Guides to language exams

What each exam actually asks of you, written plainly and sourced where the numbers matter. Where an awarding body publishes no figure, these pages say so rather than repeating one that other sites disagree about.

• CEFR levels explained: what A1 to C2 actually mean

  A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 — the scale behind every European language certificate. What each level means in practice, and which exam sits at which rung.

• CIPLE and the Portuguese citizenship language requirement

  Portuguese citizenship requires proof of A2 Portuguese. CIPLE is one common way to show it — here is what the language requirement covers, and what it does not.

• What is the CIPLE exam? Format, timing and sections

  CIPLE is the A2-level Portuguese certificate awarded by CAPLE. Here is what the three components are, how long each one lasts, and how much each counts.

• How CIPLE is scored, and what the pass mark means

  CIPLE passes at 55% overall, graded Suficiente, Bom or Muito Bom. Here is how the three components are weighted and what the grades mean.

• Preparing for CIPLE on your own

  You can prepare for the A2 Portuguese exam without a class. Here is what self-study handles well, where it usually breaks down, and how to cover the gap.

• DELE A2 and CCSE: the two exams for Spanish nationality

  Spanish citizenship usually means passing two separate exams — DELE A2 for language and CCSE for constitutional and cultural knowledge. Here is what each one is.

• B1 German for citizenship: which certificate counts

  German naturalisation asks for B1 German — but several different certificates satisfy it. Here is what B1 means and which exams are commonly accepted.

• Cambridge English exams explained: A2 Key to C2 Proficiency

  Cambridge English runs one exam per CEFR level, from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency, all reported on a single 80–230 scale. Here is how the ladder and the scoring work.