Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a fluent speaker wanting to perfect your language skills, whether you’re a student or a professional, we have the exam for you. Find which General English qualification suits you best.
General English
A2 Key (KET) and A2 Key for Schools (KET)
A2 Key (KET), previously known as the Key English Test (KET), is the lowest level General English exam in the Cambridge Assessment English range. It shows that you can communicate in basic English in everyday situations.
A2 Key for Schools (KET for Schools) is at the same level as A2 Key and leads to exactly the same internationally accepted certificate. The only difference is that the exam content is targeted at the interests and experiences of schoolchildren.
Level of qualification: Elementary = A2 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
You should take the A2 Key if you have done about 250 hours of study or practice and can speak, write and understand basic English. This exam is the first step in building your English language skills for work or study in the future. To take the exam you should be able to:
- ask and answer questions about yourself and others
- understand announcements and instructions when people speak slowly and clearly
- tell people what you think about something you read or hear.
What is the exam format?
There are three parts to the exam. You do the Reading and Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on a different day. You do the Speaking with two examiners and one other exam candidate.
| A2 Key / A2 Key for Schools | Reading and Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 1 hr 10 mins | 30 mins | 8-10 mins per pair of candidates |
| Marks (% of total) | 50% | 25% | 25% |
B1 Preliminary (PET) and B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET)
B1 Preliminary (PET) is previously known as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and Preliminary for Schools (PET). This exam shows that you can communicate in English in practical, everyday situations. It will give you a good foundation if you want to study for a professional English qualification.
Level of qualification: Intermediate = B1 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
Studying for the B1 Preliminary (PET) exam will improve your English so that you can communicate when travelling or dealing with English speakers for work.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- express your likes and dislikes, and discuss them with others
- understand spoken and written announcements and instructions
- write a personal letter or take notes from a meeting or discussion.
How does the exam process work?
There are three parts to the exam. You do the Reading and Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on a different day. You do the Speaking with two examiners and one other exam candidate.
| B1 Preliminary (PET) / B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET) | Reading and Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 1 hr 30 mins | 30 mins | 10-12 mins per pair of candidates |
| Marks (% of total) | 50% | 25% | 25% |
B2 First (FCE) and B2 First for Schools (FCE)
B2 First (FCE) is also called the First Certificate in English (FCE) and First Certificate in English for Schools (FCE). This general English qualification proves that you can speak and write English well enough to work or study in an English-speaking environment.
Level of qualification: Upper intermediate = B2 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
You should study for the B2 First (FCE) if you want to work in an English-speaking business, live in an English-speaking country or study a foundation-level or pre-university course taught in English.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- write short reports and emails
- explain an idea or have a detailed discussion in English
- understand general English on TV and in newspapers.
How does the exam process work?
There are five parts to the B2 First (FCE). You will complete papers Reading, Writing, Use of Engilsh and Listening on the same day. The Speaking may be on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other candidate.
| B2 First (FCE) / B2 First for Schools (FCE) | Reading | Writing | Use of English | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 1hr | 1 hr 20 mins | 45 mins | 40 mins | 14 mins |
| Marks (% of total) | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
C1 Advanced (CAE)
C1 Advanced (CAE) is also known as the Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE). This general English qualification shows that your English is of a standard expected of a professional business person or an undergraduate university student.
Level of qualification: Advanced = C1 on the Common European Framework
Who should take this exam?
You should take C1 Advanced (CAE) if you want to prove to employers or universities that you can communicate confidently in English in professional and high-level academic situations. To take the exam you should be able to:
- write complex reports and emails, and take notes in meetings or lectures
- give presentations on complicated ideas in English
- understand a variety of texts, from fiction to newspaper opinion pieces.
How does the exam process work?
There are five parts to the C1 Advanced (CAE) exam. You will complete papers Reading, Writing, Use of English and Listening on the same day. The Speaking may be on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other candidate.
| C1 Advanced (CAE) | Reading | Writing | Use of English | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 1hr 15 mins | 1 hr 30 mins | 1 hr | 40 mins | 15 mins per pair of candidates |
| Marks (% of total) | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
C2 Proficiency (CPE)
C2 Proficiency (CPE) is also known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). This qualification shows that you have mastered English and can use it fluently in demanding research, academic and professional situations. This is the highest Cambridge Assessment English qualification.
Level of qualification: Proficient = C2 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
You should take the C2 Proficiency (CPE) if you want to prove to employers that you can use English at a senior management level, or if you want to study at postgraduate or PhD level at an English-speaking university.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- understand almost everything you hear or read in English
- use and understand formal, academic and colloquial language
- negotiate, argue and discuss the subtle issues of complex subjects.
How does the exam process work?
There are four parts to the C2 Proficiency (CPE) exam. You will complete papers Reading & Use of English, Writing and Listening on the same day. The Speaking may be on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other candidate.
| C2 Proficiency (CPE) | Reading and Use of English | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 1hr 30 mins | 1hr 30 mins | 40 mins | 16 mins per pair of candidates |
| Marks (% of total) | 40% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Sitting a Cambridge Assessment English examination in Sri Lanka
Register for Cambridge Assessment English exams in Sri Lanka.
Results for paper based exams are available between four and six weeks after you take the exam and results for computer based exams are available two weeks after you take the exam.
Watch this video of students like you to find out what our candidates say about their experience of sitting their exams with the British Council.