Frequently Asked Questions

The four tests prepared on Erosophia measure the same four skills, but they do not serve the same goals. Start from your objective, not from the test:

• A job in France, a CPF-funded certification, a French business or engineering school → TOEIC. It is the reference on the French market, and the only one of the four widely covered by CPF funding.
• Admission to an English-speaking university (United States, Canada) → TOEFL iBT, built around academic English.
• Immigration, a work visa, or relocation (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) → IELTS General Training, required by most immigration authorities.
• A fast, remote, lower-cost result, or a test requested by an employer or a UK university → Linguaskill General, modular and issued by Cambridge.

At a glance:

• TOEIC: 10-990 scale, valid 2 years, around €216, workplace context
• TOEFL iBT: bands 1.0-6.0, valid 2 years, around €245, academic context
• IELTS General Training: bands 1-9, valid 2 years, around €284, everyday and professional life
• Linguaskill General: 82-180+ scale, no official expiry date, price set by each test centre, results within 48 hours

Simple rule: if an employer, school, or authority names a specific test, take that one. Otherwise, choose based on where your application is going.

The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is a globally recognized professional English test. It evaluates your English skills in a professional context.

There are two main versions:

• TOEIC Listening & Reading: listening and reading comprehension
• TOEIC Speaking & Writing: oral and written expression

For a complete evaluation, the TOEIC 4-Skills (covering all four language skills) is priced at €216, a fee set by ETS Global (official 2026 rate in France).

Erosophia provides comprehensive preparation for only €10 per month, €25 per quarter, or €80 per year.

The TOEIC score is valid for 2 years from the date you take the test.

After this period, you will need to retake the test if you want to prove your English level to employers or educational institutions.

To achieve a B2 level on the CEFR, you need to score between 785 and 940 points on the TOEIC Listening & Reading.

Score equivalents:

• A1: 120-220 points
• A2: 225-550 points
• B1: 550-780 points
• B2: 785-940 points
• C1: 945-990 points

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an internationally recognized academic English test. It is primarily used for university admissions in English-speaking countries.

The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) evaluates four skills: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, and speaking.

The TOEFL iBT costs approximately €245 in France (2025 rate).

Registering for the exam is a significant investment; don't risk having to retake it. Maximize your chances with structured preparation for just €10 per month, €25 per quarter, or €80 per year.

The TOEFL score is valid for 2 years from the date you take the test, just like the TOEIC.

TOEFL: Academic English test, used for university admissions

TOEIC: Professional English test, used in the business world

Tip: Choose TOEFL for your studies, TOEIC for your professional career.

As of January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT is shorter (about 90 minutes instead of 2 hours), adaptive, and scored on a new band scale of 1.0 to 6.0 aligned with the CEFR.

The Reading and Listening sections are now adaptive: question difficulty adjusts in real time based on your answers, and the overall score is the average of the four sections (no longer their sum).

During the 2026-2028 transition period, the score report displays the 1-6 band score, the CEFR level, and a comparable score on the former 0-120 scale, which makes acceptance by universities easier.

The IELTS General Training (International English Language Testing System) is an English test that assesses your ability to use English in everyday, professional, and social contexts.

It is intended for people who want to immigrate, work, or undertake non-academic training in an English-speaking country (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). It assesses four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

The Listening and Speaking sections are strictly identical in both versions. The difference lies in Reading and Writing: Academic uses university texts and a graph description, while General Training uses everyday documents and writing a letter.

Academic targets higher education; General Training targets immigration and work. At an equal level, General Training is often considered slightly more accessible.

You neither pass nor fail the IELTS: each section receives a band score from 1 to 9, in 0.5 increments. The overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest 0.5.

For example, scores of 7.0 / 6.5 / 6.0 / 7.0 give an average of 6.625, rounded to 6.5. A band of 6.0 to 7.0 corresponds to a B2-C1 level on the CEFR.

Requirements vary by country and program. For Canada's Express Entry, an overall band of 6.0 minimum is generally required, and 7.0+ for priority profiles. Australia often requires 6.0 per section for "competent" English. The UK sets its thresholds by visa type.

Always check the precise requirements of the target immigration authority, as per-skill minimums may apply.

In France, the IELTS costs around €284 for the computer-delivered version through the British Council (2026 rate). The paper-based version starts at about €240, and IELTS UKVI, required for certain British visas, costs roughly €30 more.

IELTS Academic and General Training are priced identically. Fees are non-refundable if you cancel late, so check current prices and conditions on the British Council website before booking.

It is the most expensive of the four tests, so prepare thoroughly to avoid a second sitting. Erosophia preparation costs €10 per month, €25 per quarter, or €80 per year.

The IELTS score is valid for 2 years from the date you take the test, just like the TOEIC and TOEFL.

Schedule your test 4 to 6 months before your application deadline, to allow time to prepare and, if needed, retake the test.

Linguaskill is an online English test designed by Cambridge English, which replaced BULATS in 2019. It is taken on a computer, either at an approved centre or remotely, and results are generated automatically.

Its distinctive feature is that it is modular: three modules that you can take separately or combine, depending on what is asked of you.

• Reading & Listening: a single adaptive module, 60 to 85 minutes
• Writing: about 45 minutes
• Speaking: about 15 minutes

It comes in two versions: General, focused on English for everyday life, study, and work, and Business, focused on business English. Erosophia prepares the General version across all four skills.

Unlike the TOEIC or the IELTS, Cambridge does not set a national price: Linguaskill is administered by independent approved centres that set their own fees.

In France, expect roughly €100 to €200 for the full set of modules, and noticeably less if you take only one. This often makes it the most affordable of the four tests.

Before booking, check with the centre that the fee includes the official Cambridge certificate. On the preparation side, an Erosophia subscription costs €10 per month, €25 per quarter, or €80 per year.

You neither pass nor fail Linguaskill. Each module receives a score on the Cambridge English Scale, from 82 to 180 and above, together with the matching CEFR level. If you take several modules, your overall score is the average of the modules taken.

Score equivalents:

• 82-99: below A1
• 100-119: A1
• 120-139: A2
• 140-159: B1
• 160-179: B2
• 180+: C1 or above

Because marking is fully automated, results are available within 48 hours, where the other tests take anywhere from several days to several weeks.

This is the main difference from the other three tests: Cambridge sets no expiry date for Linguaskill, whereas the TOEIC, TOEFL, and IELTS are valid for 2 years.

In practice, most employers and institutions still apply an informal 2-year rule, on the basis that language ability changes over time. So do not assume an older score will be accepted: check what the organisation you are applying to actually requires.

Both assess English in a professional context, but they are not interchangeable.

Choose the TOEIC if you are in France and targeting a job, a business school, or an engineering school, or if you are funding your certification through the CPF: it is the test French recruiters name by default.

Choose Linguaskill if you need a fast result, want to take the test remotely, only need one or two skills assessed, or if the organisation asking for it is a UK university.

One caveat: TOEIC Listening & Reading only assesses comprehension, whereas Linguaskill covers all four skills once you take every module. For a like-for-like comparison, weigh TOEIC 4-Skills against the full Linguaskill.

CLOE (Compétences Linguistiques Orales et Écrites) is the professional language certification of the French Chambers of Commerce and Industry network, run by CCI France. For English, it is registered in the France Compétences specific register under number RS7667, which makes it CPF-eligible.

It has two tests: an adaptive written test on computer (50 questions, five competences, about 50 minutes) and a 15-to-20-minute oral interview with an evaluator, tailored to the job and specialisation declared at registration. It can be taken at an approved centre or remotely.

Each centre (CCI or partner organisation) sets its own fee; expect roughly €100 to 150 as an independent candidate. Most candidates take it at the end of an English training programme, where it is funded by the CPF, the employer or the OPCO, the certification concluding the programme.

Erosophia is not a test centre: the preparation offered here replaces neither registration with a CCI nor the official test.

The written test runs through five competences of ten questions: vocabulary, grammar and syntax, expressions, reading comprehension, listening comprehension. Seven question types recur (drop-down lists, word bank, gap-fill, sentence reconstruction, text reconstruction, multiple choice, listening), each question has its own timer (40 to 90 seconds) and the difficulty adjusts to your answers: there is no going back.

The oral has three parts: introduction questions about your background and job, a professional role-play with the evaluator, then a discussion on a theme related to your field.

Each competence receives a CEFR level (A1 to C2): five for the written test, five for the oral (vocabulary, grammar, fluency, pronunciation, interaction). An overall written level, an overall oral level and an overall CLOE level follow from them.

A target is set before the test (A2 minimum). If it is reached, you receive the certificate, which states your level and specialisation and has no official expiry date; otherwise, a statement of results detailing the ten competences.

Choose CLOE if your training is CPF-funded, if you want a result per competence on the CEFR scale from level A1, or if you are expected to use English in the context of your job: the oral interview is tailored to your specialisation, which no other test offers.

Choose the TOEIC if an employer or school explicitly asks for a TOEIC score, the historical recruitment benchmark. Choose Linguaskill for university admission or an international context, where the Cambridge brand is better recognised than a French certification.

Practice samples only. Erosophia offers free TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, and Linguaskill sample questions to assess your current level, while this platform's paid plans include full-length practice tests, comprehensive study materials, and AI marking of your own written and spoken responses.

It's very simple:

1. Click on Sign up
2. Fill out the form with your email
3. Confirm your account via the email received
4. Choose your subscription on the Pricing page
5. Start your training!

The platform offers four types of subscriptions based on your needs:

1. TOEIC 4-Skills (all-in-one plan)
Full access to TOEIC resources across all four language skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing

2. TOEFL iBT
Comprehensive TOEFL preparation covering all four language skills

3. IELTS General Training
Comprehensive preparation for all four IELTS General Training papers, ideal for immigration and work abroad

4. Linguaskill General
Comprehensive preparation for all four Linguaskill General skills (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking), Cambridge's modular test reported on the Cambridge English Scale from 82 to 180+ (CEFR A1 to C1 and above)

5. CLOE English (coming soon — free samples open)
Complete preparation for both tests of the CCI CLOE English certification (adaptive written test and oral interview), CPF-eligible, with CEFR level A1-C2 per competence

Each subscription is available in three durations:

• Monthly: maximum flexibility
• Quarterly: save 10%
• Annual: save 20%

Check the detailed pricing and offers.

Erosophia's premium subscriptions give you access to:

• Full practice tests under real exam conditions
• Instant automatic grading for Reading & Listening parts
• AI marking of your own written and spoken responses (Writing & Speaking): an estimated score, a criterion-by-criterion mark based on the official rubrics, a detailed correction of your text, and personalised comments
• Model answers provided in addition to that marking, as a point of comparison
• Detailed feedback on your practice test results
• Lessons and exercises in chapters specific to the type of test you are preparing for
• Regular updates of content and new tests

All subscriptions can be cancelled at any time with no commitment.

All plans offer exactly the same content and features. The only difference is duration and price:

• Monthly: Ideal if you want to test the platform or need short-term preparation. Billed every month.
• Quarterly: Save 10% compared to monthly. Billed every 3 months. Perfect for intermediate preparation.
• Annual: Save 20% compared to monthly. Billed once a year. Best value for comprehensive preparation.

All subscriptions are commitment-free and can be cancelled at any time.

Payments are fully secure and processed by Stripe, the world leader in online payments.

Accepted payment methods:

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• Debit cards

The platform never stores your banking information. Stripe guarantees the security of your transactions according to PCI-DSS standards.

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time from your personal space.

No commitment, no questions asked, and your subscription remains active until the end of the paid period.

Yes, Erosophia offers customized packages for companies, schools, and universities, with group licenses at preferential rates.

Contact us to request a personalized quote.

In many countries, official English tests like the TOEIC are eligible for professional training funding schemes that can cover both your preparation and the exam fee. In France specifically, the CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) often covers up to 100% of the official exam price.

The TOEFL and IELTS are generally not covered directly by such schemes, although a preparation course from an accredited provider often is. Linguaskill eligibility has changed over time, so check its status when you register.

Always check your available rights or your employer's training budget before each registration.

Note: the Erosophia subscription is an independent training complement, accessible whether or not you use a funding scheme for the official exam.

By an artificial intelligence, on your actual production — not by simply comparing it with a model answer.

When you write a text or record a spoken response, that response is analysed individually. You then receive four things:

• An estimated score on the official scale of the test you are targeting (TOEIC, TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Linguaskill)
• A criterion-by-criterion mark based on the official ETS, IELTS, and Cambridge rubrics: coherence, lexical range, grammatical accuracy, task relevance
• A detailed correction of what you actually produced, error by error
• Personalised comments on your strengths and the areas you need to work on

This feedback is specific to your own work: two candidates answering the same prompt do not receive the same correction.

Yes. For Speaking tasks, your audio recording is first transcribed, then assessed as a production in its own right, against the same official criteria used on exam day.

You are not simply played a model answer and left to judge your own performance: it is your actual spoken response that is marked and commented on.

No — and this is the most common misconception about the platform.

Erosophia does provide model answers and the official assessment criteria for the Writing and Speaking papers. But these are additional resources, available once your own work has been marked, and they serve as a point of comparison.

Marking your own production remains the core of the system. At no point are you handed a model answer in place of an assessment.

It is an estimate, calculated from the official assessment rubrics. Its purpose is to place your level, show you which skills to prioritise, and let you track your progress from one practice session to the next.

Only the official bodies — ETS for the TOEIC and TOEFL, British Council / IDP / Cambridge for IELTS, and Cambridge for Linguaskill — issue an official, recognised score. Erosophia is an independent practice platform with no affiliation to those organisations.

Preparation time depends on your current level and target score:

• Beginner (A1-A2): 8-12 months of preparation
• Intermediate (B1): 3-6 months
• Advanced (B2-C1): 1-2 months

These ranges apply to all four tests, with two caveats: the TOEFL iBT often takes a little longer, since academic English requires specialised vocabulary, while Linguaskill can be prepared faster if you are only taking one or two modules.

The key is to practice regularly.

6 essential tips:

1. Familiarize yourself with the test format
2. Take practice tests regularly
3. Analyze your mistakes after each test
4. Expand your professional vocabulary
5. Practice listening comprehension daily (podcasts, series)
6. Practice speaking daily (shadowing, self-talk, voice notes)

On Erosophia, point 3 is partly done for you on the productive papers: every text you write and every response you record is marked individually by an artificial intelligence, which pinpoints your recurring mistakes instead of leaving you to compare your work against a model answer.

Adapt point 4 to your test: business vocabulary for the TOEIC, academic vocabulary for the TOEFL, everyday and administrative vocabulary for IELTS General Training, and general plus workplace English for Linguaskill General.

Erosophia offers several free resources:

• Free TOEIC 4-Skills sample test
• Free TOEFL iBT sample test
• Free IELTS General Training sample test
• Free Linguaskill General sample test
• Irregular verbs quiz
• English verb conjugator
• Scores by institution
• Articles and tips on Erosophia's blog