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.

• Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam format: modular scoring and passing criteria

  An in-depth guide to the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam: the 4 independent modules (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen), 60% passing mark, and preparation strategy.

• CILS B1 Cittadinanza: format, pass marks, and Italian citizenship requirement

  Complete guide to the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam for Italian nationality: the 4 components, 50% pass mark, no section compensation, and how to practice.

• DELF B1 for French citizenship: exam format, pass mark, and preparation

  A complete guide to the DELF B1 examination for French nationality: 4 tested skills, 50/100 pass mark, 5/25 eliminatory threshold, and practice advice.

• 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.