At the end of the test, you will receive an overall score and the details of the level achieved in each skill tested. These results are based on the CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). We have also added a level A1- for complete beginners taking their first steps in the language without any previous knowledge. Below is a description of each level (CEFR scale):
- A1 Beginner
You are a beginner but already have a basic understanding of the language. You can recognise and understand very simple and familiar words and sentences containing basic personal information or about everyday topics related to your immediate needs. You can understand a very limited number of frequently used simple grammatical structures. You can understand exchanges, questions and simple reactions in everyday social situations. You can recognise very basic words and phrases concerning yourself, your family and your immediate environment when the other person talks slowly and clearly.
- A2 Elementary
You can understand and identify the main points of simple everyday information, such as menus, timetables, brochures and basic written correspondence. You can understand simple grammatical structures and linking words between groups of words. You can understand articulate words and phrases and the vocabulary commonly used to explain surroundings, experiences and interests. You can identify basic social exchanges such as asking for or giving information, asking for or explaining directions, apologising, and accepting or refusing an invitation. You can understand the gist of opinions or ideas. You can understand frequently used phrases and expressions, the main points of simple, clear statements, and messages in everyday social and work situations.
- B1 Intermediate
When the language is clear and standard, you can understand the main points of familiar and topical subjects and descriptions of feelings, experiences and events.
You can understand texts written in everyday and work-related language, and reasoning and explanations related to an opinion, intention or plan. You can understand the relationship between interrelated elements connected with experiences, events, intentions and plans.
You can understand a wide range of words and expressions related to areas of immediate relevance, such as travel, work and social situations. You can understand enough of the most frequently used communicative expressions and standard phrases to identify opinions, agreement and disagreement, regret and similar feelings in everyday social and professional situations.
You can understand the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar, social and work-related topics as well as many radio and TV programmes about current affairs or your interests at relatively slow speeds.
- B2 Upper Intermediate
You can understand the complex development of clearly structured arguments on abstract and concrete topics, including particular points of view or attitudes and technical discussions, in areas in which you are familiar. You are able to understand articles and reports on contemporary issues in which the author adopts a particular attitude or point of view. You understand relatively complex grammatical structures and the relationship between ideas, even if sophisticated connectors are used.
You understand a wide range of lexical terms and expressions, including common idioms and phrasal verbs, in most general subjects as well as in your specialist area. You can discern nuances, registers of language (formal/informal), emotion and gratitude in most social and professional situations. You can grasp the meaning of expressions of judgement, justification, persuasion and argument. You can understand most TV and radio news, films and documentaries in standard language. In general, you can follow exchanges between native speakers if they are well articulated, even in a noisy environment.
- C1 Advanced
You are independent in the language. You can understand long and complex speeches and texts, as well as identify implicit and abstract or finer nuances. You can understand longer, more complex texts, including specialist articles, technical instructions and literary texts, whether or not they relate to your areas of interest, provided you can reread the material. Only the use of very complex grammatical structure will, on very rare occasions, impact your understanding of any written text. Your extensive command of vocabulary in a wide range of general, academic, professional and leisure topics enables you to understand almost any written text. You can identify different degrees of nuance in the expression of emotion, satire, humour, subjectivity or objectivity, and changes in language register in a wide range of sociolinguistic contexts, including the identification of hidden meanings, even in the latest forms of written communication such as internet chats and texts. You can follow a speech of some length, including idioms and regionalisms, even if it is not clearly structured and the relationships between ideas are implicit and not explicitly stated. You can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.
- C2 Mastery
You have a mastered the language. You can easily understand almost everything you hear or read and are able to distinguish finer nuances. You can read almost any form of writing, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as textbooks, specialist articles or literary works. You understand all grammatical uses, even the most unusual forms used to depict a particular mood, make an allusion, play on ambiguity or draw a conclusion. You understand with considerable ease all the lexical fields of general and specific terminology and the use, even unusual, of most idiomatic and colloquial expressions. You are able to appreciate the sociolinguistic and sociocultural implications of all language functions, whatever the context. You have no difficulty in understanding any form of spoken language, live or on the radio, even at a native speaker's speed, provided you have time to familiarise yourself with the accent. You are able to pick up non-verbal communication cues and intonations without apparent effort.