International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.

Type Standardised test. Available in 2 modules: "Academic", "General training". The IELTS test partners also offer IELTS Life Skills, a speaking and listening test used for UK Visas and Immigration.
Developer / administrator British Council, IDP Education, Cambridge English Language Assessment.
Knowledge / skills tested Listening, reading, writing and speaking of the English language.
Purpose To assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers.
Year started 1980; 37 years ago
Duration Listening: 40 minutes (including the 10-minute transfer time),
Reading: 60 minutes,
Writing: 60 minutes,
Speaking: 11–14 minutes.
Total: 2 hours, 55 minutes.
Score / grade range 0 to 9, in 0.5 band increments.
Score / grade validity 2 years

First Certificate in English (FCE) is an English language examination provided by Cambridge English Language Assessment, It is an upper-intermediate, international English language qualification that focuses on Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

The exam was divided into three sections:
Oral (Dictation, Reading Aloud, and Conversation)
English Composition and Language (2 hours for a free composition on a choice of subjects and various tests on the correct use of simple English)
Prescribed Texts (2 hours on Dickens, Swift, Shaw and/or the Oxford English Course book)