Frequently asked questions

It depends on your purpose and your current level. For study and general proof of English, candidates usually choose Cambridge English Qualifications, which run from A2 Key up to C2 Proficiency. For recruitment or class placement in a company or institution, Linguaskill is the usual choice. If you are not sure of your level, take the Placement Test first to find your CEFR level. It makes the next choice much easier.

Cambridge sets no restriction on age, gender, nationality, race or religion. You may take an exam even if English is your first language. Some exams are designed with an age group in mind. Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers are for primary and lower-secondary students, and the For Schools exams are written for secondary students. Our centre applies a minimum age and a guardian-consent threshold that vary by exam. Enter your date of birth during registration and the form tells you straight away whether you can sit that exam.

There are two routes. For Cambridge English Qualifications and Young Learners, the institution applies for the whole group and each candidate then receives an invitation email. Linguaskill Remote and the Placement Test can be booked directly by individuals.

We run exams at institutions rather than only at a fixed centre. If the person responsible at your school or organisation applies for group testing, you sit the exam there. If you are registering as an individual, Linguaskill Remote and the Placement Test can both be taken from home.

Cambridge estimates about 200 guided learning hours to move up one CEFR level. The real figure depends on your learning background, how intensively you study, your age, and how much English you meet outside lessons.

Comparison is made through the CEFR (A1–C2), the common international scale. A2 Key to C2 Proficiency and Linguaskill also report a Cambridge English Scale score, which allows a finer comparison.

Result timing varies by exam. • Linguaskill In-centre (at a test centre): 3–5 days after the test • Linguaskill Remote: 6–8 days after the test • Placement Test: results as soon as you finish • Cambridge English Qualifications (Digital): 5–10 working days after the test date • Cambridge English Qualifications (Paper): about 4–6 weeks after the test date • Young Learners (Digital): 5–10 days after the test date • Young Learners (Paper): about 4 weeks after the test date

Cambridge results do not expire. They show that on a particular date you demonstrated English at a specified level. The organisation receiving your result may still set its own limit. Some accept only results from the last two or three years, so check the requirements of the institution you are applying to.

Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level and Cambridge International AS and A Level are run by Cambridge Assessment International Education, a separate organisation. We cannot advise on them. Contact them on +44 1223 553554 or at cambridgeinternational.org. GCSE queries go to OCR.

Our centre does not run IELTS. Please contact the IELTS centre where you took your test.