Exams for admissions

Get the best applications for your institution

Choosing Cambridge English Qualifications for your admission requirements means that you can specify the level of English you require and be sure of a student’s level of English. This means you get the best applicants for your institution.

Which exam should I ask for?

We offer a range of level-based English language exams which are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We recommend the following exams for admission to courses taught in English:

Level of study Recommended exam for admission
Foundation / pre-sessional B2 First
Undergraduate and postgraduate C1 Advanced
Postgraduate and postdoctoral C2 Proficiency

B2 First

B2 First (also known as First Certificate in English) is our most popular qualification among language learners. It gives students the practical English skills they need to study on foundation, pathway or pre-sessional programmes and courses taught in the medium of English.

  • Understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing.
  • Keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and presenting arguments.
  • Produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.
  • Make simple notes for essay or revision purposes, capturing the most important points.
  • Scan texts for relevant information.

The exam is targeted at CEFR Level B2 (160–179 on the Cambridge English Scale). The following scores are used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score, Grade/CEFR, CEFR level
180–190, Grade A, C1
173–179,Grade B, B2
160–172, Grade C, B2
140–159, Level B1, B1

Scores are also reported between 122 and 139, although candidates do not receive a certificate.

Find out more about how we report results for B2 First

B2 First is made up of four papers developed to test different aspects of candidates’ English skills:

Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes)
7 parts/52 questions Shows
Students can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines.Candidates must also demonstrate how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary.

Writing (1 hour 20 minutes)
2 parts
Requires students to produce different pieces of writing, including a compulsory essay.

Listening (about 40 minutes)
4 parts/30 questions
Requires students to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations.

Speaking (14 minutes per pair of candidates)
4 parts
The speaking test is face-to-face with two examiners and at least one other candidate for a more authentic exercise in communication.

Download sample papers and find out more about B2 First

C1 Advanced

C1 Advanced (also known as Certificate in Advanced English) is a rigorous assessment of a student’s ability to communicate at an advanced level in English. The exam gives students the English skills they need to succeed at college or university on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

  • Contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within their own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.
  • Read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, and take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write a piece of work which shows an ability to communicate.
  • Make critical remarks/express disagreement without causing offence.
  • Scan texts for relevant information, and grasp the main topic of a text.
  • Write a piece of work whose message can be followed throughout.

C1 Advanced is targeted at CEFR Level C1 (180–199 on the Cambridge English Scale). The following scores are used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score, Grade/CEFR, CEFR level
200–210, Grade A, C2
193–199, Grade B, C1
180–192, Grade C, C1
160–179, Level B2, B2

Scores are also reported between 142 and 159, although candidates do not receive a certificate.

Find out more about understanding results for our exams

The exam is made up of four papers developed to test different aspects of candidates’ English skills:

Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes)
8 parts/ 56 questions
Shows that students can deal confidently with different types of text. This paper also requires candidates to demonstrate their control of grammar and vocabulary.

Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)
2 parts
Requires students to produce two different pieces of writing including a compulsory academic essay.

Listening (about 40 minutes)
4 parts/ 30 questions
Requires students to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations.

Speaking (15 minutes per pair of candidates)
4 parts
The speaking test is conducted face-to-face with two examiners and at least one other candidate for a more authentic exercise in communication.

Download sample papers and find out more about C1 Advanced

C2 Proficiency

C2 Proficiency (also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English) is our highest-level qualification. It proves that students have the English skills to study demanding subjects, including postgraduate and PhD programmes. It shows that students can communicate with fluency and sophistication similar to a highly competent speaker of English.

  • Talk about complex or sensitive issues, and deal confidently with difficult questions.
  • Understand colloquial asides and cultural allusions.
  • Write confidently on any given topic.
  • Make accurate and complete notes during a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Negotiate and persuade effectively at senior management level in international business settings.

C2 Proficiency is targeted at CEFR Level C2 (200+ on the Cambridge English Scale). The following scores are used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score, Grade, CEFR level
220–230, Grade A, C2
213–219, Grade B, C2
200–212, Grade C, C2
180–199, Level C1, C1

Scores are also reported between 162 and 179, although candidates do not receive a certificate.

Find out more about understanding results for our exams

The exam is made up of four papers developed to test different aspects of candidates’ English skills:

Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes)
7 parts/ 53 questions
Shows that students can deal confidently with different types of text. Students are also expected to show their control of grammar and use of vocabulary.

Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)
2 parts
Requires students to be able to write a variety of text types. The paper includes a compulsory essay.

Listening (about 40 minutes)
4 parts/ 30 questions
Requires students to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as lectures, speeches and interviews.

Speaking (16 minutes per pair of candidates)
3 parts
Candidates take their test face-to-face with at least one other candidate and two examiners. This gives a more authentic exercise in communication.

Download sample papers and find out more about C2 Proficiency

For Business

We also offer Cambridge English Qualifications for business and a range of teaching qualifications. Please contact us.

For Institutions, Governments and Employers

CEL-Cambridge English Languages is an official Admissions Centre offering the computer based and paper based Admission Tests in Switzerland. See all informatin and registration here.

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