Learn about English Tests

General tests of English to prepare for academic study abroad are IELTS (International English Language Testing System, UK) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, US). For the US students may also be required to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) which covers mathematics, English and logical thinking.


The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) was developed for business English and is more practical and easier than the other tests.

Before taking any of these tests it is a good idea to study the test format. 4Tests provides free practice tests for TOEFL, TOEIC and GMAT, examenglish provides TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS, and more IELTS can be found at the British Council and IELTS Exams.

Thailand
In Thailand English tests for Chulalongkorn University (CU-TEP, Chulalongkorn University Test of English Proficiency) and Thammasat University (TU-GET, Thammasat University Graduate English Test) are often used by students to prepare for the more expensive TOEFL test.

The (Thai) Military
In the military, students or officers preparing to go abroad first take the ALCPT (American Language Course Placement Test). After this, those continuing their study or training in Australia have to take the ADFELPS (Australian Defence Force English Language Profiling System) test. For the US, they take the ECL (English Comprehension Level) test, which covers the same contents as the ALCPT.

Free practice materials and sample tests for ADFELPS, ALCPT and an ECL can be found online, and software with outdated ALCPT tests can be downloaded.

Read an article about these tests in Thai, written by an RTNA Humanities officer for Navigasart Magazine in 2004. Please note that the TOEFL test has changed; find new TOEFL information at ets.org.