International exams

No matter what your reason for needing an internationally recognised certificate, at MINERVA you can receive excellent preparation to sit such an exam.

Cambridge exams

Cambridge ESOL, the examination division of the University of Cambridge, a highly respected educational institution with 800-year-old history and traditions, offers the world's leading range of certificates of English for speakers of other languages. Each year those exams are taken by over 2 million people in more than 130 countries. They help people gain entrance to university or college, advance in their career or improve their job prospects, or simply measure progress in English. They are recognised by thousands of employers and universities in Great Britain and the members of the British Commonwealth, the whole European Union, a rising number of US universities, etc. They enjoy a growing popularity in Bulgaria as well, having an annual candidature of more than 13 thousand people. Whatever your level or age, there is a suitable Cambridge exam for you. Among the most popular ones are FCE, CAE, CPE and IELTS.

Cambridge exams generally take place two times a year – in June and December – while there are also dates in March for some of the exams. In Bulgaria they are administered by the British Council – the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

You can take the exams in several centres in the country: Sofia, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, and Bugras. The registration for the June session takes place in March and for the December session – in September. If an exam is also offered in March, the registration is at the beginning of January. We, at MINERVA, are registered to make block registrations to our candidates, thus assisting them and facilitating them greatly.

You normally take the FCE, CAE and CPE exams on two days: the first date (for the first four parts of the exam) is fixed in the exam calendar about a year earlier and is common to all centres, including those abroad. You will have to sit the Speaking paper on a different date, which would be specified about a month earlier. As of 2010 the dates on which you can take the test are significantly more and in many cases you also have the choice between a paper-based and a computer-based test.

The so called Statements of Results (for FCE, CAE and CPE) are received about 2 months after the exam date and the certificates are issued only to candidates with passing grades further 6 to 8 weeks after that. It is visible to the naked eye that 7 or 8 months pass from the moment of registration through sitting the exam and receiving the results to the collection of the certificates. If we also consider the preparation time before that, we can conclude that the whole process should be carefully planned and extended over time.

The benefits, however, can hardly be questioned. The results from Cambridge exams do not expire over the course of time; that is, they are valid for life (except for IELTS where the result is valid for a period of two years). These exams are proof of English language competence at a certain level because they test real-life skills that a person can use in real-life context.

LEVEL	Some Cambridge ESOL Examinations
С2	CPE Certificate of Proficiency in English	IELTS
С1	CAE Certificate in Advanced in English
В2	FCE First Certificate in English
В1	PET Preliminary English Test
А2	KET Key English Test
А1
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages	Upper Main Suite ---------------------- Lower Main Suite	Academic Module (to study) or General Training Module (to migrate)

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is a guideline compiled on the initiative of the Council of Europe with the aim of setting the criteria for comparison and commensurability of language competences of a person through a scale common across Europe. The CEFR is used for easy assessment of a person’s level of language proficiency in all four basic language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Each of these four skills is subdivided into six clearly defined levels of language competence: from A1 (Basic User) to C2 (almost native speaker).

All Cambridge ESOL exams are related to this framework.

Listening	I can understand familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
Reading	I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
Interaction Speaking Production	I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I'm trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics. I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
Writing	I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.

Listening	I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
Reading	I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.
Interaction Speaking Production	I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can't usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself. I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.
Writing	I can write short, simple notes and messages. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

Listening	I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
Reading	I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.
Interaction Speaking Production	I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events). I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.
Writing	I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

Listening	I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes. I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
Reading	I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose.
Interaction Speaking Production	I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views. I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Writing	I can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. I can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.

Listening	I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly. I can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.
Reading	I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.
Interaction Speaking Production	I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers. I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
Writing	I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select a style appropriate to the reader in mind.

Listening	I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided. I have some time to get familiar with the accent.
Reading	I can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works.
Interaction Speaking Production	I can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it. I can present a clear, smoothly-flowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context and with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points.
Writing	I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in an appropriate style. I can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. I can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.

Standardised American tests

The TOEFL and the SAT have unyielding popularity. Administered by American educational institutions (ETS and The College Board respectively), these exams are predominantly used for admission to North American, but also European, colleges and universities.

Please contact us to inquire about a forthcoming preparation course or to check the availability for individual tutoring.