A Quick Guide to the CEFR

You took a language test and received a score based on your level. What do your results mean? This quick guide will help you understand your results:

Beginner

You can communicate at a basic level and exchange very simple information about yourself. You can also read and understand basic signs, instructions and information. You can complete basic forms, and write notes which include times, dates and places.

Pre-Intermediate

You can express simple opinions and talk about your personal needs. You can also understand simple texts in familiar areas, such as on products and signs, and in uncomplicated textbooks and reports. You can write short letters and postcards that share basic information about yourself.

Exams

• The Key English Test (KET)

Intermediate

You can express opinions about abstract topics or cultural matters and offer advice within familiar contexts. You can also understand predictable articles, and the general meaning of unfamiliar or unexpected texts. You can write letters and make notes about familiar subjects.

Exams

• Preliminary English Test (PET)

• Business Preliminary (BEC)

Upper-Intermediate

You can follow or conduct a presentation on familiar subjects, and can participate in conversations about a wide variety of different topics. You can quickly find the information that you need in a range of texts and understand details in instructions or advice. You can write a letter which contains unfamiliar information and makes non-standard requests.

Exams

• First Certificate in English (FCE)

• Business Vantage (BEC)

Advanced

You can follow and participate in abstract arguments, and draw conclusions. You can handle texts quickly enough to manage the demands of an academic course, and you can write engaging essays and texts with few difficulties for the reader.

Exams

• Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

• Business Higher (BEC)

Proficient

You can advise and talk about complex or sensitive issues, and you can understand colloquial references. You can understand highly specialized and complex texts to the extent of your area of specialty, and can write texts with native-like expression and accuracy.

Exams

• Proficiency Certificate in English (CPE)