Free English level test
What is your English level?
Answer 48 short questions and find out where your English sits on the CEFR scale, from A1 to C2. Built by language teachers, scored the moment you finish, and free.
- 48 questions
- About 10 minutes
- A1 to C2
- Result by email
- No payment, ever
Take the test
One question at a time, no time limit. Skip anything you are unsure of instead of guessing: an honest answer gives you a level you can actually book a course on.
This test has been updated. Please start over to get an accurate result.
Start over
Start this test again from the beginning? Your current answers will be cleared.
What your result tells you
Most level tests hand you a letter and leave you there. Yours arrives with the part that actually helps: what you can already do in English, and which class you should walk into on your first morning abroad.
1
Your CEFR level
One level from A1 to C2. The 48 questions are spread evenly over the six levels, eight per level, so your result rests on a pattern rather than one lucky answer.
2
What you can already do
A plain description of your level: the conversations you can hold, the texts you can read, and the situations that still cost you effort.
3
The course level to book
Which class fits you today, and roughly how many weeks of study sit between you and the next level up.
Example result
B2
Upper-Intermediate
33 of 48 correct
- You follow the news, work meetings and films without much strain.
- You argue a point and explain your reasoning, with the odd search for a word.
- Idioms, fast group conversation and formal writing are where you still lose ground.
- Book: an Upper-Intermediate general or business English course. Around 200 hours of study separates B2 from C1.
The six CEFR levels, from A1 to C2
CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is the scale schools, universities and employers use to describe language ability, so a B2 in Dublin means the same as a B2 in Malta. The hours below are an indication of total study time to reach each level, not a promise.
A1
Beginner
You introduce yourself, order a coffee and understand slow, simple sentences.
Around 100 hoursof study
A2
Elementary
You handle routine exchanges: shopping, directions, a short chat about your work.
180 to 200 hoursof study
B1
Intermediate
You get through a trip on your own and follow a conversation on familiar topics.
350 to 400 hoursof study
B2
Upper-Intermediate
You work and study in English, follow the news and hold your own in a discussion.
500 to 600 hoursof study
C1
Advanced
You express yourself fluently and precisely, including on complex, unfamiliar subjects.
700 to 800 hoursof study
C2
Proficiency
You read and hear almost anything with ease and summarise it in your own words.
1,000 to 1,200 hoursof study
Hours are cumulative guided learning hours from beginner, published by Cambridge English and the British Council as a guideline. Cambridge's table starts at A2, so the A1 figure is an indication. How fast you move depends on your other languages, your motivation and how much English you use outside the classroom.
Your English level in IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge terms
Universities, employers and immigration services rarely ask for a CEFR level and an exam score. They ask for one of the two. This table lines them up, so you know what your level is worth on paper before you pay for anything.
| CEFR | IELTS (overall band) | TOEFL iBT (0 to 120) | TOEFL iBT (1 to 6) | Cambridge English Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Beginner | Not reported | Not reported | 1 to 1.5 | 100 to 119 |
| A2 Elementary | Below 4.0 | 24 to 41 | 2 to 2.5 | 120 to 139, A2 Key |
| B1 Intermediate | 4.0 to 5.0 | 42 to 71 | 3 to 3.5 | 140 to 159, B1 Preliminary |
| B2 Upper-Intermediate | 5.5 to 6.5 | 72 to 94 | 4 to 4.5 | 160 to 179, B2 First |
| C1 Advanced | 7.0 to 8.0 | 95 to 113 | 5 to 5.5 | 180 to 199, C1 Advanced |
| C2 Proficiency | 8.5 to 9.0 | 114 to 120 | 6 | 200 to 230, C2 Proficiency |
Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports a 1 to 6 band with the CEFR level printed on the report itself, plus a comparable 0 to 120 score during a two year transition, so older scores stay readable until early 2028. Sources: the IELTS and CEFR alignment published by IELTS, the ETS score scale tables for TOEFL iBT, and the Cambridge English Scale. Every mapping is an approximation, and each university or employer sets its own threshold. Check the requirement at the source before you book an exam.
This free test is not a certificate. It places you accurately enough to choose a course and a class. If you need proof for a university, a visa or an employer, you need one of the official exams above.
Why your level matters before you book
You land in the right class. Language schools group students by level. Every school tests you again on arrival, but knowing your level in advance means you book the right course length and the right intensity instead of guessing.
You can plan the distance. If a job or a university asks for B2 and you are at B1, that gap has a size. Roughly 200 hours of study, or a few weeks of an intensive course abroad plus the practice you get outside the classroom.
You stop paying for the wrong weeks. A course that is too easy is a pleasant holiday. A course that is too hard is a frustrating one. Ten minutes now is the cheapest insurance against both.
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Frequently asked questions
How can I test my English level?
Take an online CEFR test like this one for a free indication, ask a teacher for an assessment if you want feedback on speaking, or sit an official exam such as IELTS, TOEFL or a Cambridge exam if you need a certificate. This test takes about ten minutes and places you between A1 and C2.
Is the English level test really free?
Yes. There is no payment, no trial and no upsell at the end. We built it because people booking a language course abroad need to know their level first, and we would rather they book the right class.
How long does the test take?
About ten minutes for 48 questions. There is no timer, so you can think. Your answers stay in your browser while you work through it.
Do I get a certificate?
No. You get a written result by email with your CEFR level, what that level means in practice and the course level that fits you. For a recognised certificate you need an official exam such as IELTS, TOEFL or a Cambridge qualification.
What are the CEFR levels for English?
Six levels, from A1 for beginners to C2 for near native command. A1 and A2 are basic users, B1 and B2 independent users, C1 and C2 proficient users. Most language schools abroad teach A1 through C1, and group classes are formed around these levels.
How accurate is an online English test?
Accurate enough to choose a course, not accurate enough to prove anything. This test uses eight questions per CEFR level, so it reads a pattern rather than a single answer, but it only measures grammar, vocabulary and reading. Speaking and writing need a person. Every partner school runs a placement test on your first day.
Which English level do I need to study or work abroad?
Most undergraduate programmes ask for B2, most postgraduate programmes for C1, and many employers set B2 for roles that involve English every day. Requirements differ per institution, so check the exact wording on their website before booking an exam.
Test another language
Same setup, same CEFR scale, same ten minutes.
