Key Facts
| Digital exam results availability | 5–10 working days after the exam session |
|---|---|
| Paper-based exam results availability | Normally 4–6 weeks after the session |
| Paper certificates for digital exams | Usually sent to the exam centre within 3–4 weeks |
| Paper certificates for paper-based exams | Usually sent to the centre 7–10 weeks after the exam date |
| Organisations accepting Cambridge English exams | Over 25,000 universities, employers and governments |
Figures correct at the time of writing. Confirm current fees and deadlines with the school or university directly.
Cambridge English exams are a ladder of qualifications from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, running from A2 Key through B1 Preliminary, B2 First and C1 Advanced to C2 Proficiency, with each exam pitched at one level of the CEFR. Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, and the certificate does not expire.
Most adults choose between B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency when applying to universities or employers, whilst A2 Key and B1 Preliminary suit earlier stages of learning. Most exams can be taken on paper or on a computer, and the same qualification results either way. A2 Key is moving to digital only, whilst A2 Key for Schools stays available in both formats.
What are Cambridge English Qualifications?
Cambridge English Qualifications are English language exams from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, each aimed at one CEFR level and each testing reading, writing, listening and speaking. The certificate you receive does not expire, although a university or employer decides for itself how long it will accept a result, so it is worth checking the requirement of the organisation you are applying to.
The range includes Young Learners exams from Pre A1 to A2, then the five general and higher education exams covered here. A2 Key, B1 Preliminary and B2 First also have for Schools versions, whilst C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are listed as single exams.
What does each exam contain?
A2 Key has three papers and takes about one hour forty minutes, whilst B1 Preliminary has four papers and takes about two hours twenty minutes. A2 Key combines Reading and Writing in one hour (32 questions), then adds a 30-minute Listening paper with 25 questions and a Speaking test of 8 to 10 minutes per pair. B1 Preliminary separates Reading (45 minutes, 32 questions) from Writing (45 minutes, an email and an article or story), with Listening at 30 minutes and Speaking at 10 to 12 minutes per pair; each paper carries 25 per cent of the total marks.
B2 First has four papers and takes about three and a half hours. Reading and Use of English lasts 1 hour 15 minutes with 52 questions across seven parts, Writing lasts 1 hour 20 minutes at 140 to 190 words per task, Listening lasts about 40 minutes with 30 questions, and Speaking lasts 14 minutes per pair.
C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency each have four papers and take about four hours. C1 Advanced has Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes, 56 questions, eight parts), Writing (1 hour 30 minutes, 220 to 260 words per answer), Listening (about 40 minutes, 30 questions) and Speaking (15 minutes per pair). C2 Proficiency has Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes, 53 questions, seven parts), Writing (an essay of 240 to 280 words based on two short texts, then a 280 to 320 word article, letter, report or review), Listening (30 questions) and Speaking (16 minutes per pair, three parts).
Cambridge English Exams tutors
Mark
Master TutorI have thirty years in education, including Head of English at an independent school and GCSE and A-Level examiner. I teach English, Literature, Language, Creative Writing and Critical Thinking, ages four to eighteen. I start from what a student can already do and adapt my methods to them.
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Johanna
Expert TutorI have two decades' teaching experience in English Literature, English Language and Philosophy, and hold a PhD in English Literature. I teach GCSE, A-Level, Oxbridge entrance and UCAS personal statements. My approach is person-centred, working through dialogue and ongoing assessment.
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Patryk
Expert TutorI have six years' full-time teaching experience and hold Oxford degrees in Classics and Ancient Languages. I teach Latin, History, English, French and Oxbridge preparation from 11+ to Master's level. My approach is student-centred, using dialogue to check understanding as we progress.
Enquire about this tutorWhat are the for Schools versions?
The for Schools versions are A2 Key for Schools, B1 Preliminary for Schools and B2 First for Schools, which share their level and format pages with the standard exams. At B2 First, the Writing task types show one visible difference, because a story task appears in B2 First for Schools only and a report task appears in B2 First only.
An adult who is preparing for university, work or registration will normally sit the standard version.
How are Cambridge English results and certificates reported?
Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, which gives a score for each skill and an overall score from the average, together with a grade and a CEFR level. Because every exam sits on the same scale, a result from one exam can be compared with another and progress between levels can be tracked.
Each exam also reports one level below its target. A candidate sitting B2 First who scores 140 to 159 receives a certificate at Level B1, and one who scores 180 to 190 receives Grade A at C1. At C1 Advanced, Grade A (200 to 210) is reported at C2, and at C2 Proficiency the grades run from 200 upwards at C2 with Level C1 reported at 180 to 199.
Results can be viewed through the free Online Results Service, using registration details from your exam centre. Organisations can verify a result with the reference number and date of birth.
| Exam | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Level below |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key | 140–150 (B1) | 133–139 (A2) | 120–132 (A2) | Level A1: 100–119 (A1) |
| B1 Preliminary | 160–170 (B2) | 153–159 (B1) | 140–152 (B1) | Level A2: 120–139 (A2) |
| B2 First | 180–190 (C1) | 173–179 (B2) | 160–172 (B2) | Level B1: 140–159 (B1) |
| C1 Advanced | 200–210 (C2) | 193–199 (C1) | 180–192 (C1) | Level B2: 160–179 (B2) |
| C2 Proficiency | 220–230 (C2) | 213–219 (C2) | 200–212 (C2) | Level C1: 180–199 (C1) |
How do Cambridge English exams relate to IELTS?
IELTS is mapped to the Cambridge English Scale, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, as a producer of IELTS, publishes a comparison between IELTS band scores and Cambridge English Scale scores. Institutions can enter an IELTS requirement into an online score converter and receive the equivalent scale score.
The two tests work differently in practice, because Cambridge English exams are passed at a target level with grades and certificates, whilst IELTS reports band scores. If an organisation names IELTS, ask it whether it accepts a Cambridge English score and at what level, since the choice belongs to the organisation.
Who accepts Cambridge English exams?
Universities, employers and governments in many countries accept Cambridge English exams, and Cambridge names institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, King's College London and Monash University as examples. B2 First is accepted for entry to foundation, pathway and pre-sessional courses in English-speaking countries and for undergraduate programmes taught in English in non-English-speaking countries.
Acceptance varies by organisation, course and, for visas, by the immigration authority concerned. Check the requirement of your university or employer, which will state the exam, the overall score and any minimum score per skill.
Is it better to take the exam on paper or on computer?
Both formats lead to the same qualification, so the choice depends on which format suits you and which sessions your centre offers. Cambridge states that there is no need to change the way you prepare, and the paper formats are the same for the digital and paper-based exams.
Digital exams offer faster results. Practise in the format you will sit, using the digital sample tests for Listening, Reading and Use of English and Writing, or the downloadable paper-based sample tests.
How can the right level be chosen and prepared for?
Choose the level at which you can complete the sample papers in the timings given, and check that it meets the requirement of your university, employer or professional body. Cambridge offers a free Test your English level check, which it describes as not an official exam, and the Qualifications pages list each exam by CEFR level.
Begin with a full sample paper under timed conditions, so that you know which paper is weakest. Then work on that paper first, using the free Reading and Listening practice, which explains why answers are right or wrong, and the Write & Improve tool, which gives feedback on your writing. Check each piece of writing against the Writing checklist, which includes a summary of the assessment criteria, and listen to the examiner comments on the sample speaking tests so that you can compare your own recorded answers with them.
Because the overall score is an average of the skill scores, a weak paper lowers the result and a strong one raises it. Spread your practice across all papers.
Guides in this series
- B2 First (FCE)
- C1 Advanced (CAE)
- What is IELTS? Format, versions and scoring
- What is IELTS? Format, versions and scoring
- What is ESOL?
- English requirements for UK visas by route
- English requirements for UK visas by route
English tuition for adults with Taylor Tuition
Adults who come to us for English usually know the situation they need it for, whether that is a job, a test or daily life in the UK, so lessons start with a level check against the CEFR scale and are then built around the tasks the learner actually faces.
English for adults is taught one-to-one or in small groups, at every level from beginner (CEFR A1) to proficient (C2), online or in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level, there is no registration fee and the initial consultation is free. Employers can book programmes for staff and are invoiced directly.
Read more about our Cambridge English exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.
For IELTS, see our IELTS preparation tutors.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Cambridge English certificates expire?
- The Cambridge English certificate does not expire. Universities, employers and other recognising organisations decide how long they will accept a result, so a certificate that is valid for life may still be refused by an organisation that wants a recent result. Check the requirement of the organisation before you register.
- How many papers does each Cambridge English exam have?
- A2 Key has three papers, because Reading and Writing are combined in one. B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency each have four papers. At B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency the first paper combines Reading with Use of English, followed by Writing, Listening and Speaking.
- Is it possible to score above the level of the exam being sat?
- Every exam except C2 Proficiency reports one level above its target, and every exam reports one level below. At B2 First, a Grade A of 180 to 190 is reported at C1, and at C1 Advanced a Grade A of 200 to 210 is reported at C2. A score below the lowest grade, such as under 140 at B2 First, may appear on the Statement of Results without a certificate.
- How is the Speaking test taken?
- Speaking is usually taken with another candidate, lasting 8 to 10 minutes per pair at A2 Key and 16 minutes per pair at C2 Proficiency. Where candidates are in a group of three, the time is longer, for example 20 minutes at B2 First. Your Confirmation of Entry from the exam centre gives the arrangements.
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