All About the Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge exams are used by students, professionals, and job-seekers around the world to prove their English level. Cambridge English (part of Cambridge Assessment) administers the exams below, and Cambridge also helped develop the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the six-level scale (A1 to C2) used across Europe to describe language ability. Because Cambridge results don’t expire, they’re a popular choice for anyone who wants a permanent, internationally recognized record of their level, unlike some tests that need to be retaken every couple of years.

The general English exam ladder

Cambridge’s general English exams form a ladder, each one built for a specific CEFR level. Choosing the right rung matters: an exam that’s too far above your level wastes preparation time and risks a fail, while one that’s too far below undersells your actual ability to employers or universities.

KET: Key English Test

The Key English Test is designed for elementary-level students, equivalent to A2 in CEFR (a score below 4 on IELTS). It has three sections: reading and writing, listening, and speaking. It’s a solid first Cambridge qualification if you’re building foundational English and want an internationally recognized certificate to mark your progress.

PET: Preliminary English Test

The Preliminary English Test sits at intermediate level, B1 in CEFR (around 4.5 in IELTS), and also has three sections: reading, writing, and listening. It’s often described as the level where you can comfortably manage everyday situations in an English-speaking country, like traveling, shopping, and simple workplace conversations.

FCE: First Certificate in English

The First Certificate in English is aimed at upper-intermediate students, B2 in CEFR (around 6 in IELTS). Like the CAE above it, the FCE has five sections: reading, writing, use of English (grammar and vocabulary), listening, and a speaking interview. Many universities and employers treat B2 as the practical threshold for working or studying comfortably in English.

CAE: Certificate in Advanced English

The CAE targets advanced learners at C1 in CEFR, and has the same five sections as the FCE (reading, writing, use of English, listening, and a speaking interview). A C1 certificate is frequently accepted by universities and employers as strong enough proof of English for demanding academic or professional environments.

CPE: Certificate of Proficiency in English

The Certificate of Proficiency in English is the most difficult of the five, mapped to C2 in CEFR (a 9 in IELTS), the top of the scale. It’s recommended only once you’re genuinely confident in your English ability across all skills. Like the CAE and FCE, it covers reading, composition, use of language, listening, and an interview.

The business Cambridge exams

If your goal is a professional or workplace context rather than general or academic English, Cambridge also offers two business-focused exams.

• BULATS (Business Language Testing Service): a multi-level test that gives you a score similar to an IELTS band, available as a computer test or a standard test with four sections that can be taken separately: listening and reading combined, language knowledge, speaking, and writing. It’s a flexible option when you only need to prove one or two specific skills.
• BEC (Business English Certificate): offered at three levels, BEC Preliminary (B1), BEC Vantage (B2), and BEC Higher (C1). It’s designed specifically to prepare candidates for, or complement, business English courses, with vocabulary and case-study style tasks drawn from real workplace situations.

How to choose the right Cambridge exam

Start with your goal, not the exam name. If a university or employer has specified a level (commonly B2 or C1), work backward from that requirement. If you’re not sure of your current level, a placement test with a teacher is far more reliable than guessing from how confident you feel in conversation, since confidence and accuracy don’t always match at the intermediate levels. And if your goal is workplace English specifically rather than general or academic English, BULATS or BEC will usually be more relevant preparation than the general ladder. Preparing for IELTS or TOEFL instead? Our IELTS listening tips and TOEFL speaking tips cover exam-specific preparation habits, and our English exam preparation page compares all the options side by side.

Frequently asked questions