Exam Preparation Hub

Which Exams We Cover

Studying, working, or migrating abroad usually means proving your English ability with a recognised exam — and most learners quickly discover there is more than one option, each accepted in different places for different purposes. This hub brings together LexFizz’s three exam preparation guides in one place so you can see how they compare before you commit to a study plan.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most widely recognised exam for UK, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand universities, employers, and immigration authorities. TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is produced by ETS and is the exam most commonly requested for university admission in the United States and Canada. Cambridge English Qualifications — specifically B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) — certify a specific CEFR level and are widely accepted across Europe and beyond for work, study, and general proficiency purposes.

All three exams test the same four core skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — but they differ in format, scoring, and how long the result stays valid. The comparison below covers the essentials; each linked guide goes into full detail on test format, scoring, and free practice for every skill.

The Three Exams at a Glance

Which Exam Should I Take?

There is no single “best” exam — the right choice depends on where you are applying and what that institution or authority actually accepts. Use the table below as a starting point, then confirm the exact requirement with your target university, employer, or visa authority.

Factor	IELTS	TOEFL iBT	Cambridge FCE / CAE
Typically required by	UK, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand universities; UKVI; professional bodies (NMC, GMC)	US and Canadian universities and colleges	Universities, employers, and general proficiency across Europe and beyond
Test versions	Academic and General Training	Single format (no split)	Separate exams per CEFR level: B2 First, C1 Advanced
Speaking format	Face-to-face interview with one examiner	Recorded responses on computer	Face-to-face, paired with another candidate and two examiners
Scoring	Band 1–9 (average of 4 skills)	0–120 total (4 sections x 0–30)	Grade (Pass, Pass with Merit, Pass with Distinction) + CEFR level
Result validity	2 years	2 years	Does not expire

If you are choosing between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training specifically, our Academic vs General IELTS guide covers that decision in depth — this hub focuses on the choice between the three different exam bodies rather than the two IELTS versions.

IELTS: Best for UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, and is accepted by more than 11,000 organisations in over 140 countries. It offers two versions — Academic, for higher education and professional registration, and General Training, for work visas, secondary education, and migration — with identical Listening and Speaking components but different Reading and Writing tasks. Results are reported as a band score from 1 to 9 and remain valid for two years.

Choose IELTS if your target university, employer, or visa authority is in the UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, or if you need professional registration with bodies such as the NMC or GMC. Our full IELTS Preparation Guide covers band score requirements, test format, and skill-by-skill strategy for all four components.

TOEFL: Best for US and Canadian University Admission

TOEFL iBT is produced by ETS and has a single test format with no Academic/General split, making it more straightforward to register for than IELTS. The test is taken entirely on computer, and Speaking responses are recorded rather than delivered to a live examiner — a key structural difference from IELTS and Cambridge exams. Each of the four sections is scored from 0 to 30, giving a total out of 120, and results are valid for two years.

Choose TOEFL if you are applying to universities or colleges in the United States or Canada, where it remains the most commonly requested exam, though many US institutions also accept IELTS. See our full TOEFL Preparation Guide for section-by-section format, scoring bands, and free practice resources.

Cambridge FCE / CAE: A Certificate That Never Expires

Cambridge English Qualifications are produced by Cambridge Assessment English, part of the University of Cambridge, and each qualification targets a specific CEFR level rather than a wide score range. B2 First (FCE) certifies upper-intermediate English at CEFR B2; C1 Advanced (CAE) certifies advanced English at CEFR C1. Both share a four-paper structure — Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking — and the Speaking test is taken in pairs with two candidates and two examiners, testing natural interaction rather than a one-to-one interview.

Choose Cambridge FCE or CAE if you want a permanent record of your English level rather than a result that expires, or if your target institution or employer specifically asks for a Cambridge qualification. Our full Cambridge Exam Preparation Guide compares FCE and CAE format, scoring, and practice resources in detail.

Explore Each Exam Guide

Frequently Asked Questions about Exam Preparation

Which English exam should I take: IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge FCE/CAE?

It depends on your destination and purpose. IELTS is the most widely accepted exam for UK, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand universities, employers, and immigration authorities. TOEFL iBT is the preferred exam for university admission in the United States and Canada. Cambridge FCE (B2 First) and CAE (C1 Advanced) are best if you want a lifetime certificate of a specific CEFR level rather than a score that expires, and are widely accepted for general work, study, and travel purposes across Europe and beyond. Always check the specific exam your target institution or authority requires before you register.

What is the main difference between IELTS and TOEFL?

IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, offers separate Academic and General Training versions, and includes a face-to-face Speaking interview with a human examiner. TOEFL iBT is produced by ETS, has a single test format with no Academic/General split, and records your Speaking responses on a computer rather than delivering them to a live examiner. IELTS reports a band score from 1 to 9; TOEFL reports a total score from 0 to 120.

How does Cambridge FCE/CAE differ from IELTS and TOEFL?

Unlike IELTS and TOEFL, which report a score or band that is valid for two years, Cambridge English Qualifications such as B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) target a specific CEFR level and the resulting certificate does not expire. Cambridge Speaking tests are also taken in pairs, with two candidates and two examiners, testing natural interaction rather than a one-to-one interview or a recorded response.

Do IELTS and TOEFL scores expire?

Yes. Both IELTS band scores and TOEFL total scores are typically valid for two years from the test date. After that, most universities, employers, and immigration authorities will no longer accept the result, so you would need to retake the test.

Does a Cambridge FCE or CAE certificate expire?

No. Cambridge English qualifications such as B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) do not expire. Once you pass, the certificate remains valid for life as a record of your English level at the time you took the exam.

Which exam is better for university admission in the United States?

TOEFL iBT is the exam most commonly requested by universities and colleges in the United States, though many US institutions also accept IELTS. Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) is accepted by a growing number of universities but is less universally requested than IELTS or TOEFL for US admissions. Always confirm accepted exams on your target institution’s admissions page.

Which exam is better for UK, Australian, or Canadian visas and universities?

IELTS is the most widely required exam for UK Visas and Immigration, and for university admission in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) is also accepted by many UK universities and by UK Visas and Immigration for some visa categories. TOEFL is accepted by some UK and Australian institutions but is far more commonly associated with US and Canadian admissions.

How are the three exams scored differently?

IELTS reports a band score from 1 to 9 for each of the four skills, averaged to an overall band. TOEFL iBT scores each of the four sections from 0 to 30, added together for a total out of 120. Cambridge FCE and CAE report a grade (such as Pass with Distinction, Pass with Merit, or Pass) on the Cambridge English Scale, together with the CEFR level it corresponds to, rather than a single numeric band or total.

Is the Speaking test the same format in all three exams?

No. IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with one examiner in three parts. TOEFL Speaking tasks are completed on a computer and your responses are recorded rather than delivered to a live examiner. Cambridge FCE and CAE Speaking tests are taken with two candidates and two examiners at the same time, including a collaborative task with your partner, which specifically tests natural interaction.

Can I prepare for more than one exam at the same time?

Yes, to a large extent. IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge FCE/CAE all test the same four core skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — so building strong general English, academic vocabulary, and grammar range benefits all three. However, each exam has its own task types and timing, so once you have chosen your target exam you should switch to exam-specific practice materials in the final weeks before your test date.