Cambridge Assessment English, previously known as Cambridge English, is an organisation which is part of the prestigious University of Cambridge. For over a hundred years, this organisation has developed a series of exams which are internationally recognised. These exams certify candidates’ English proficiency and they are accepted by thousands of universities and businesses worldwide. For this reason, certifying your English level with one of these exams is a great way to open new doors to advance your academic and professional career.
Cambridge Assessment English exams assess different linguistic skills. Depending on each certificate, there are more or fewer parts to assess your skills. But in general, every exam consists of the following parts:
The number of parts of each exam depends on the level you want to certify. For instance, in lower-intermediate and intermediate levels there is no “Use of English” as such, as this part is only present in higher-level exams.
Cambridge Assessment English exams are mapped out according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), which establishes 6 main levels of linguistic competence:
Following the levels above, Cambridge Assessment English developed an exam to certify each level, starting at level A2.
A2 Key: previously known as Key English Test (KET), it is the most basic exam designed for teenage and adult learners. It assesses whether the candidate can communicate in simple situations at a basic level.
B1 Preliminary: previously known as Preliminary English Test (PET), this test is designed to certify an intermediate level of English. It assesses whether candidates can communicate in daily situations, read simple texts and be able to communicate simple ideas in written form. It is usually taken by teenagers and university students.
B2 First: previously known as First Certificate in English (FCE), it is considered the first valid certificate at an academic and professional level. This is the first exam which evaluates candidates’ grammar and vocabulary through the previously mentioned Use of English part.
C1 Advanced: previously known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), it certifies that a candidate has an advanced level of English, being able to express more abstract ideas and communicate using a wide range of advanced English structures. It is the perfect certificate for college students who will be working in an international environment.
C2 Proficiency: previously known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), it certifies whether candidates have a native-like level of English. Typically, this exam is taken by people who require an extremely advanced command of the English language.
Cambridge Assessment English exams are taken by over 5 million people every year across 130 countries, and they are widely accepted for many different purposes, among which we can highlight:
So if you’re interested in any of the above, I suggest you visit Cambridge Assessment English website and look for the exam which suits your needs and your nearest examination centre, where you can look up the exam dates and where to take it.
Luis P. Wadley is an English language teacher, blogger and translator (English-Spanish) specialised in Cambridge Assessment English exams. He owns an English language academy called Academia de inglés en Granada KSE Academy, which is based in Granada, in the south of Spain. As part of his job, he writes regular articles helping learners of English to improve their level, and creates original resources for Cambridge English exams.
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