Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a fluent speaker wanting to perfect your language skills, whether you’re a student or a professional, we have the exam for you. Find which General English qualification suits you best.
General English
Cambridge English: Key (KET) and Key for Schools (KETfS)
Cambridge English: Key is also known as the Key English Test (KET) and Key English Test for Schools (KETfS). This qualification shows that you can communicate in basic English in everyday situations. It is the first exam in the series of Cambridge English exams for adults.
Level of qualification: Elementary = A2 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
You should take the KET if you have done about 250 hours of study or practice and can speak, write and understand basic English. This exam is the first step in building your English language skills for work or study in the future. To take the exam you should be able to:
- ask and answer questions about yourself and others
- understand announcements and instructions when people speak slowly and clearly
- tell people what you think about something you read or hear.
What is the exam format?
There are three parts to the exam. You do the reading and writing and the listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the speaking on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other exam candidate.
| KET | Reading and Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 1 hour 10 minutes | 30 minutes | 12 minutes per pair of candidates |
| Marks (% of total) | 50% | 25% | 25% |
Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET) and Preliminary for Schools (PETfS)
Cambridge English: Preliminary is also known as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and Preliminary English Test for Schools (PETfS). This exam shows that you can communicate in English in practical, everyday situations. It will give you a good foundation if you want to study for a professional English qualification.
Level of qualification: Intermediate = B1 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
Studying for the PET exam will improve your English so that you can communicate when travelling or dealing with English speakers for work.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- express your likes and dislikes, and discuss them with others
- understand spoken and written announcements and instructions
- write a personal letter or take notes from a meeting or discussion.
How does the exam process work?
There are three parts to the exam. You do the reading and writing and the listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the speaking on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other exam candidate.
| PET | Reading and Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time allowed | 1 hour 30 minutes | 35 minutes | 10-12 minutes per pair of candidates |
| Marks (% of total) | 50% | 25% | 25% |
Cambridge English First (FCE) and First for Schools (FCEfS)
Cambridge English: First is also called the First Certificate in English (FCE) and First Certificate in English for Schools (FCEfS). This general English qualification proves that you can speak and write English well enough to work or study in an English-speaking environment.
Level of qualification: Upper intermediate = B2 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take this exam?
You should study for the FCE if you want to work in an English-speaking business, live in an English-speaking country or study a foundation-level or pre-university course taught in English.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- write short reports and emails
- explain an idea or have a detailed discussion in English
- understand general English on TV and in newspapers.
How does the exam process work?
There are four parts to the FCE exam. You will complete papers Reading, Writing and Listening on the same day. The Speaking may be on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other candidate.
| FCE |
Reading and use of English |
Writing | Listening | Speaking |
| Time allowed | 1 hour 15 minutes | 1 hour 20 minutes | 40 minutes | 14 minutes |
| Marks (% of total) | 40% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Sitting a Cambridge English Language Assessment examination in Qatar
Register for Cambridge English Language Assessment exams in Qatar.
Results for paper based exams are available between four and six weeks after you take the exam and computer based two weeks after you take the exam.
UK Visas and Immigration - new English language requirements for partners and spouses
The British Council administers many exams which meet the UK Visas and Immigration requirements and can support your visa application. According to the UK Visas and Immigration announcement of 29 November 2012, any migrant applying to enter or remain in the UK as the husband, wife, civil partner or fiancé(e) of a British citizen or a person settled there will need to show that they can speak and understand English.
Most applicants will meet the requirement by passing an English language test and supplying a test certificate with their visa application.
See the full table of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels to have a better idea of various exams.