency. Usually if you lie and say English is your native language while all other ...
Rufus's user avatar
  • 683
1 vote
1 answer
272 views

How graduate admission committees choose between TOEFL scores?

I recently took the TOEFL test and my score didn't satisfy me, even the result is above the minimum requirement for almost all universities. If I will retake the test and send my new score for ...
Hasek's user avatar
  • 517
4 votes
2 answers
655 views

Are there any language requirements for citizen applicants with low English skills?

I see from a university website that "if you are not a citizen of one of the following countries..." [a list of countries], "you will need to take the TOEFL before enrolling." (USA is not on the list,...
Ken - Enough about Monica's user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
3k views

Should I provide TOEFL/IELTS results for a PhD admission?

So I'm a citizen of non-English speaking country, but my master's program in STEM field is fully conducted in English. Should I provide TOEFL/IELTS results when applying for a PhD program in USA or ...
Hasek's user avatar
  • 517
-1 votes
2 answers
380 views

TOEFL or IELTS - Which is more likely to be substituted for the other? [closed]

English is sadly my only language even though my parents and majority of my relatives are bilingual, and I completed my bachelor's and master's in a university where the medium of instruction is ...
BCLC's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
2 answers
128 views

Language certificates when applying to positions in the USA

I am non-US citizen and I want to apply for an academic position in the USA. At which point do I need to show up a language certificate? For example, together with the job application, or together ...
Ambicion's user avatar
  • 5,480
1 vote
2 answers
111 views

Is it possible to obtain an English certification online? [closed]

Assume that you are applying for a certain position and they require a proof that you master a given language at a certain level. Are there websites where you can fill out tests and obtain a ...
Karlo's user avatar
  • 499
1 vote
1 answer
151 views

Planning to retake English language test for PhD admissions in the UK, but listed previous average in my CV - should I contact professor to explain?

I participated to an English language test in the autumn. My average score was very good, and above the requirement of a program I am applying to. However, the score of one of the sub-components was ...
comma's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
4k views

Does Oxford ever waive the IELTS language requirement? [closed]

This question is quite specific but I believe it applies to other school of similar rank. I have the following kind of IELTS English language test result: Speaking: 8, Listening: 7.5, Reading: 8....
argh's user avatar
  • 21
3 votes
1 answer
303 views

Can I use the sealed TOEFL score report I receive from ETS as an official score report

ETS sends a score report to me after each TOEFL exam in a sealed envelope. And since I already have online access to my scores, I would like to know if I can use the sealed score report as an official ...
The Hiary's user avatar
  • 5,163
3 votes
6 answers
741 views

Would creating an online flash card deck for GRE study help overcome a weak TOEFL score?

My TOEFL score is 85, but the minimum requirement of the school I'm applying to is 90. My GRE verbal score is also not very good. However, I have dedicated a month to contribute to the community of ...
Ooker's user avatar
  • 8,170
1 vote
4 answers
5k views

How recent should the English language certificate be to apply for Master thesis?

When applying for Master in an European country, English certificates such as CAE, CPE, TOEFL, IELTS are required. Is there a limit about the "age" of the certificate? I got CPE 5 or 6 years ago. Is ...
NickyR's user avatar
  • 436
2 votes
1 answer
394 views

Half points and IELTS overall band score categories

My IELTS overall band score is 8.5 and I am wondering what to call it, i.e. what's the name of the category for this score. Rounding rules of half scores in terms of categories is not explained in The ...
patrik's user avatar
  • 21
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Do I need to take the TOEFL Exam?

I studied in the US up until the 6th grade, came back to India, completed high school here and finished a bachelor degree in computer science here in India. All my education in India was completed in ...
Gabby Newell's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
334 views

What is generally expected on language exams for humanities students?

Graduate students (at least in the US) often have to take foreign language competency exams, particularly if they are in the humanities. In things like classics or Biblical studies, I might expect a ...
user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
144 views

Language requirements for postgraduate studies in UK and Canada?

Universities are autonomous institutions with independent requirements and decision making procedures, on the other hand there must be some widely recognized standards. What is the most recognized ...
Ziezi's user avatar
  • 137
0 votes
1 answer
4k views

Should I give partly score of my English certification in my CV?

I am writing a CV to get admission of a scholarship to study a PhD program in the US. My IELTS score is quite low, only 6.5/9, just enough to pass the door. However, my reading score is quite high, 8/...
Ooker's user avatar
  • 8,170
7 votes
3 answers
384 views

Are IELTS past tests available for students preparing for the exam?

I want to know a way to find past IELTS questions. If they are available freely? Are there good exams for all modules? (Specially Listening)
Débora's user avatar
  • 173
5 votes
2 answers
250 views

How to deal with Educational Testing Service (ETS) inefficiency and awful post-exam service?

I took the TOEFL test more than three months ago (outside US). Well before my deadlines. But I haven't received the paper scores yet and I shall mail them to the admission committees as an obligatory ...
lu_19's user avatar
  • 51