Extended Certification

What is extended certification?

Extended certification gives candidates recognition of the language skills they have demonstrated and a clearer picture of how results relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages. 

How does it work?

Extended certification is designed to give a clear indication of a candidate's true achievements.

Candidates who achieve an 'A' grade for:

• B2 First (FCE) (inc. B2 First for Schools)
• C1 Advanced (CAE)
• B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) and C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)

or a 'Pass with Distinction' for:

• A2 Key (KET) (inc. for A2 Key Schools)
• B1 Preliminary (PET) (inc. B1 Preliminary for Schools)
• B1 Business Preliminary

will receive a certificate at the CEFR level above the level the exam is mapped to.

Likewise, candidates who do not achieve a passing grade, but who still demonstrate a standard of English at the CEFR level below the level the exam is mapped to, will be awarded a certificate stating that level.

An example of extended certification

If you are taking the A2 Key (KET) exam, which is designed to test English at CEFR level A2, you would:

• Receive a certificate stating that you have demonstrated an ability at CEFR level B1 if you achieved a 'Pass with Distinction'. 
• Receive a certificate stating that you have demonstrated an ability at CEFR level A1 if you narrowly missed out on a 'Pass', but demonstrated that your English was at this level.

Possible certificate outcomes for A2 Key (KET):

• Pass with distinction: A2 Key (KET) certificate stating you demonstrated ability at level B1 on the CEFR.
• Pass with Merit or Pass: A2 Key (KET) certificate - level A2 on the CEFR.
• Level A1: A Cambridge English certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at level A1

Extended certification is demonstrated in this diagram where you'll see that most of our exams span three different CEFR levels:

Understanding your results

For each exam we have created an Understanding your results document which helps to explain what your results mean.

To access this information, navigate to the Exams section of our website, pick your exam type and level, go to the Results section (on the left-hand menu), scroll to the bottom of the page and open the PDF Find out how to understand your statement of results at the bottom of this section.

FAQs

When was extended certification introduced?

Did your exams change when extended certification was introduced?

I achieved a CEFR level above the one the exam was mapped to, will I be awarded a certificate for the exam above?

I achieved a CEFR level below the one the exam was mapped to, will I be awarded a certificate for the exam below?

I took my exam before extended certification was introduced, can I get a new certificate showing the level I achieved?

Still need help?

If you have any questions about extended certification please get in touch.