Test levels
International Certificate
All six levels of proficiency (A1, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) are designed to assess and accredit general English language ability. The levels are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and accredited by Ofqual in the UK.
The International Certificate is provided in partnership with Edexcel Limited, the largest UK awarding body for academic and vocational qualifications. Edexcel Limited is the official awarding body for the International Certificate.
Jump to - Foundation Level, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5.
Exam updates
The new times for the speaking tests will be as follows:
| Level | Test time |
|---|---|
| Foundation Level | 3.5 min |
| Level 1 | 3.5 min |
| Level 2 | 5.5 min |
| Level 3 | 5.5 min |
| Level 4 | 6 min |
| Level 5 | 6 min |
International Certificate levels
Foundation Level
Exam time: 1hr 15 mins
Speaking test: 3.5 mins
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level A1.
Download our Guide to the International Certificate - Level A1 (PDF)
Who is it for?
This test is for test takers with a beginner knowledge of English, sufficient for survival in social, travel and everyday situations. Test takers will be expected to understand very short, simple information and to express themselves simply and briefly, in both speech and in writing.
How is it structured?
The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level A1 Foundation the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters, such as home and shopping.
About the test
It contains nine sections which assess the listening, writing and reading, and speaking skills. The description of the tested items include multiple choice, open-ended questions, and text writing.
Spoken test
This is a 3.5 minute session consisting of a timed interaction between a test taker and an interlocutor. There are two sections to the test:
- describe picture
- role play
Please read the test guide document for more detailed information on the test structure.
Level 1
Exam time: 1 hr 35 mins
Speaking test: 3.5 mins
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level A2.
Download our Guide to the International Certificate - Level 1 (PDF)
Who is it for?
This test is for test takers with a beginner knowledge of English, sufficient for survival in social, travel and everyday situations. Test takers will be expected to understand very short, simple information and to express themselves simply and briefly, in both speech and in writing.
How is it structured?
The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 1 Foundation the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters such as hobbies, home, transport, and school.
Spoken test
This is a 3.5 minute session consisting of a timed interaction between a test taker and an interlocutor. There are two sections to the test:
- describe picture
- role play
Please read the test guide document for more detailed information on the test structure.
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Level 2
Exam time: 1 hr 35 mins
Speaking test: 5.5 mins
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level B1.
Download our Guide to the International Certificate - Level 2 (PDF)
Who is it for?
This test is for test takers with intermediate English for practical use in study, work, travel and other everyday purposes. Test takers will be expected to understand and express in speaking, and writing information, ideas, feelings, opinions and common functions about everyday situations in straightforward spoken and written language.
How is it structured?
The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 2 Intermediate the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters such as tourism, entertainment, travel, and education.
Spoken test
This is a 5.5 minute session, consisting of a timed interaction between a test taker and an interlocutor. There are three sections to the test.
- discussion
- describe picture
- role play
Please read the test guide document for more detailed information on the test structure.
Level 3
Exam time: two hours
Speaking test: 5.5 mins
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level B2.
Download our Guide to the International Certificate - Level 3 (PDF)
Who is it for?
This test is for test takers with intermediate English for practical use in study, work, travel and other everyday purposes. Test takers will be expected to understand and express in speaking, and writing information, ideas, feelings, opinions and common functions about everyday situations in straightforward spoken and written language.
How is it structured?
The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 3 Intermediate the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters, such as home and shopping.
Spoken test
This is a 5.5 minute session, consisting of a timed interaction between a test taker and an interlocutor. There are three sections to the test.
- discussion
- describe picture
- role play
Please read the test guide document for more detailed information on the test structure.
Level 4
Exam time: two hours, 30 minutes
Speaking time: 6 mins
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level C1.
Download our Guide to the International Certificate - Level 4 (PDF)
Who is it for?
This test is for test takers who are applying for higher education in an English speaking institution and/or are wishing to demonstrate an advanced level in English for social, academic and vocational purposes.
Test takers will be expected to understand the explicit and implicit meaning of an extensive range of complex, written and spoken communication in social, academic and professional contexts, and to express experiences, opinions and attitudes accurately, appropriately, flexibly and effectively in the spoken and written form.
How is it structured?
The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 4 the theme tends to be quite abstract, such as global issues like pollution and conservation.
Spoken test
This is a 6 minute session, consisting of a timed interaction between a test taker and an interlocutor. There are three sections to the test.
- discussion
- describe picture
- role play
Please read the test guide document for more detailed information on the test structure.
Level 5
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level C2
Speaking time: 6 mins
Written test (two hours and 55 minutes)
Download our Guide to the International Certificate - Level 5 (PDF)
Who is it for?
This test is for test takers who are applying for higher education in an English-speaking institution and/or are wishing to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English for social, academic and professional purposes.
Test takers will be expected to understand stated and unstated functions and the explicit and implicit meaning of the content of written and spoken communication in a wide range of social, academic and professional contexts, and to express themselves in the spoken and written form effectively with a high degree of accuracy, appropriacy and style.
How is it structured?
The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 5 the theme tends to be quite abstract, such as global issues like pollution and conservation.
Spoken test
This is a 6 minute session, consisting of a timed interaction between a test taker and an interlocutor. There are three sections to the test.
- discussion
- describe picture
- role play
Please read the test guide document for more detailed information on the test structure.