Mrs EnglishCambridge English Qualification (CEFR)
Cambridge English Qualifications are in-depth exams that make learning English enjoyable, effective and rewarding. Our unique approach encourages continuous progression with a clear path to improve language skills.
Pre A1-starters
Test format
Pre A1 Starters is made up of three papers developed to encourage and motivate young learners. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (about 20 minutes) |
4 parts/ 20 questions | a maximum of five shields |
| Reading and Writing (20 minutes) |
5 parts/ 25 questions | a maximum of five shields |
| Speaking (3–5 minutes) |
4 parts | a maximum of five shields |
Test format
A1 Movers is made up of three papers developed to encourage and motivate young learners. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (about 25 minutes) |
5 parts/ 25 questions | a maximum of five shields |
| Reading and Writing (30 minutes) |
6 parts/ 35 questions | a maximum of five shields |
| Speaking (5–7 minutes) |
4 parts | a maximum of five shields |
Test format
A2 Flyers is made up of three papers developed to encourage and motivate young learners. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (about 25 minutes) |
5 parts/ 25 questions | a maximum of five shields |
| Reading and Writing (40 minutes) |
7 parts/ 44 questions | a maximum of five shields |
| Speaking (7–9 minutes) |
4 parts | a maximum of five shields |
Intermediate
Exam format
A2 Key is made up of three papers developed to test your English skills. You can see exactly what is in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing (1 hour) See sample paper |
7 parts/ 32 questions |
50% | Shows you can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. |
| Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time) See sample paper |
5 parts/ 25 questions |
25% | Requires you to be able to understand announcements and other spoken material when people speak reasonably slowly. |
| Speaking (8–10 minutes per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
2 parts | 25% | Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your Speaking test will be conducted face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. |
Exam format
A2 Key for Schools is made up of three papers developed to test your English skills. You can see exactly what is in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing (1 hour) See sample paper |
7 parts/ 32 questions |
50% | Shows you can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. |
| Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time) See sample paper |
5 parts/ 25 questions |
25% | Requires you to be able to understand announcements and other spoken material when people speak reasonably slowly. |
| Speaking (8–10 minutes per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
2 parts | 25% | Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your Speaking test will be conducted face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. |
Exam format
B1 Preliminary is made up of four papers developed to test students’ English skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (45 minutes) See sample paper |
6 parts/ 32 questions |
25% | Shows you can read and understand the main points from signs, newspapers and magazines. |
| Writing (45 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts/ 2 questions |
25% | Shows you can use vocabulary and structure correctly. |
| Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time) See sample paper |
4 parts/ 25 questions |
25% | You have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including announcements and discussions about everyday life. |
| Speaking (12–17 minutes per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
4 parts | 25% | Shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. Your Speaking test will be conducted face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. |
Exam format
B1 Preliminary for Schools is made up of four papers developed to test students’ English skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Marks (% of total) |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (45 minutes) See sample paper |
6 parts/ 32 questions |
25% | Shows you can read and understand the main points from signs, newspapers and magazines. |
| Writing (45 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts/ 2 questions |
25% | Shows you can use vocabulary and structure correctly. |
| Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time) See sample paper |
4 parts/ 25 questions |
25% | You have to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including announcements and discussions about everyday life. |
| Speaking (12–17 minutes per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
4 parts | 25% | Shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. Your Speaking test will be conducted face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. |
Exam format
B2 First is a test of all areas of language ability.
The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.
| Paper | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes) See sample paper |
7 parts/52 questions | Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with tasks that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary. |
| Writing (1 hour 20 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts | Requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, reviews and essays. |
| Listening (about 40 minutes) See sample paper |
4 parts/30 questions | Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations. |
| Speaking (14 minutes per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
4 parts | Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face to face situations. You will take the Speaking test with one or two other candidates. |
Exam format
The updated B2 First for Schools exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test students’ English language skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English (1 hour 15 minutes) See sample paper |
7 parts/52 questions | Students need to be able to understand a range of texts, including how they are organised and the opinions and attitudes expressed in them. The texts will be from sources familiar to school-aged learners, such as magazines, articles, fiction and advertisements, but targeted at the interests of students.
Students’ use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary. |
| Writing (1 hour 20 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts | Students are required to produce two pieces of writing. The first piece is compulsory and will be an essay of 140–190 words. For the second, they can choose from an article, email/letter, essay, review or story of 140–190 words. |
| Listening (about 40 minutes) See sample paper |
4 parts/30 questions | Requires being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials, such as news programmes, public announcements and other sources, but targeted at the interests of school-aged learners. |
| Speaking (14 minues per pair of candidates) See sample paper |
4 parts | A face to face test taken with one or two other candidates and an examiner. Students have to show how well they can produce spontaneous spoken language, talking with either the examiner, the other candidate, or by themselves. |
Advanced Level
Exam format
C1 Advanced is a thorough test of all areas of language ability.
The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.
| Paper | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes) See sample paper |
8 parts/ 56 questions |
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with different types of exercise that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary. |
| Writing (1 hour 30 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts | You create two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports and reviews. |
| Listening (about 40 minutes) See sample paper |
4 parts/ 30 questions |
Tests your ability 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) See sample paper |
4 parts | Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face–to–face situations. You will take the Speaking test with another candidate. |
Exam format
C2 Proficiency is made up of four papers developed to test your English skills. You can see exactly what is in each paper below.
| Paper | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes) See sample paper |
7 parts/ 53 questions |
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and manuals. |
| Writing (1 hour 30 minutes) See sample paper |
2 parts | Requires you to be able to write a variety of text types, such as essays, reports and reviews. |
| Listening (about 40 minutes) See sample paper |
4 parts/ 30 questions |
Requires you 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) See sample paper |
3 parts | Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. |
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