Cambridge Exams: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Navigating the Assessments

The Cambridge Assessment English suite of exams has a wide range of certificates that reflect the different needs and abilities of individuals. Certificates range from basic exams for beginners to advanced certificates for those who have reached a high level of fluency.

The exams are recognized worldwide by thousands of companies, universities and ministries as proof of English proficiency. These certificates never expire and do not need to be renewed: they are a lifetime achievement. Please note that the price of a Cambridge B1 exam will not be the same as a C1 exam. Read our guide to the Cambridge exams and prepare for the exam with our Cambridge Exam Preparation courses in London.

What types of tests are there?

Before we start talking about how much the Cambridge exam costs, it is necessary to know that there are different exams, depending on your intentions and level. This will be the exam you will have to take.

• IELTS – International English Language Testing System

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work in places where English is used as a language of communication. IELTS is required for university entrance in the UK and other countries.

• BEC – Business English Certificates

The BEC exams are produced by Cambridge English. They assess English in a business context.

Business English tests are designed for individuals. They are designed to help professionals develop the English language skills to communicate with confidence in an international workplace.

• A2 Key (KET) – Key English Test (A2)

Take this test if you want to know that your studies are off to a good start and that you have basic reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The Key English Test is the easiest of the Cambridge exams.

• B1 Preliminary (PET), Preliminary for Schools – Preliminary English Test (B1)

If you want to know if your English is average, take this test. With this level of English you will be able to enjoy vacations in English-speaking countries. You will probably need to continue studying once you have passed the B1 Preliminary exam.

• First Certificate in English (B2)

The First Certificate in English is the most important examination certificate. The B2 First (FCE) exam can be taken most months in paper or computer format. The paper exam can be taken in March, May, June, August and December. The computer-based exam can be taken in February, April, July, August and November. Not all test centers administer both types of tests.

• C1 (CAE) – Certificate of Advanced English

If you can communicate confidently in English for work or study purposes, this is the exam for you. More than 60,000 people take the C1 Advanced each year in more than 60 countries. More than 9,000 educational institutions, companies and government departments around the world accept C1 Advanced as proof of a high level of English language proficiency.

• C2 (CPE) – Certificate of Proficiency in English

Take this test if you really like English. If you pass this test your English is good enough for you to teach English to others. Your English will be good enough to study at any British university at undergraduate, graduate or doctoral level.

Cambridge exam price

Cambridge English (formed by Cambridge Assessment) is part of the Department of the University of Cambridge. Thousands of employers, universities and governments around the world recognize the English Proficiency (CPE), Advanced (CAE), First (FCE), Preliminary (PET) and Key (KET) exams as proof of English language proficiency. As we have seen, each exam corresponds to a level and the prices vary according to the institution where they are taken (since the fees are established by each center) and according to the exam to be taken. We will see an estimated price of how much each one is worth:

Fees are set by the examination centers and vary from country to country.

• For the IELTS Academic and General Training: you will have to pay between 170 and 195 pounds sterling, 225 euros or 245 dollars.
• For the A2 KET: you are expected to pay around 120 euros.
• For the B1 PET: you will have to pay around 130 euros.
• For B2 First: about 160 euros must be paid.
• C1 Advanced: you have to pay about 225 euros.
• C2 Proficiency: this is the most expensive exam and costs around 240 euros.

Advantages of taking a Cambridge exam

• While TOEFL and IELTS results are valid for a period of two years, Cambridge English certificates have no validity period. They are convenient for test takers because they can choose the appropriate test based on their objectives, and the tests also allow educational institutions and employers to easily define their requirements for English proficiency levels. The CPE certificate, for example, is highly regarded by reputable British companies.
• Cambridge exams can be taken at
  2,800 authorized examination centers
  in 130 countries and there are more than 52,000 registered preparation centers.
• When you reach a higher level of English – at least a good upper-intermediate level (B2) – you have the skills you need to communicate with most people, deal with most situations and do most of the things you need to do on a day-to-day basis. The challenge you have is to go further.
• The current labor market has very international characteristics and is therefore very competitive. Many other international candidates have great English… but how many can prove it? A Cambridge exam allows you to gain that advantage.
• IELTS is the most popular test among students who want to enter university. But did you know that Cambridge CAE and CPE are also recognized by universities? In fact, 99% of the world’s top 100 universities recognize the Cambridge CAE and CPE for university studies.