Most Cambridge English exams are now reporting results on the Cambridge English Scale.
For B2 First, B2 First for Schools, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, candidates receive an individual score for each of the four skills – reading, writing, listening, speaking – and Use of English in certain exams. In the live exams, each of the skills and Use of English are equally weighted, and a candidate’s overall score is calculated by adding all of the individual scores together and dividing by five (and then rounding to the nearest whole number).
For B1 Preliminary, B1 Preliminary for Schools, and Business Certificates (B1 Business Preliminary, B2 Business Vantage and C1 Business Higher), candidates receive an individual score for the four skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking. In the live exams, each skill is equally weighted, and a candidate’s overall score is calculated by adding all of the individual scores together and dividing by four (and then rounding to the nearest whole number).
For A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools, candidates receive an individual score for each paper in the exam – Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking. In the live exams, the Reading and Writing paper tests two skills so the score is doubled. A candidate’s overall score is calculated by adding all of the individual scores together and dividing by four (and then rounding to the nearest whole number).
A candidate’s grade and CEFR level are based on their performance across the whole test, and there is no requirement to achieve a minimum score in each paper.
*Linguaskill reports up to a maximum score of 180+ , which equates to C1 (or above) on the CEFR scale. Scoring up to C2 will be introduced in early 2021.
Download a larger version of the Cambridge English Scale
Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores
The following factsheet can be used as guidance to help you convert practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores. Please note that these only apply when using official Cambridge English practice tests.
Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores