English exam preparation

The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) primarily evaluates professional English and is preferred by companies to measure workplace language skills. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is designed to assess academic English and is required by English-speaking universities for admitting international students. The IELTS General Training (International English Language Testing System) assesses everyday and workplace English and is mainly required for immigration, work, or non-academic training in English-speaking countries (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). All three tests evaluate listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, but in different contexts and with different scoring systems. Linguaskill (Cambridge) stands apart through its modular, adaptive approach: it assesses general and academic English, is taken entirely on a computer, and each skill can be sat — and re-sat — separately.

Linguaskill is Cambridge's English test: fully computer-based and adaptive, meaning question difficulty adjusts to your answers as you go. Three features set it clearly apart. It is modular: you sit the four skills (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) together or separately, and you can retake a single module to improve your score without redoing the whole exam. It is fast and generally more affordable: around 2h30 for all four modules, results within a few working days, and a fee set by each approved centre that is usually lower than the TOEIC or IELTS. Finally, its certificate has no expiry date, though each organisation remains free to require a recent test. It suits higher-education applications, international mobility, and recruitment that is not specifically business-English focused.

One frequent source of confusion: Cambridge fully redesigned the test in 2024-2025. Linguaskill is now scored from 140 to 210 on the Cambridge English Scale, covering CEFR levels B1 to C2, and results below B1 do not appear on the certificate. Many websites still show the former 82-180 scale (A1 to C1), which is no longer in use. Erosophia practice tests follow the current format.

The preparation duration depends on your current level and target score. On average, 2 to 3 months of intensive preparation are recommended with at least 10 hours of study per week. This platform allows you to progress at your own pace with comprehensive practice tests and personalized performance tracking. Beginner students may need 6 to 12 months of preparation, while those with a good level can be ready in 6 to 8 weeks. Linguaskill allows a different strategy: because the modules are sat separately, you can prepare and certify one skill at a time rather than staking everything on a single exam date.

Requirements vary depending on your goals, but here are the current market standards:

• TOEIC (Professional Environment): A score of 785+ confirms an upper-intermediate operational level (B2). For multinational companies or international management positions, 945+ is now the standard to demonstrate "Expert" proficiency (C1).
• TOEFL iBT (Academic Pathway — 2026 Format): As of January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT uses a new scale of 1.0 to 6.0 (in 0.5 increments), aligned with CEFR levels, replacing the former 0–120 scale. The overall score is the average of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing). For admission to undergraduate or first-year Master's programs, most partner universities target an equivalent of B2 level (score ≈ 4.0–4.5).
• Specialized Master's & Elite MBA Programs: For world-class programs (Ivy League, HEC, INSEAD), a C1 to C2 level (score ≈ 5.0–6.0) is expected, with particular attention paid to each individual section score.
• IELTS General Training (Immigration & Work): IELTS is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9 (in 0.5 increments). For most immigration and work-visa applications (Canada, Australia, UK), an overall band of 6.0 to 7.0 (equivalent to B2–C1) is generally required. Always check the minimum score required by your target organization or immigration program, as requirements vary by country and visa category.
• Linguaskill (Higher Education & Recruitment): Since Cambridge's 2024–2025 redesign, the test is scored from 140 to 210 on the Cambridge English Scale, which maps directly onto CEFR levels: 140–159 for B1, 160–179 for B2, 180–199 for C1, and 200–210 for C2. Most higher-education admissions and international recruitment target 160+ (B2), with the most selective programmes expecting 180+ (C1). Note that a result below B1 is not reported on the certificate.

Tip: During the 2026–2028 transition period, score reports will display both the legacy 0–120 scale and the new 1–6 scale simultaneously, making comparison easier. However, always check the specific requirements on your target institution's "Admissions" page, as universities are gradually updating their criteria.

The practice tests are designed to replicate the format, difficulty, and timing of the official TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS and Linguaskill exams as closely as possible. Questions cover the same topic areas, durations match the real exam, and the automatic scoring system gives you an accurate estimate of your performance on the Listening and Reading sections. For Speaking and Writing, you practise under timed exam conditions and your own response is marked individually by an artificial intelligence: you receive an estimated score, a criterion-by-criterion mark based on the official rubrics (ETS, IELTS and Cambridge), a detailed correction of what you actually wrote, and personalised comments. For Speaking, your recording is transcribed and then assessed. Sample answers are provided in addition, as a point of comparison — they never stand in for the marking of your own work.

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. For Speaking, your audio recording is first transcribed, then assessed as a production in its own right. You then receive four things: an estimated score on the official scale of the test you are targeting, a criterion-by-criterion mark based on the official assessment rubrics (ETS, IELTS, Cambridge), a detailed correction of what you actually produced, and personalised comments on your strengths and the areas you need to work on. Model answers remain available alongside this, as a point of comparison once your work has been marked: they supplement the individualised feedback rather than replace it.

Absolutely! This platform allows you to focus on specific sections that need the most work. You can practice comprehension or expression separately, or opt for complete tests. Detailed PDF reports after each test — including, for Writing and Speaking, the personalised AI correction of your own responses — help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

All three certifications are valid for 2 years from the test date, not from the date you receive your results. After those two years, no extension is possible: the only way to obtain a valid score is to retake the test. Most schools, universities, and employers require a score less than 2 years old, and some are even stricter (18 months). If you have a specific deadline (application submission, hiring, visa request), schedule your test as close as possible to that date to keep maximum validity. Linguaskill is the exception: its certificate officially has no expiry date, though each institution or employer remains free to require a recent test, often less than two years old as well. Training regularly between deadlines with Erosophia helps you stay ready to retake the test whenever you need to.

There is no official limit on the number of attempts: you can retake each test as many times as needed to reach your target score. ETS does recommend a gap of about 28 days between two TOEIC sessions to allow for real progress. Since each attempt is paid (often more than €150 for the official exam), the most economical strategy is to prepare seriously and aim for the right score on the first try. Linguaskill goes further with its 'My best score' feature: you can retake a single module — Speaking, for instance — without redoing the other three, and only your best result is kept. This requires using the same candidate login and the same test centre as the original sitting. That is precisely the purpose of Erosophia practice tests: arriving on test day having already mastered the format and time management.

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. Erosophia tests follow this new format so you can train under real exam conditions.

Each test is read differently. For the TOEIC Listening & Reading, scored out of 990 points, 785+ corresponds to a B2 level and 945+ to a C1 level. For the TOEFL iBT, a band score of 5.0 on a section indicates a C1 level, and selective universities generally expect 5.0–6.0 (C1–C2) while mid-tier programs accept 4.0–5.0 (B2–C1). For the IELTS, scored on a band scale from 0 to 9, an overall band of 6.0 to 7.0 is equivalent to a B2–C1 level. Linguaskill is the most readable of the four, since its 140-to-210 scale maps one-to-one onto the CEFR: 140–159 for B1, 160–179 for B2, 180–199 for C1, and 200–210 for C2. Always check the minimum score required by the organization or institution you are targeting. Erosophia's detailed feedback helps you place your level precisely with every practice session.

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. Always check your available rights or your employer's training budget before each registration. Note that the Erosophia subscription, from €5/month, is an independent training complement, accessible whether or not you use a funding scheme for the official exam.