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Hello everybody:I=B4ve been doing some research about English international exams and I was wondering what=B4s the real difference between Cambridge Main Suite Exams (FCE, CAE and CPE) and IELTS? What=B4s the difference when recognitions is all about? Which one would be better to take when applying to a job in the industry?Looking forward to hear from you at your earliest convenience; Eric

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hello everybody: I=B4ve been doing some research about English international exams and I was wondering what=B4s the real difference between Cambridge Main Suite Exams (FCE, CAE and CPE) and IELTS? What=B4s the difference when recognitions is all about?[/nq]
Main Suite exams dictate a curriculum based on General English.

IELTS comes in two flavours; General English and Academic English. By far the greater number of candidates take the Academic Module, as IELTS scores are how Universities in the UK and Australia, and increasingly worldwide (since TOEFL has become somewhat discredited) assess the English ability of overseas students. To get onto an undergraduate course in the UK usually requires IELTS of 6.0 upwards. Some countries require IELTS scores from new immigrants, and this is where the General Module comes in - and this means some candidates are native speakers.
In many countries - a colleague was telling me last week this is the case in Germany - a good Main Suite qualification such as CAE or Proficiency is considered as good evidence of English ability which could be used in a job. (In fact I have a lot of problems with Proficiency, as I don't believe many native* *speakers would pass it, but lets let that go).
[nq:1]Which one would be better to take when applying to a job in the >industry?[/nq]
I'd guess you mean 'when applying to a job in industry?', but the answer is, it depends on which industry, and where you are. If you want to study at an English-speaking University or College you need IELTS or TOEFL. However; my feeling is that IELTS courses tend to train you to pass the IELTS Exam, and you're more likely to improve your English language all round on a Main Suite course.

DC, IELTS Examiner amongst other things

Usenet · Answer

I think there are a few interesting differences.
My experience has been that people are more successful with IELTS, for various reasons. It's a more practical exam and needs less preparation. It's purely skills, none of the notoriously difficult Use of English which is a feature of Main Suite exams. It's easier to learn how to pass the exam, for good or bad, as eric gg suggests. Things like the speaking are more controllable as they only focus on you, not you and one or two more candidates.
IELTS generally has a lot more recognition now, and you're safer with it than an Upper Main Suite exam, i.e. CAE or CPE, which some people accept, and others don't.
Of course a big problem with IELTS is that it is only valid for 2 years, which is probably best but can be a real pain if you have applications that take a long time, like immigration.

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