FAQ: Language Exams

Interested in one of our language exams, but still have some unanswered questions? Then you are in the right place! Here you will find the most frequently asked questions regarding the State Language Exam, Cambridge Exams and the TOEFL Exams.

STATE LANGUAGE EXAM

How many levels are there to the State Language Exam?

The State Language Exam is open to every applicant, whose language ability is registered on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

If they want to test their language ability, applicants may choose from three options: 1. Primary State Language Exam (Level B2) 2. General State Language Exam (Level C1) or 3. Higher State Language Exam (Level C2) which is suitable for both translators and interpreters.

What dates are the Language Exams on?

State Language Exams take place twice a year, once in the autumn term and once in the spring term and for those studying English in both terms. The date of the exam is the same across the whole of the Czech Republic.

How much does the State Language Cost?

The cost of a Primary State Language Exam is 3 500 Czech Crowns. If the candidate does not pass the written part of the examination and is therefore not invited to the oral part of the exam, then he/she will get 500 Crowns back. The cost of the General State Language Exam is 4 200 Czech Crowns. Again, if the candidate does not pass the written part of the examination and is therefore not invited to the speaking part of the exam, then he/she will get 600 Czech Crowns back.

Is the State Language Exam internationally recognised?

The State Language Exam is approved by the Ministry of School, Youth and Sports, which is regulated by Decree No. 33/2005 Coll., as amended. Due to its complexity and above all its complexity, the State Language Exam is highly regarded by Czech and Slovak employers, although the exam itself is yet to be recognised internationally.

What use is a State Language Exam certificate?

For more information on the B2 and C1 State Language Exams and their applications, follow the link HERE.

Can you apply to the exam without having passed a previous language course?

Yes, applicants who have not taken a language course before may also apply.

When I apply to do the State Language Exam, will the exam take place at PELICAN Language School?

State Language Exams can only be held at institutions which are on the school and school facilities register. Only these schools have the right to hold state language exams. PELICAN Language School is one of these schools and all examinations take place on the school premises under the supervision of our teachers.

What is included in the B2 and C1 State Language Exams?

The B2 State Language Exam specialises in dealing with themes concerning the daily life of the language studied as well as those of the Czech Republic.

During the exam the applicant is to demonstrate their ability to understand a spoken and written text and freely express themselves both orally and on paper at a level which reflects the instruction delivered within the language course by the organisation. The applicant should know between 2000-2500 words for this exam.

The written part of the exam will test the applicant’s:

a). level of understanding written texts in the foreign language with a range of 700-1000 words.

b). skill in assembling information in the foreign language with a range of around 300 words.

c). level of understanding a comprehension in the foreign language lasting between 35-40 minutes.

d). ability to make use of a selected set of spoken and lexical structures in the foreign language.

The written part of the exam lasts 4 hours. The student may only use a dictionary for parts a and b.

Within 14 days of successfully passing the written part of the exam the applicant will be able invited to sit the oral part of the exam which lasts between 15-20 minutes and tests the applicant’s:

a). ability to readily react to common everyday situations

b). proficiency in discussing themes taught in the course.

The advanced C1 Language Exam, focuses on themes concerning daily life, political questions, and any cultural and economic developments occurring in the country of the language studied as well as in the Czech Republic.

The applicant will take an exam, intended to demonstrate a deeper understanding and a greater mastery of the foreign language using the linguistic skills developed over the period of the primary and intermediate stages of the language course taught at the Language School. The candidate will be required to know around 4000 words.

In the written part of the exam the candidate will be tested on:

a) his/her level of understanding written texts in the foreign language comprising between 1200-1400 words.

b) ability to construct in the foreign language a composition on a topic either given to the applicant or chosen independently by the applicant comprising of around 500 words.

c) his/her level of understanding a listening text in the foreign language lasting between 40-45 minutes.

d) ability to use specific spoken and lexical phrases in the foreign language

The written exam lasts 4 hours. The student may only use a dictionary for parts a and b.

Within 14 days of successfully passing the written part of the exam the applicant will be able invited to sit the oral part of the exam which lasts between 25-30 minutes and tests the applicant’s:

a) ability to swiftly and spontaneously reply in the foreign language to ordinary situations from daily life, fluently and accurately converse in the foreign language on themes from daily life.

b) knowledge of the institutions present in the country whose language the applicant is studying as well as those of the Czech Republic.

c) ability to fluently and accurately talk in the foreign language about the main literature of the language studied which should be at least 500 pages.

Can I use a dictionary during the State Language Exam?

In the first two parts of the written exam for the primary and intermediate level- during the READING AND WRITING parts the applicant can use a physical dictionary.

Is the spoken part of the exam on the same day as the written?

The spoken part of the exam is usually 14 days after successfully passing the written part. After successfully passing the written part of the exam, the candidate is invited to the spoken part of the exam, the date for which will be chosen by the Language school.

What themes are talked about in the spoken part of the State Language Exam?

In both parts of the B2 Primary Exam, the candidate will be required to talk about the following themes:

Family, relationships, housing, the town (place) in which the candidate lives, work and employment, free time and organising it. Nature, ecological problems, travelling, clothes. Healthcare, art, science and technology, education. The Czech Republic and the relevant country (basic geographical facts, the most visited places in the country, celebrations and the most well known customs, some of the most famous personalities particularly in the cultural life of the country.)

In both parts of the C1 Advanced Exam, the candidate will be required to talk about the following themes:

Family, relationships, housing, the town (place) in which the candidate lives, work and employment, free time and organising it. Nature, ecological problems, travelling, clothes. Healthcare, art, science and technology, education. The Czech Republic and the relevant country (basic geographical facts, the most visited places in the country, celebrations, customs and stereotypes, problems in everyday life, the most important historical events, the figureheads of the respective country in the fields of art, science and technology, important current social and cultural events in the Czech Republic some of the most famous personalities particularly in the cultural life of the country.)

CAMBRIDGE EXAMS

Which Cambridge Exams can I take?

General English Exams- KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE. Exams designed for children and youth- YLE, KET for schools, PET for schools, FCE for schools. Exams for Advanced and Business English- BEC, TKT. For more detailed information on each of the exams, follow this link here.

What are the dates for the Cambridge Exams?

Up-to-date information on exam dates and exam venues can be found at PELICAN Language School, alternatively you can go directly to the British Council website.

How much do the Cambridge Exams cost?

Depending on the type of examination, prices can range from 1 600 Czech Crowns to 5 300 Czech Crowns. Up-to-date information on the prices for individual exams can be found on our website, or alternatively you can go directly to the official British Council website.

Are Cambridge Exams internationally recognised?

The English Cambridge Exam series are a part of some of the most respected qualifications for students of English. Every year over 2 million people in 130 countries sit a Cambridge Exam in English, giving it its international reputation.

Will I have to re–validate my Cambridge Exam once I’ve passed it?

No, once you have passed your Cambridge Exam you will not need to renew it.

What are the advantages of passing a Cambridge Exam?

The Cambridge English Language Assessment is a prestigious, internationally recognised language qualification. The fact that Cambridge Exams are internationally recognised, gives those who have passed it lots of advantages in comparison to those who have a Czech State Exam or their A-Levels. A successful candidate, who passes the exam, becomes a life time holder of Cambridge English certificate, demonstrating his/her competency in the English language. More than 3 million students from around the world take these exams every year. The Cambridge Exam certificate is recognised worldwide by more than 11.000 universities, employers, authorities, agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic and other governmental institutions in the Czech Republic. Many schools including leading universities take Cambridge Exam results into account and award students, who can provide the Cambridge certificate requested by the institution, with bonus points during the admission procedure.

What is meant by the fact that PELICAN Language School is a preparatory centre for Cambridge Exams?

PELICAN Language School became an official preparatory centre for the Cambridge English Language Assessment back in 2018. PELICAN Language School specialises in preparing students for Cambridge English exams. At PELICAN, you can prepare for the exam either through our preparatory courses, or alternatively through our Post-Secondary course for English, which we run regularly. In preparatory classes, the primary focus is to prepare students for a particular exam. Students have the chance to examine themselves on certain parts of the paper before the actual exam, first alone and then go through them in class.

How do I register for a Cambridge Exam?

Students are prepared for Cambridge exams in one year post-secondary, preparatory courses for exams and group courses for the public. PELICAN Language School ensures that all necessary requisites for the chosen level and exam are made.

When I register, will the exam take place at PELICAN Language School?

PELICAN Language School is a preparatory centre, consequently the exam does not take place on the school premises but rather at the British Council on Solniční, Brno (about 3 minutes away from PELICAN Language School).

What is in a Cambridge Exam?

The Cambridge Exam is usually divided into 5 parts: reading, writing, use of the language, listening and speaking. Exam results used to be released between 2 to 7 weeks after sitting the test and certificates are sent to the relevant preparatory centre within 3 months. Certificates are valid indefinitely. In the case of failing the exam, you will be informed which parts of the exam you were weakest in. Failing the exam is a sign that you lack sufficient knowledge. A detailed breakdown of every exam is available here.

TOEFL EXAMS

What level can you take a TOEFL exam at?

The TOEFL exam can be taken at any level corresponding to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1-C2). The amount of points you score during the exam will depend on what level you have achieved. Unlike the state language exam, the TOEFL exams cannot be passed, rather they allow you to progress to the next level.

What are the dates for the TOEFL exam?

With more than 30 exam dates per year the TOEFL exam is one of most accessible exams to be taken. A list of exam dates can be found on the ETS website.

How much does a TOEFL exam cost?

The cost of a TOEFL exam is in American dollars and can vary depending on the test centre and the exam date. The price of an exam is usually between 200 and 260 dollars.

Is the TOEFL exam internationally recognised?

Yes. The TOEFL belongs to the most prestigious language exams in the world, and is recognised by more than 9000 institutions around the world. A TOEFL certificate will make sure that your level of English is recognised wherever it is needed.

Do I need to renew my TOEFL?

Yes. Your TOEFL is valid for 2 years. However, the awarding institution always has the last say in the matter. Provided that the institution acknowledges it, the certificate can be valid for more than 2 years.

What are the advantages of taking a TOEFL exam?

As with the other language exams, the TOEFL is designed to assess a candidate’s level of English. In comparison with the other exams however, the TOEFL is more orientated towards academic English. Consequently, those taking the exam are often interested in studying abroad, whether at secondary school, university or e.g. exchange program. For many universities taking the TOEFL is an indispensable part of the admission procedure.

How can I apply for the exam?

You can apply for the TOEFL exam on the ETS website.

If I apply for the exam, will it take place at PELICAN Language School?

No. The TOEFL exam can only be taken at authorised test centres. In the Czech Republic these test centres are located in Ostrava and Prague.

What is included in a TOEFL exam?

A TOEFL exam is made up of 4 parts, which are designed to test a candidate’s: reading, writing, listening and speaking ability. The structure of the exam is as follows:

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