A free English level test from A1 to C2
This English level test gives you an estimate of where you stand on the CEFR scale, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient). You answer grammar, vocabulary and short reading questions that get harder level by level, and the result shows your estimated level, how you did at each level and the questions you missed, with the reason for each answer.
It is useful if you are choosing a course, preparing for an exam such as IELTS, or just curious about your English. The result is an informal estimate, not a certificate: no speaking, listening or writing is tested, and a short quiz cannot replace a teacher or an official exam.
How to use the English Level Test (CEFR A1 to C2)
- Pick Quick (18 questions) or Full (36 questions) and press Start the test.
- Read each question and choose one answer, by clicking it or pressing 1 to 4. For reading questions, read the short text first.
- If you really do not know, press I don't know instead of guessing, so the result is more honest.
- At the end, read your estimated level, the table of results per level and the review of questions you missed.
- Press Copy result to keep a note, or Take the test again for a fresh shuffle of the answers.
English Level Test (CEFR A1 to C2) features
Six CEFR levels
Quick mode asks three questions per level (grammar, vocabulary and reading); Full mode asks six, so a single lucky guess matters less.
Questions written for this tool
No test items are copied from an exam or a coursebook. Answers are shuffled each time.
Explained answers
Every question you miss is listed with the right answer and a one-line reason, so the test also works as a lesson.
Private
Nothing is uploaded or stored. Closing the page ends the test.
What the levels mean
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), published by the Council of Europe, describes language ability in six levels. The short descriptions below are paraphrased from its global scale (Council of Europe, Table 1: common reference levels, global scale, checked 24 October 2026).
| Level | Name | In short |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | You can understand and use very familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases about yourself and concrete needs. |
| A2 | Elementary | You can handle simple, routine exchanges and describe your background, surroundings and immediate needs in simple terms. |
| B1 | Intermediate | You can deal with most situations while travelling, write simple connected text on familiar topics and describe experiences and plans with brief reasons. |
| B2 | Upper-intermediate | You can follow the main ideas of complex text, talk with native speakers fairly fluently and explain a viewpoint with its advantages and disadvantages. |
| C1 | Advanced | You can understand demanding longer texts, express yourself fluently and spontaneously, and use the language flexibly for study and work. |
| C2 | Proficient | You can understand virtually everything you hear or read and express yourself precisely, even in complex situations. |
How the level is worked out
Your answers are grouped by level. You pass a level when you answer at least two thirds of its questions correctly: 4 of 6 in the full test, 2 of 3 in the quick test. Your estimated level is the highest level at the end of an unbroken run of passed levels, starting from A1. If you fail A1 the result is "Below A1". If you almost passed the next level, the result says so.
Limits of an online level test
- It is short, so it can be off by one level in either direction. Take the Full test for a steadier result.
- It tests reading, grammar and vocabulary only. Speaking, listening and writing are not measured, and many learners are stronger in one skill than another.
- Multiple choice allows lucky guesses, which is why a level needs two thirds of the answers right.
- Exam scores can be compared with the CEFR using the English test to CEFR converter and the IELTS band score calculator.
English Level Test (CEFR A1 to C2) FAQ
How accurate is this English level test?
It is an informal estimate. A short multiple-choice quiz usually lands within one level of your real ability, but it cannot measure speaking, listening or writing. Use an official exam when you need proof of your level.
How long does the test take?
About 8 minutes for the 18-question Quick test and about 15 minutes for the 36-question Full test. There is no timer.
Can I get a certificate?
No. The result is an estimate for your own planning. Certificates come from exam bodies such as Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson.
What is the difference between B1 and B2?
At B1 you can manage most everyday situations and talk about experiences and plans. At B2 you follow complex texts, discuss abstract topics with fluency and explain your opinions in detail.
How do I improve my English level?
Read the review of questions you missed, then practise the weak area: the English tenses chart for grammar and the irregular verbs list for verb forms.