Exam Format
The ECL exam tests how well you can use a language in real situations — not how well you can recite grammar rules. There are no grammar exercises and no translation tasks. Whichever level you take, the structure is the same; only the timing, length, and complexity change.
How the exam works
The ECL exam is offered at four levels in line with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A2 (Waystage), B1 (Threshold), B2 (Vantage), and C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency).
Four skills are tested: Reading comprehension and Written communication make up the written exam; Listening comprehension and Oral communication make up the oral exam.
Each skill is worth a maximum of 25 points (100 points in total) and is tested through two tasks on different topics — so a weaker performance on one task can be offset by a stronger one on the other.
You can choose the complex exam (all four skills) or a partial exam — either the written part only or the oral part only. A separate certificate is issued for a successful partial exam.
To pass
- A minimum of 40% in each individual skill, and
- An overall average of at least 60% across the relevant skills.
Dictionaries
A monolingual or bilingual printed dictionary may be used only during the Written Communication section. Thematic dictionaries are not permitted. No dictionaries are allowed during Reading, Listening, or Speaking.
Not every task type or text type listed below appears in every language. For exact details in your chosen language, please refer to the sample tests.
The Four Skills
Reading Comprehension
Two reading tasks completed without a dictionary. Candidates demonstrate understanding of general texts at the appropriate level.
Written Communication
Two compositions of a given length, each based on four bullet points. A printed dictionary is allowed.
Listening Comprehension
Two tasks based on two different recordings. Each recording is played twice. No dictionary is allowed.
Oral Communication
A paired exam with three parts: warm-up (not assessed), guided conversation, and individual monologue on a four-picture montage.
Choose Your Level
Pick a level to see its specific timing, tasks, and text types.
Level A2. Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions for routine tasks on familiar topics.
Reading Comprehension
35 min · 400–600 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); matching short texts with titles, statements, questions, or pictures; gap-filling; short-answer questions.
Text typesAdvertisement, comment, article, operation manual, description, letter, brochure, short news.
Written Communication
35 min · ~50 + 50 words · 2 compositions
Text typesComment (website or forum), e-mail, or message — each based on four bullet points (which may be pictures).
Listening Comprehension
15–20 min · 400–600 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); matching short texts with titles, statements, questions, or pictures; short-answer questions.
Text typesAnnouncement, conversation, interview, information report on radio, portrait, advertisement, short news.
Oral Communication
~15–18 min (in pairs) · 2 assessed tasks after warm-up
StructureWarm-up (not assessed) → guided conversation between candidates on four bullet points → individual monologue on a four-picture montage.
Level B1. Can deal with most situations while travelling; can produce simple connected text on familiar topics.
Reading Comprehension
35 min · 500–700 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); matching short texts with titles or questions; gap-filling; short-answer questions.
Text typesBlog post, advertisement, personal letter, information brochure, newspaper article.
Written Communication
40 min · ~100 + 100 words · 2 compositions
Text typesComment (website or forum), report, e-mail, or personal message — each based on four bullet points.
Listening Comprehension
20–25 min · 500–700 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); short-answer questions.
Text typesNative-speaker conversation, report, news, interview, information report on radio.
Oral Communication
~18–20 min (in pairs) · 2 assessed tasks after warm-up
StructureWarm-up (not assessed) → guided conversation between candidates on four bullet points → individual monologue on a four-picture montage.
Level B2. Can understand complex texts and interact fluently with native speakers on a wide range of topics.
Reading Comprehension
45 min · 800–1000 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); matching short texts with titles or questions; gap-filling; short-answer questions.
Text typesBlog post, advertisement, comment, personal letter, information brochure, newspaper article.
Written Communication
60 min · ~150 + 150 words · 2 compositions
Text typesComment or post (website or forum), report, e-mail, or essay/composition — each based on four bullet points.
Listening Comprehension
25–30 min · 800–1000 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); short-answer questions.
Text typesNative-speaker conversation, report, news, interview, information report on radio, short lecture.
Oral Communication
~18–20 min (in pairs) · 2 assessed tasks after warm-up
StructureWarm-up (not assessed) → guided conversation between candidates on four bullet points → individual monologue on a four-picture montage.
Level C1. Can understand demanding texts and express ideas fluently in academic and professional contexts.
Reading Comprehension
45 min · 1000–1300 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); matching short texts with titles or questions; gap-filling; short-answer questions.
Text typesReport, blog post, comment, information brochure, newspaper article.
Written Communication
75 min · ~200 + 200 words · 2 compositions
Text typesComment or post (website or forum), report, article, e-mail, or essay/composition — each based on four bullet points.
Listening Comprehension
30–35 min · 1200–1500 words across 2 tasks · 20 items
Task typesMultiple choice (3 options); short-answer questions.
Text typesNative-speaker conversation, report, lecture, news, interview, information report on radio.
Oral Communication
~18–20 min (in pairs) · 2 assessed tasks after warm-up
StructureWarm-up (not assessed) → guided conversation between candidates on four bullet points → individual monologue on a four-picture montage.
Compare All Levels
| A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading — time | 35 min | 35 min | 45 min | 45 min |
| Reading — words | 400–600 | 500–700 | 800–1000 | 1000–1300 |
| Writing — time | 35 min | 40 min | 60 min | 75 min |
| Writing — words (total) | ~100 | ~200 | ~300 | ~400 |
| Listening — time | 15–20 min | 20–25 min | 25–30 min | 30–35 min |
| Listening — words | 400–600 | 500–700 | 800–1000 | 1200–1500 |
| Speaking — time (pairs) | 15–18 min | 18–20 min | 18–20 min | 18–20 min |
| All sections have 2 tasks per skill. Reading and Listening have 20 items each (10 per task). | ||||
Assessment Criteria
Reading and Listening
Reading and Listening tests are objectively scored: each test contains 20 items, each worth 1.25 points (25 points total per skill). Partial credit is not awarded — answers that include extra or incorrect elements are marked wrong, even when part of the answer is correct.
Written Communication
Two assessors independently score each candidate on five criteria, each worth up to 5 points (25 points total).
Criteria for Assessing Writing
| Formal accuracy (morphology and syntax) | 0–5 points |
| Accuracy (text construction and spelling) | 0–5 points |
| Vocabulary (range and activation) | 0–5 points |
| Style (pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects) | 0–5 points |
| Communicative effectiveness (adequate task completion) | 0–5 points |
Oral Communication
Two examiners independently score each candidate on five criteria, each worth up to 5 points (25 points total).
Criteria for Assessing Speaking
| Formal accuracy (morphology, syntax) | 0–5 points |
| Oral accuracy (pronunciation, prosody, fluency) | 0–5 points |
| Vocabulary (range, activation) | 0–5 points |
| Style (pragmatic and sociolinguistic accuracy) | 0–5 points |
| Communicative effectiveness (completing the task according to the selected topic) | 0–5 points |
Technical Details
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Before the first playing | Up to 120 seconds, depending on the difficulty of the task |
| After the first playing | 10–30 seconds or 60–90 seconds (varies by task) |
| After the second playing | Up to 60 seconds or up to 120 seconds (varies by task) |
The standard format is two candidates per session. If the number of candidates is odd, sessions may run with one or three candidates. Approximate durations:
| Candidates | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 candidates | 15–18 min | 18–20 min | 18–20 min | 18–20 min |
| 3 candidates | 22–25 min | 28–30 min | 28–30 min | 28–30 min |
| 1 candidate | 10–12 min | 13–15 min | 13–15 min | 13–15 min |
Try a Sample Test
The best way to understand the exam is to try a real one. Full sample tests — exam sheets, answer sheets, and answer keys — are published for every language and level.