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About our security processes
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About our qualifications
C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency and B2 First are trusted by thousands of institutions worldwide and are a mark of excellence in the assessment of language proficiency. They are in-depth exams and preparing for them helps students to improve their English. They provide a reliable indicator of language ability, matching students' ability to expectations. Cambridge English Qualifications test all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – as well as covering use of grammar and vocabulary.
Exam format
We offer both digital and paper-based exams enabling wider accessibility and greater choice for test takers. Both test types are taken at authorised exam centres, in schools or at external venues, all under strict exam conditions. The qualification that candidates receive is the same, but there are differences in the exam delivery, experience and timing. Find out more about the differences between our paper-based and digital exams.
Test specifications, mark schemes, sample tests and preparation
Cambridge C1 Advanced
C1 Advanced is a focused academic English exam which gives students the English skills they need to succeed at college or university on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It offers a rigorous assessment of a student’s ability to communicate at an advanced level in English for academic and professional purposes. More than 11,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments around the world accept C1 Advanced as proof of high-level achievement in learning English.
Cambridge C2 Proficiency
C2 Proficiency is our most advanced qualification. It proves that students have the English skills to study demanding subjects at the highest level, including postgraduate and PhD programmes. It shows that students have mastered English to an exceptional level and can communicate with fluency and sophistication similar to the level of a first language English speaker.
Cambridge B2 First
B2 First is an upper-intermediate level qualification. It proves that candidates can use everyday written and spoken English for work or study purposes. The exam gives students the practical language skills they need to study on technical and vocational courses. B2 First results are accepted by thousands of businesses and educational institutions worldwide.
Exam security and results verification
We place exam quality, fairness and security at the centre of everything we do. Our approach combines multiple layers of security measures across the assessment lifecycle, designed and supported by an expert team of security specialists who work to prevent, detect, and respond to malpractice. This means that every candidate gets a fair opportunity to prove their skills and you get reliable scores you can trust.
Results verification
Our Results Verification Service (RVS) is a free, fast and secure online service for administration professionals working in higher education, businesses or governments. It allows users to verify the authenticity of Cambridge English Qualifications confirming that a candidate's score is valid.
Security and integrity
At Cambridge English, our security systems and processes are built around a depth of experience and monitored by external sector bodies for quality assurance.
Our comprehensive approach includes layered security measures across the assessment lifecycle all managed by our expert team of security professionals. Our customer support includes secure results verification services as well as advice on protecting yourself and your institution from the risk of fraud.
Cambridge English test centre regulations
These regulations cover all Cambridge English Qualifications, including tests for teaching qualifications, and were updated in April 2026.
Malpractice procedure
Cambridge has a responsibility to candidates, test centres and other stakeholders to ensure the integrity of our examinations. This is done by putting in place robust measures to identify and deal with instances of candidate or test centre malpractice, including the use of statistical checks based on sound research and cases of suspected irregular conduct.
How C1 Advanced assesses language skills for higher education
Our new paper examines the extent to which Cambridge C1 Advanced assesses the language skills, discourse competencies and cognitive processes required for successful participation in higher education. The study is guided by questions posed in the English Language Good Practice Guide: Testing, Qualifications and English for Academic Purposes in Higher Education (BALEAP & BUILA, 2026) concerning the relevance of admissions tests to the linguistic, communicative and cognitive demands of university study. It is further informed by the academic discourse competencies described in the BALEAP Can Do Framework (Brewer et al., 2013).
How C1 Advanced assesses language skills for higher education
New! Our Principles of Good Practice
The Cambridge English Principles of Good Practice explain how we design, deliver and continually improve our learning and assessment. They set out not only what we do, but why we do it, and how we make sure our work remains fair, meaningful and trusted.
Studies in English Language Testing
Studies in Language Testing (SiLT) is a series of academic volumes published jointly by Cambridge English and Cambridge University Press (CUP).
The series addresses a wide range of important issues and new developments in language testing and assessment, and is an indispensable resource for test users, developers and researchers.
For more on Studies in English Language Testing (SiLT) from Cambridge English visit Studies in Language Testing (SiLT) | Cambridge English
The ALTE Q-Mark
ALTE is the Association of Language Testers in Europe. The ALTE Q-mark is a quality indicator which member organisation can use to show that their exams have passed a rigorous ALTE audit and meet all the core requirements of ALTE's 18 quality standards. The Q-mark demonstrates that ALTE member organisations aspire to consistent standards of quality and excellence in their exams.
Ofqual regulated
B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are Ofqual-regulated English language qualifications awarded by Cambridge English.
BSI ISO 9001 accredited
We are certified by BSI to ISO 9001 Quality Management.
Our ISO 9001 certification reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality services, continuously improving our processes and meeting the needs of our customers and stakeholders.
The Cambridge English Scale
The Cambridge English Scale is used to report results for our qualifications and tests. The scores provide a detailed understanding of the candidate's level. They are also consistent across the different exams, making it easy to compare results and understand progress from one level to the next.
Automarking in language assessment
Automarking is the use of technology to assess certain aspects of language performance and is increasingly used in the assessment of speaking and writing tasks.
At Cambridge English we use a hybrid approach that combines the efficiency and consistency of automarking with the expertise and professional judgement of human markers. We believe that this approach is central to maintaining the validity and fairness of our exams.
The following two papers set out our approach to automarking in more detail:
Automarking in language assessment: key considerations for best practice
Automarked samples - coming soon
Examiner requirements
Our international reputation for excellence, reliability and fairness in language assessment is built on the expertise and professionalism of our assessment specialists. Thousands of specialists work with us across the UK and around the world, contributing to a wide range of assessment activities.
The term assessment specialist encompasses many roles, including writing and speaking examiners, item writers, proofreaders, content vetters, assessors and moderators. Crucially, our assessment specialists are qualified English for Academic Purposes (EAP) professionals, bringing specialist knowledge and experience to every stage of the assessment process.
Exam reliability
We are committed to continually demonstrating the reliability of our exams and share exam reliability data on our website.
Understanding our results
Exam monitoring
In the Principles of Good Practice we state our commitment to continually demonstrating the reliability of our exams (Section 1, Fitness for purpose).
Examples of this type of data can be found in the below in the Reporting Reliability section. The tools and analysis used to develop these figures are also listed on the webpage for those unfamiliar with analysing and reporting test reliability.
Accessibility, equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging
We are a globally inclusive organisation and our diversity increases our impact in education and research. We create accessible products and services and pay close attention to cultural appropriacy in test design and construct in support of the many communities we serve. For us, accessibility means:
Choice
Offering flexible pathways to assessment that meet the needs of different learners, including both paper-based and digital test formats.
Reach
Removing barriers so that educational opportunities are available to people wherever they are - our exams are available in 2,800 exam centres in 130 countries.
Fairness
Creating equitable assessment experiences that enable individuals to demonstrate their true ability without disadvantage, including respect for diversity and cultural approrpriacy.
Support
Providing appropriate accommodations that help learners with diverse needs take our exams with confidence and success.
Access arrangements
We have several ways in which we support people who are disabled (temporarily or long-term) or need specific arrangements to take our exams.
Special considerations
When a candidate has taken one of our exams under adverse circumstances through no fault of their own or has been absent from an assessment for acceptable reasons, a centre may ask for special consideration to be applied for the affected component.
Cambridge English will consider the circumstances and may, at our discretion, adjust the marks appropriately in accordance with guidelines provided for awarding bodies or offer the candidate a free resit.
Exam centres and exam dates
Our exams are available in 2,800 exam centres in 130 countries around the world in both paper-based and digital formats.
Research and impact
Cambridge English has one of the largest dedicated research teams of any UK-based language assessment organisation – our staff are our greatest asset in delivering our commitment to excellence. Our rigorous systems of quality are subject to independent checks and meet international standards, providing accountability and giving confidence to those who rely on our exams.
Cambridge English and the CEFR
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language. This makes it easy for anyone involved in language testing to see the level of different qualifications. It also means that employers and educational institutions can easily compare our qualifications to other exams in their country.
Cambridge English has played a significant role in the development of the CEFR, contributing linguistic and assessment expertise. Cambridge has also led the development of English Profile, a research project which adopts an evidence-based approach to identifying which specific vocabulary and grammatical structures are typically learned at each CEFR level. The English Vocabulary Profile (EVP) and the English Grammar Profile (EGP) are publicly accessible databases which provide free access to the outputs of this research.
Useful links
International language standards
Setting your admissions requirements
English Vocabulary Profile (EVP)
English Grammar Profile (EGP)
About Cambridge English
Part of the University of Cambridge, we provide schools, universities, educational institutions and companies around the world with expertly created integrated English learning and assessment solutions. We are the makers of IELTS and our exams and tests are accepted and used by over 25,000 universities, employers and governments around the world. They open doors to higher education, improve employment opportunities, and because they are globally recognised, can increase choices for study or work. By accepting our exams and tests, you gain access to millions of applicants worldwide with the English language skills to succeed in demanding academic and professional environments.
Useful links
Where can Cambridge English exams take you?
About IELTS and Cambridge International Education
To conduct an evaluation of IELTS and Cambridge International Education qualifications for the purposes of international admissions please check the links below.
IELTS for academic institutions
Cambridge International Education
Other Cambridge-backed English tests
OET - the English language test for healthcare professionals
Need support?
Useful tools
Download our English Test Acceptance Tool which helps you capture and document key information when evaluating tests and exams in line the BUILA-BALEAP recommendations.
In-person support
Your local recognition manager is here to support you with any questions you have related to Cambridge English Qualifications from an admissions, compliance and recruitment perspective. Justin can support you with setting entry requirements, exam names and listings, Cambridge English scale scores, verifying results and much more.
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