The Cambridge English Scale explained
A guide to converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores
Common European
Framework ofReference (CEFR)

Cambridge
EnglishScale

A2 KeyB1 Preliminary

B2 First

C1 Advanced

C2 Proficiency

B1 Business
Preliminary

B2 Business
Vantage

C1 Business
Higher230

Grade A

Proficient user

220

C2

Grade B

210

Grade A
200

C1

Grade C

Grade A

Grade B

190

Grade A

Grade C

Grade B
Level C1
Grade A

Grade C180

Independent user

Grade B

B2

170

Grade A160

B1

Basic user

Grade B

150

Grade A
140

A2

130

Grade C

Grade C

Grade B
Level B2
Distinction

Grade C

Level B2

Merit
Level B1

Level B1

Pass

Grade B
Grade C

Level A2

Level A2

120

A1

110

Level A1

100

Below

A1

90
80

IELTS is mapped to, but will not be reported on the Cambridge English Scale
Most Cambridge
English Qualifications 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 the live
exams, each of the skills and Use of English are equally weighted, anda 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 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 acandidate’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, andSpeaking. 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 (andthen rounding to the nearest whole number).

A candidate’s grade and Common European Framework of Reference(CEFR) level are based on their performance across the whole
qualification, and there is no requirement to achieve a minimum scorein each paper.
The following tables 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.
The conversion tables are intended to help you provide anindication of your students’ readiness to take the relevant
qualification. The scores you provide may not always reflect theresults the students may achieve in a Cambridge English live exam.
They should not be used to try to predict precise scores in thelive exam, but can be a useful diagnostic tool, indicating areas ofrelative strength and weakness.
The scores needed on any given exam to achieve the scores on the
Cambridge English Scale shown in the tables below will vary due toa number of factors, so scores close to CEFR boundaries need to bereviewed carefully. We recommend that this is approximately three
Cambridge English Scale score points above and below the scoreneeded to achieve the level, e.g. 157–163 for Level B2. Students whoachieve only slightly higher than the Cambridge English Scale score fora given level on a practice test may not achieve that level in the live
exam, and we recommend that they continue working to improve sothat they reach the desired level.
Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

A2 Key and A2 Key for Schoolsfor exams from 2020
Reading
The Reading section consists of Parts 1–5 of the Reading and Writing paper. Correct
answers in Parts 1–5 are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible marks in theReading section.

Practice
test score

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level

28

140

Level B1

20120

Level A2

13

100

Level A1

7

82*

–

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level*minimum score reported for A2 Key

Writing
The Writing section consists of Parts 6 and 7 of the Reading and Writing paper.
Candidates' answers in the Writing paper are marked by trained examiners who are
certificated to mark at the level. Parts 6 and 7 are marked using assessment scales
which are linked to the CEFR. 0–5 marks are given for each of the following criteria:Content; Organisation; and Language. There are a possible 15 marks for Part 6 and
15 possible marks for Part 7. Whole marks only are awarded; there are no half marks
given. Marks for each of the criteria are combined to give 15 possible marks for eachpart. In total, there are 30 possible marks in the Writing paper.

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 25 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
test score
26

140

Level B1

18120

Level A2

12100

Level A1

8

82*

–

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level*minimum score reported for A2 Key

Practice
test score
23

140

Level B1

17120

Level A2

11

100

Level A1

6

82*

–

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level*minimum score reported for A2 Key

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners certificated to examine at the level. Candidate speaking
performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR. The assessor
gives 0–5 marks for each of the following criteria: Grammar and Vocabulary;
Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication. Marks for each of these criteria are
doubled. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0–5 for Global Achievement. This mark isthen multiplied by three. Examiners may award half marks. Marks for all criteria arethen combined, meaning there are 45 marks available in the Speaking test.

Practice
test score
41

140

Level B127

120

Level A2

18

100

Level A1

10

82*

–

*minimum score reported for A2 Key

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schoolsfor exams from 2020
Reading
The Reading paper consists of six parts. Correct answers in Parts 1–6 are worth
1 mark each. There are 32 possible marks in the Reading paper.

Practice
test score

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level

29
23
13
5

160
140
120
102*

Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Preliminary

Writing
The Writing paper consists of two parts. Candidates' answers in the Writing paper
are marked by trained examiners who are certificated to mark at the level using
assessment scales which are linked to the CEFR. 0–5 marks are given for each of
the following criteria: Content; Communicative Achievement; Organisation; andLanguage. Whole marks only are awarded; there are no half marks given. Part 1 isworth 20 marks and Part 2 is worth 20 marks. There are 40 possible marks in the
Writing paper.

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 25 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
test score

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level

34
24
16
10

160
140
120
102*

Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Preliminary

Practice
test score

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level

23
18
11
5

160
140
120
102*

Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Preliminary

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners certificated to examine at the level. Candidate speaking
performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR. The assessor
gives 0–5 marks for each of the following criteria: Grammar and Vocabulary;
Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication. Theinterlocutor gives a mark of 0–5 for Global Achievement and this mark is doubled.
Examiners may award half marks. Marks for all criteria are then combined, meaning
there are 30 marks available in the Speaking test.

Practice
test score

Cambridge English
Scale score

CEFR level

27
18
12
7

160
140
120
102*

Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Preliminary

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

B2 First and B2 First for Schools
Reading
The Reading section consists of Parts 1, 5, 6 and 7 of the Reading and Use ofEnglish paper. Correct answers in Parts 1 and 7 are worth 1 mark each. Correct
answers in Parts 5 and 6 are worth 2 marks each. There are 42 possible marks in
the Reading section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
37
24
16
10

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 FirstUse of English
The Use of English section consists of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the Reading and Use ofEnglish paper. Correct answers in Parts 2 and 3 are worth 1 mark each. In Part 4,
answers which are partly correct receive 1 mark and answers which are completely
correct receive 2 marks. There are 28 possible marks in the Use of English section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
24
18
11
7

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 First

Writing
Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper are marked by trained examiners whoare certificated to mark at the level. Answers are marked using assessment scales
which are linked to the CEFR. 0–5 marks are given for each of the following criteria:Content; Communicative Achievement; Organisation; and Language. Whole marks
only are awarded; there are no half marks given. Marks for each of the criteria are
combined to give 20 possible marks for each question. There are 40 possible marks
for the whole paper.

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
34
24
16
10

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 First

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
27
180
18
160
12
140
8
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 First

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners certificated to examine at the level. Candidate speaking
performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR. The assessor
gives 0–5 marks for each of the following criteria: Grammar and Vocabulary;
Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication. Marksfor each of these criteria are doubled. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0–5 for
Global Achievement. This mark is then multiplied by four. Examiners may award
half marks. Marks for all criteria are then combined, meaning there are 60 marks
available in the Speaking test.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
54
36
24
14

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 First

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

C1 Advanced
Reading
The Reading section consists of Parts 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Reading and Use ofEnglish paper. Correct answers in Parts 1 and 8 are worth 1 mark each. Correct
answers in Parts 5, 6 and 7 are worth 2 marks each. There are 50 possible marks in
the Reading section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
43
32
23
17

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
C2
C1
B2
–

*minimum score reported for C1 Advanced

Use of English
The Use of English section consists of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the Reading and Use ofEnglish paper. Correct answers in Parts 2 and 3 are worth 1 mark each. In Part 4,
answers which are partly correct receive 1 mark and answers which are completely
correct receive 2 marks. There are 28 possible marks in the Use of English section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
23
16
11
8

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
C2
C1
B2
–

*minimum score reported for C1 Advanced

Writing
Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper are marked by trained examiners whoare certificated to mark at the level. Answers are marked using assessment scales
which are linked to the CEFR. 0–5 marks are given for each of the following criteria:Content; Communicative Achievement; Organisation; and Language. Whole marks
only are awarded; there are no half marks given. Marks for each of the criteria are
combined to give 20 possible marks for each question. There are 40 possible marks
for the whole paper.

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
34
24
16
10

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
C2
C1
B2
–

*minimum score reported for C1 Advanced

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
26
18
13
11

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
C2
C1
B2
–

*minimum score reported for C1 Advanced

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners certificated to examine at the level. Candidate speaking
performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR. The assessor
gives 0–5 marks for each of the following criteria: Grammatical Resource; Lexical
Resource; Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication.
Marks for each of these criteria are doubled. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0–5 for
Global Achievement. This mark is then multiplied by five. Examiners may award halfmarks. Marks for all criteria are then combined, meaning there are 75 marks available
in the Speaking test.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
66
45
30
17

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
C2
C1
B2
–

*minimum score reported for C1 Advanced

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

C2 Proficiency
Reading
The Reading section consists of Parts 1, 5, 6 and 7 of the Reading and Use of English
paper. Correct answers in Parts 1 and 7 are worth 1 mark each. Correct answers in Parts
5 and 6 are worth 2 marks each. There are 44 possible marks in the Reading section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
36
28
22
14

220
200
180
162*

CEFR level
C2
C2
C1
–

*minimum score reported for C2 Proficiency

Use of English
The Use of English section consists of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the Reading and Use ofEnglish paper. Correct answers in Parts 2 and 3 are worth 1 mark each. In Part 4,
answers which are partly correct receive 1 mark and answers which are completely
correct receive 2 marks. There are 28 possible marks in the Use of English section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
22
17
13
9

220
200
180
162*

CEFR level
C2
C2
C1
–

*minimum score reported for C2 Proficiency

Writing
Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper are marked by trained examiners whoare certificated to mark at the level. Answers are marked using assessment scales
which are linked to the CEFR. 0–5 marks are given for each of the following criteria:Content; Communicative Achievement; Organisation; and Language. Whole marks
only are awarded; there are no half marks given. Marks for each of the criteria are
combined to give 20 possible marks for each question. There are 40 possible marks
for the whole paper.

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
34
24
16
10

220
200
180
162*

CEFR level
C2
C2
C1
–

*minimum score reported for C2 Proficiency

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
24
18
14
10

220
200
180
162*

CEFR level
C2
C2
C1
–

*minimum score reported for C2 Proficiency

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners certificated to examine at the level. Candidate speaking
performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR. The assessor
gives 0–5 marks for each of the following criteria: Grammatical Resource; Lexical
Resource; Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication.
Marks for each of these criteria are doubled. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0–5
for Global Achievement. This mark is then multiplied by five. Examiners may award
half marks. Marks for all criteria are then combined, meaning there are 75 marks
available in the Speaking test.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
66
45
30
17

220
200
180
162*

CEFR level
C2
C2
C1
–

*minimum score reported for C2 Proficiency

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

B1 Business Preliminary
Reading
The Reading section consists of Parts 1–7 of the Reading and Writing paper. Correct
answers in Parts 1–7 are worth 1 mark each. There are 45 possible marks in theReading section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
39
30
18
9

160
140
120
102*

CEFR level
Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Business Preliminary

Writing
The Writing section consists of Parts 8–9 of the Reading and Writing paper.
Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper are marked by trained examiners who are
certificated to mark at the level using assessment scales which are linked to the
CEFR. Part 1 is worth 10 marks and Part 2 is worth 20 marks. There are 30 possible
marks in the Writing section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
27
20
13
8

160
140
120
102*

CEFR level
Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Business Preliminary

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
26
20
12
6

160
140
120
102*

CEFR level
Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Business Preliminary

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners who are certificated to examine at the level. Candidate
speaking performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR.
The assessor gives a mark of 0−5 for each of the following criteria: Grammar
and Vocabulary; Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive
Communication. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0−5 for Global Achievement. This
mark is then doubled. Examiners may award half marks. Marks for all criteria arethen combined, meaning there are 30 marks available in the Speaking test.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
27
18
12
7

160
140
120
102*

CEFR level
Level B2
Level B1
Level A2–

*minimum score reported for B1 Business Preliminary

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

B2 Business Vantage
Reading
The Reading paper consists of five parts. Correct answers in Parts 1−5 are worth
1 mark each. There are 45 possible marks in the Reading paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
38
27
19
10

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 Business Vantage

Writing
The Writing paper consists of two parts. Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper
are marked by trained examiners who are certificated to mark at the level using
assessment scales which are linked to the CEFR. Part 1 is worth 10 marks and Part 2
is worth 20 marks. There are 30 possible marks in the Writing section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
26
18
12
7

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 Business Vantage

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
25
19
13
8

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 Business Vantage

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners who are certificated to examine at the level. Candidate
speaking performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR.
The assessor gives a mark of 0−5 for each of the following criteria: Grammar
and Vocabulary; Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive
Communication. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0−5 for Global Achievement andthis mark is doubled. Examiners may award half marks. Marks for all criteria arethen combined, meaning there are 30 marks available in the Speaking test.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
27
18
12
7

180
160
140
122*

CEFR level
Level C1
Level B2
Level B1–*minimum score reported for B2 Business Vantage

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19

C1 Business Higher
Reading
The Reading paper consists of six parts. Correct answers in Parts 1−6 are worth
1 mark each. There are 52 possible marks in the Reading paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
42
32
23
14

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
Level C2
Level C1
Level B2–

*minimum score reported for C1 Business Higher

Writing
The Writing paper consists of two parts. Candidates’ answers in the Writing paper
are marked by trained examiners who are certificated to mark at the level using
assessment scales which are linked to the CEFR. Part 1 is worth 10 marks and Part 2
is worth 20 marks. There are 30 possible marks in the Writing section.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
26
18
12
7

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
Level C2
Level C1
Level B2–

*minimum score reported for C1 Business Higher

Listening
Correct answers in the Listening paper are worth 1 mark each. There are 30 possible
marks in the Listening paper.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
24
18
13
8

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
Level C2
Level C1
Level B2–

*minimum score reported for C1 Business Higher

Speaking
Candidates take the test in pairs, but are assessed on their individual performanceby trained examiners who are certificated to examine at the level. Candidate
speaking performances are assessed using scales which are linked to the CEFR.
The assessor gives a mark of 0−5 for each of the following criteria: Grammatical
Resource; Lexical Resource; Discourse Management; Pronunciation; and Interactive
Communication, and these marks are doubled. The interlocutor gives a mark of 0−5
for Global Achievement and this mark is multiplied by five. Examiners may award
half marks. Marks for all criteria are then combined, meaning there are 75 marks
available in the Speaking test.

Practice
Cambridge English
test score Scale score
68
45
30
17

200
180
160
142*

CEFR level
Level C2
Level C1
Level B2–

*minimum score reported for C1 Business Higher

Copyright ©UCLES 2019 | CER/4240/V2/AUG19