Cambridge English exams by CEFR level
Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, each Cambridge English qualification is designed for a specific CEFR level — so the mapping is exact, not approximate:
| CEFR level | Cambridge exam |
|---|---|
| A2 | A2 Key (KET) |
| B1 | B1 Preliminary (PET) |
| B2 | B2 First (FCE) |
| C1 | C1 Advanced (CAE) |
| C2 | C2 Proficiency (CPE) |
How Cambridge scores work: the Cambridge English Scale
Every Cambridge English qualification reports a score on one shared scale, the Cambridge English Scale, which runs from 80 to 230. Each exam covers its own stretch of that scale, and the stretches overlap by design: a candidate who scores above their exam's top band is reported at the level above, and one who scores just below the pass mark is reported at the level below, with a certificate for that lower level.
That is the detail behind "a high B2 First can certify C1": score 180 or more on B2 First and your certificate says C1, although it is not a C1 Advanced certificate and some institutions will still want the C1 exam itself. Likewise, a C1 Advanced score of 160–179 earns a B2 certificate rather than a fail.
The scale is also what lets you compare with other exams. Cambridge publishes its own alignment of the scale to IELTS bands (for example, a 176 on the scale corresponds roughly to IELTS 6.5), which is the basis for most of the equivalence tables you will find, including the one on our IELTS page.
| Exam | Level below reported | Pass band (target level) | Level above reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key (KET) | 100–119 (A1) | 120–139 (A2) | 140–150 (B1) |
| B1 Preliminary (PET) | 120–139 (A2) | 140–159 (B1) | 160–170 (B2) |
| B2 First (FCE) | 140–159 (B1) | 160–179 (B2) | 180–190 (C1) |
| C1 Advanced (CAE) | 160–179 (B2) | 180–199 (C1) | 200–210 (C2) |
| C2 Proficiency (CPE) | 180–199 (C1) | 200–230 (C2) | — |
Which Cambridge exam should I take?
Take the exam that matches your current level, not one above it — each is CEFR-aligned to certify a specific band. B2 First is by far the most-taken, because B2 is the standard bar for university admission and many jobs. C1 Advanced is the choice for competitive universities in the UK and beyond.
Two practical facts help the decision. Cambridge certificates never expire, unlike IELTS and TOEFL scores, which are valid for two years; and exam fees are similar for every level (in the UK roughly £150–£200), so sitting the exam one level too high is a full fee lost rather than a cheap gamble. Cambridge's own guidance puts a full CEFR level at around 200 guided learning hours, which is the honest cost of "I'll just aim for the one above".
Cambridge results also report a score on the Cambridge English Scale, and a strong pass at one level can certify the level above (for example, a high B2 First result can certify C1). Check what your target institution accepts.
Not sure of your level yet? A free CEFR test places you on the A1–C2 scale in 5 minutes, so you can pick the matching exam before paying the fee.
Compare with IELTS and TOEFL, or take the free English level test to see which Cambridge exam fits you. If you just want to know which course level you would be placed in, the free English placement test maps every level to its Cambridge exam.