00 / Overview
Cambridge English
Cambridge English exams test general English at four CEFR levels, from B1 Preliminary up to C2 Proficiency. Each certificate states the level a candidate reached.
01 / Purpose
Cambridge English exams test reading, writing, listening and speaking. They show what a candidate can do with English in study, work and daily life. They test language use across all four skills, not a fixed word list.
02 / Examination body
Cambridge English is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. It writes the exams, sets the standards and issues the certificates.
03 / The History of Cambridge English Exams
Cambridge English exams trace their origins to 1913, when the University of Cambridge introduced an English proficiency examination for non-native speakers. More than a century later, that initiative has developed into an international system of English-language qualifications used for education, employment and other purposes.
By November 2024, Cambridge reported that 100 million Cambridge English exams and tests had been taken worldwide since 1913. Its qualifications and tests are available internationally and are recognised by more than 25,000 organisations.
1913 — The first English exam
Three candidates sat the original Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The exam lasted 12 hours and included translation, dictation and phonetic transcription. The initial target audience included people who wanted to teach English abroad.
1939–1946 — A broader qualification system
Cambridge introduced the Lower Certificate in English in 1939 and the Diploma in English Studies in 1946. The organisation was moving beyond a single advanced-level examination towards qualifications serving different needs.
Post-war decades — International expansion
Candidate numbers increased as English became more important for education and employment. By 1947, the three English qualifications had approximately 6,283 candidates combined; by 1955, that figure had reached 20,388.
1970s–1990s — Modern exam formats develop
Cambridge broadened its qualifications to serve learners at different proficiency levels and practical purposes. The exam system became increasingly relevant to general English learners, students seeking university admission and professionals. IELTS also developed during this period and relaunched under that name in 1990.
2013 — The centenary
The organisation marked 100 years of Cambridge English exams and adopted the name Cambridge Assessment English, replacing University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. By then, annual candidate numbers exceeded four million.
2021–2024 — Digital assessment and a major milestone
Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment merged in 2021 to form Cambridge University Press & Assessment. In November 2024, the organisation announced that its English exams and tests had reached 100 million cumulative sittings worldwide.
04 / Levels and scores
On the Cambridge English Scale, a Grade B or C in B2 First scores 160–179. A Grade B or C in C1 Advanced scores 180–199.
| Exam | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| A1 Movers | A1 |
| A2 Key | A2 |
| B1 Preliminary | B1 |
| B2 First | B2 |
| C1 Advanced | C1 |
| C2 Proficiency | C2 |
These are the four main adult levels, plus A1 Movers and A2 Key for young learners. Word pages show the A1 to C2 benchmarks.
05 / Where to take it
Exams run at approved exam centres in many countries, often at language schools and universities. Find a centre and exam dates on the Cambridge English website. Some levels are also offered on computer.
06 / How useful it is
Universities, employers and governments accept Cambridge certificates as proof of English. Many courses and jobs ask for one specific level, so check the level before you book.
Check the rules of the institution that asks for your certificate. They may also set how recent a certificate must be.