English Levels Compared – Table

Want to know what is your level of English?

Are you confused by many different names used to describe English levels?



One of the most common questions asked by our students or people enquiring about our English courses is related to English levels. That’s we we prepared a comparison of levels.

There are different terminologies used to describe levels of English language fluency. Very often different language exam centres or language schools use the same names to describe different English levels or the other way round – various names are being used to describe the same level of language skills. So it may be easy to get confused about your actual language skills, to decide what English exam to approach or what English language course to choose to reach the desired English level. Here is a table with English levels compared, we hope you find it helpful!

Please note, our comparison of English levels is approximate. The aim was to simplify different level measurements in a visual form of a table to provide a tool for an easy and quick check. Moreover very often the levels are overlapping or different systems use different level names for the same standard of English. The table includes overall scores used by exam centres, whereas those marks are often based on separate evaluations of English language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. In fact English language skills assessment is a much more complex subject and this information should be used only as a guide.

Link School of English we always check your current English level to make sure you will be learning on the course right for you. If you are planning to join our English classes, please request our level test.

List of Abbreviations of International English Exams:

CEFR: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

ESOL: English for speakers of other languages

Cambridge Exams, ESOL SfL: ESOL Skills for Life

Cambridge Exams, KET: Key English Test

Cambridge Exams, PET: Preliminary English Test

Cambridge Exams, BEC: Cambridge English: Business English Certificate

Cambridge Exams, FCE: First Certificate in English

Cambridge Exams, CAE: Certificate in Advanced English

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Trinity College London, GESE: Graded Examinations in Spoken English

Trinity College London, ISE: Integrated Skills in English

Trinity College London, SEW: Spoken English for Work

PTE: Pearson Test of English

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language

iBT: Internet Based Test

ITP: Institutional Testing Program

BULATS: Business Language Testing Service

Michigan Test, ECCE: Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English

Michigan Test, ECPE: Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

TOLES: Test of Legal English Skills

TOEIC: Test of English for International Communication

NQF: National Qualifications Framework

iTEP: International Test of English Proficiency

UKVI tests: Tests for UK Visas and Immigration

British General Qualifications, GCSE: General Certificate of Secondary Education

British General Qualifications, GCE: General Certificate of Education

How long does it take to learn English?

We are also often asked how long will it take to learn English. According to Cambridge English Language Assessment each level can be reached on average within the following number of learning hours:

A2: 180 – 200

B1: 350 – 400

B2: 500 – 600

C1: 700 – 800

C2: 1.00 – 1.200

Want to improve your English fast?

Check our Intensive and Super Intensive English Courses in London. And remember, at Link School of English we always check your English level before you join to match the best course for you.



Read about English tests and exams at different levels:

– What is the CAE Exam?

– What is the IELTS Exam?

– About Choosing English Language School Abroad

Posts about English learning:

– What Type of Language Learner are You?

– 4 Tips on Improving Your English Grammar