Cambridge English Qualifications
A ladder of examinations rather than a single test. Each one certifies a level of the Common European Framework, and the certificate does not expire.
The Cambridge English Qualifications run from Pre A1 Starters to C2 Proficiency. Unlike IELTS, which reports a band score from one sitting, these are level examinations: you prepare for a particular level, and the certificate states that you reached it.
The qualifications and their levels
| Qualification | CEFR level | Usually taken by |
|---|---|---|
| Pre A1 Starters | Pre A1 | Young learners meeting written English for the first time |
| A1 Movers | A1 | Young learners after Starters |
| A2 Flyers | A2 | Young learners completing the Young Learners ladder |
| A2 Key | A2 | Learners proving everyday basic English |
| B1 Preliminary | B1 | Learners working or studying in everyday English |
| B2 First | B2 | Learners needing English for work or study at upper-intermediate level |
| C1 Advanced | C1 | Learners applying to universities or professional roles |
| C2 Proficiency | C2 | Learners demonstrating English at the highest level |
How these differ from a school qualification
- They are not tied to a school year. A candidate takes the level they are ready for, at any age.
- They do not expire. A Cambridge English certificate has no stated validity period, unlike some tests taken for visa purposes.
- They test four skills every time. Reading, writing, listening and speaking are assessed at every level, including the Young Learners tests.
- Schools versions exist for some levels, using topics drawn from school life rather than the workplace, but the certificate is the same.
Level guides
Each guide gives the papers with their durations and parts, how the components are scored, the published grade boundaries, and a method for each paper.
B1 Preliminary
Four papers, each worth exactly a quarter. The cleanest arithmetic on the ladder.
- Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
- 25% each
- Grade A certifies B2
B2 First
Four papers but five scored components, because Use of English is counted separately.
- Reading and Use of English is 40%
- Five components at 20% each
- Grade A certifies C1
C1 Advanced
Eight parts in the Reading and Use of English paper, and the first level where a score can earn no certificate.
- Five components at 20% each
- Grade A certifies C2
- 142-159 earns no certificate
Grades across the ladder
| Qualification | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Lowest certificated band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key | 140-150 (B1) | 133-139 (A2) | 120-132 (A2) | 100-119 - Level A1 |
| B1 Preliminary | 160-170 (B2) | 153-159 (B1) | 140-152 (B1) | 120-139 - Level A2 |
| B2 First | 180-190 (C1) | 173-179 (B2) | 160-172 (B2) | 140-159 - Level B1 |
| C1 Advanced | 200-210 (C2) | 193-199 (C1) | 180-192 (C1) | 160-179 - Level B2 |
| C2 Proficiency | 220-230 (C2) | 213-219 (C2) | 200-212 (C2) | 180-199 - Level C1 |
How to read that table before you choose a level
Every one of these examinations can certify the level above it. A Grade A at B2 First certifies C1, which is the same level a Grade C at C1 Advanced certifies. If C1 is what you need and you are on the boundary, entering B2 First is a real option rather than a retreat.
Most of them also catch you. A score below the target level still produces a certificate one level down at A2 Key, B1 Preliminary, B2 First and C2 Proficiency.
C1 Advanced is the exception. Scores between 142 and 159 are reported on the Statement of Results but earn no certificate at all. It is the one level on this ladder where entering unready can leave you with nothing.
Still being written
Dedicated guides for A2 Key, C2 Proficiency and the Young Learners tests (Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers, A2 Flyers) are still to come. Their grade boundaries are in the table above.
Material that already transfers to any level: the Cambridge exams page in Practical English, and the four-skills pages for reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Cambridge English questions
Which Cambridge English exam should I take?
Take the one at the level you can already almost reach. If you can hold an everyday conversation and read simple articles, B1 Preliminary is realistic; if you are reading unadapted articles and writing structured essays, B2 First is the right target. Entering a level far above your current English produces a fail rather than a stretch, because these are level examinations rather than banded tests.
Do Cambridge English certificates expire?
Cambridge English states that its qualifications do not have an expiry date. Some universities and employers nevertheless prefer evidence of English from the last two or three years, so check the requirements of the institution you are applying to.
Is B2 First the same as IELTS 6.5?
They are not the same test and cannot be swapped freely. Cambridge publishes a comparison of its qualifications against the CEFR and against IELTS scores, and B2 First sits in the same broad region as the middle IELTS bands. Always check the exact requirement of the university or employer, because they specify the test as well as the score.
Related pages
Cambridge exams in Practical English
Existing RCF material on TKT, YLE and FCE preparation.
IELTS preparation
The other route many international learners take.
Global English overview
All the international qualifications covered on this site.