Frequently Asked Questions

The ECL language exam is an international, paper-based language exam that measures general communicative language proficiency. It is developed and administered by the Foreign Language Centre of the University of Pécs. The exam focuses on real-life language use and assesses how effectively you can understand and communicate in everyday situations.

The ECL examination system currently offers exams in 15 languages, including Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak and Spanish. The exact availability of languages depends on the local exam site where you register.

The ECL exam is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You can take the exam at A2, B1, B2 or C1 level, depending on your language proficiency.

You can choose between a complex exam and modular exams. A complex exam includes all four modules: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Modular exams allow you to take one or more modules separately, either within the same exam period or across different exam periods.

You are eligible to register if you turn 14 years old during the calendar year of the exam. There is no upper age limit.

You must complete the online registration form on the official ECL website. Your registration becomes valid only if you pay the exam fee and send proof of payment to the selected exam site by the registration deadline.

Registration usually closes approximately four weeks before the exam date. The exact deadlines for each exam period are published on the official ECL website. You should note that registration deadlines are strictly enforced.

You may register for different languages and different levels within the same exam period. However, you cannot register for two different languages at the same level in the same exam period.

Before registering for exams at different levels, always check on the website if those levels are scheduled for the same day in the exam schedule, as in such cases the written exam sessions will overlap. For example, the written parts of the B1 and C1 exams take place at the same time and therefore interfere with each other. However, it is possible to register for the B1 and B2 levels in the same exam period, as their exam times are different.

Exam fees are determined by the local exam sites, so prices may vary. For exact fees, you should always contact your chosen exam site directly.

You may change the language, level or module of your exam only before you have paid the exam fee. After payment, these changes are no longer possible.

If you are unable to take the exam for justified reasons, you may request postponement in writing. A postponed exam can only be transferred to the next exam period and cannot be postponed again. An additional fee may apply. Find further information on the website

Exam fees are generally non-refundable. In exceptional cases, such as illness, you may receive a refund of up to 40% of the exam fee if you submit a written request to the exam site at least one day before the exam.

Approximately 10 days before the exam, you will receive an email containing your candidate number, the exact time and location of each module, and important rules and instructions.

Practise all four language skills regularly and familiarise yourself with the exam format, task types and official time limits. Preparation should focus on effective communication rather than memorisation.

Read the instructions carefully, focus on understanding the main idea of texts, and provide short, precise answers where required. Your answers should contain only relevant information.

Concentrate on understanding the overall meaning of the recordings and answer questions accurately. In multiple-choice tasks, mark your answers only after careful consideration.

Plan your text carefully, follow the required structure and style, respond to all prompts, and stay within the word limit. Before submitting, check grammar, vocabulary and coherence.

Communicate naturally, interact actively with your speaking partner, and focus on fluency rather than perfection. Memorised answers or pre-learned sentences are not recommended.

You must bring a valid photo ID, such as a passport, identity card or driving licence. Without valid identification, you will not be allowed to take the exam.

Yes. You may request special testing accommodations by submitting a written request together with medical documentation by the registration deadline via your local exam site. Only the format of the exam can be adapted; the content of the exam remains unchanged.

The Reading, Writing and Listening modules take place on the officially announced exam day. The Speaking module can be scheduled 1–2 days before and up to 14 days after the written modules.

You are not allowed to bring mobile phones, smart devices, earbuds, notes, books, printed materials or bags into the exam room. Security checks may be carried out before entry.

You may use a printed dictionary only during the Writing module. Thematic dictionaries are not permitted. Dictionaries and any other assistance are not allowed during the Reading, Listening or Speaking modules.

Only answers written on the official answer sheet are evaluated. Ensure that your answers are clear, readable and corrected using the official method explained during the exam.

You may take notes only on the test booklets provided by the exam site. These notes are not evaluated. Your final answers must be written on the official answer sheet, as only answers recorded there will be assessed.

If you arrive while instructions are being given for the Reading or Writing module, you may still enter the exam room, but no extra time will be granted. You will not be allowed to enter once the Listening module has started.

The Speaking exam is conducted by two trained examiners, who are present either on site or online during the exam. You usually take the exam in pairs, although groups of three may be formed if necessary. No preparation time is provided before the tasks begin, and you are not allowed to take any notes during the Speaking exam.

Cheating or misconduct includes: using unauthorised materials, copying from another candidate, communicating with others during the exam, plagiarism, refusing to follow instructions of exam staff, or behaving in an uncooperative or disruptive manner.

If you engage in cheating or misconduct, your exam may be suspended. Depending on the seriousness of the case, you may also be excluded from taking future ECL exams.

Report any disturbing event immediately after the affected module. The complaint must be submitted in writing to the exam site immediately after the exam.

You will be notified about your results by email no later than 30 days after the written modules.

Each module is assessed by two assessors. To pass a module, you must achieve at least 60% of the total score in that module.

A complex exam is considered successful only if you pass all four modules with at least 60% each.

Yes. If you complete all four modules within one year (based on the exam date of the first successful module), you may request a combined certificate.

No. A complex certificate cannot be issued in this case. The Exam Regulations explicitly state that combining modules is not applicable to examinations taken before August 2026. Since your Listening module was passed in June 2026, it cannot be combined with modules passed in a later exam session.

Register for the Writing, Listening and Speaking modules in the next exam period. If you successfully pass all three modules, the certificate issued for these modules together with your written part certificate from June 2026 will together be considered equivalent to a complex exam certificate.

Certificates are sent to the local exam site where you took the exam, and you can collect them there.

Yes. You may request a digital certificate (PDF format) through your local exam site. It has the same official value as the paper certificate when used electronically.

ECL language exam certificates do not have an expiry date and remain valid indefinitely.

However, you should be aware that individual authorities, institutions or employers may apply their own requirements when accepting language certificates. In some cases, they may request that the first successfully completed module is not older than one year.

For this reason, you are advised to check the specific requirements of the authority or institution where the certificate will be submitted.

In practice, some authorities may accept combinations of certificates from different exam providers. For example, in the case of German, the authority may allow the combination of modules from certificates issued by ALTE Q-Mark–accredited exams. However, this acceptance depends entirely on the receiving authority.

For this reason, to be on the safe side, you are strongly advised to check in advance with the authority to which you intend to submit your certificates to confirm whether such combinations are accepted.

You may request a review in cases of legal infringement or score miscalculation, or request a re-evaluation by a third assessor for a fee. Requests must be submitted within 15 days after results are published, and a decision is issued within 30 days.

Yes. Within three years of the exam date, you may request a duplicate certificate from your local exam site for a fee.

A corrected certificate may be issued. The cost of correction is covered by the party responsible for the error. Contact your local exam site as soon as possible.