Welcome to Churchill House's internet guide to English language exams

There are so many English language exams available these days that it can be hard to know which exam is best for you. Are you thinking of taking Cambridge First Certificate? If so, what level do you need? And how should you prepare for it? Or perhaps First Certificate is not the best exam for you at all. If you are in business, would a business-orientated exam be better?

At Churchill House we are used to advising learners of English on what exam to take. Of the 50,000 students who have passed through our doors, thousands have managed to get an exam certificate before they leave!

Start the guide by choosing the most appropriate level from this list. (If you are not sure what level of English you have, why not test yourself with one of our online tests?)

Elementary - a little English. I am OK in typical tourist situations and simple social situations.

Intermediate - some English. I can take part in conversations and discussions on general topics, for example about me, my life, interests etc. However I still have problems with basic grammar like tenses and I need a lot more vocabulary.

Advanced - I can discuss a good range of things in English although I would like to be more precise with my grammar and vocabulary.

Very advanced - I am comfortable discussing a wide range of topics including specialist and work-related interests. Of course I make mistakes but they tend to be minor ones of form and appropriacy.