Q: Is the certificate recognised?

Yes. It is recognised by: German embassies and consulates, immigration authorities, European universities, employers, many public and private institutions across Europe It is also accredited by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) and carries the Q Mark quality label. Note: the exam is not accredited within Austria.

Question 1

What is the ECL exam?

Accepted Answer

ECL stands for the European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages. It is an international test of language proficiency against the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The certificate is used to prove your language level for:

study
work
immigration
visa applications
professional recognition in many European countries

Question 2

Is the certificate recognised?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is recognised by:

German embassies and consulates
immigration authorities
European universities
employers
many public and private institutions across Europe

It is also accredited by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) and carries the Q Mark quality label.

Note: the exam is not accredited within Austria.

Question 3

What levels does the exam cover?

Accepted Answer

You can sit the following levels: A2, B1, B2, C1 There is no exam at the first level, A1.

Question 4

Who can sit the exam?

Accepted Answer

Anyone aged fourteen or over.

Question 5

Which levels can actually be examined in ECL?

Accepted Answer

A2, B1 and B2.

Question 6

When is the exam held?

Accepted Answer

The exam runs six times a year, in the following months: February, April, June, August, September, November

Question 7

Are the B1 and B2 exams held on different days?

Accepted Answer

Yes — they are held on two separate, consecutive days.

Question 8

How do I register for the exam?

Accepted Answer

Registration works in these steps: Enter your personal details (listed below)., Once your details are in the exam system, you receive a verification code., As soon as the verification code is registered, you receive an email with the exam fee., Pay the fee in full. The personal details required are: full name in English, exactly as it appears in your passport, place of birth, date of birth, full address, postcode, phone number, a working email address, the level you want to be examined at Note: check every detail carefully — your certificate is issued with exactly the data you register.

Question 9

Is there a registration deadline?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Registration opens for a set period, and the closing date is announced in advance. Once the system closes, no new registrations are accepted and details can no longer be changed.

Question 10

Where can I register for the exam?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways to register: through the official exam website, or through our own registration page

Question 11

Where is the exam held?

Accepted Answer

The exam is currently held in Cairo. The exact venue and address are confirmed after registration closes.

Question 12

Can I postpone my exam?

Accepted Answer

Yes, subject to conditions: you may postpone once only, only to the immediately following session, the request must be made within the set period, before exam day

Question 13

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Yes: before the system closes: according to the applicable refund policy, after the system closes: the refund rate set for that session applies (40% is refunded, on proof of exceptional circumstances), immediately before the exam: no refund is given

Question 14

Can I receive my certificate before its scheduled arrival?

Accepted Answer

No. You can, however, request a scanned copy of the certificate, provided you supply a letter from the body that requires it.

Question 15

What does the exam look like (the new format from August)?

Accepted Answer

The exam consists of four independent skills, taken in the same order on exam day: Lesen — reading, Schreiben — writing, Hören — listening, Sprechen — speaking Each skill is assessed entirely separately from the others; the pass mark for a single skill is 60%. The parts of the exam in detail: Reading — Time (minutes): A2 35, B1 35, B2 45; Number of tasks: A2 2, B1 2, B2 2; Word count: A2 400–600, B1 500–700, B2 800–1000; Number of questions: A2 20, B1 20, B2 20 Writing — Time (minutes): A2 35, B1 40, B2 60; Number of tasks: A2 2, B1 2, B2 2; Word count: A2 100 in total (≈ 50+50), B1 200 in total (≈ 100+100), B2 300 in total (≈ 150+150) Listening — Time (minutes): A2 15–20, B1 20–25, B2 25–30; Number of tasks: A2 2, B1 2, B2 2; Word count: A2 400–600, B1 500–700, B2 800–1000; Number of questions: A2 20, B1 20, B2 20

Question 16

Do I have to pass all four skills together?

Accepted Answer

No. You can sit and pass each skill independently, and a separate certificate is issued for the skill you pass. Once you have passed every skill at a level within the same year, the full level certificate is issued.

Question 17

What happens if I fail one of the skills?

Accepted Answer

You only retake the skill you did not pass — the skills you already passed do not need repeating.

Question 18

What does the reading exam involve?

Accepted Answer

Two texts and twenty questions. Duration: A2: thirty-five minutes, B1: thirty-five minutes, B2: forty-five minutes Question types: multiple choice, short answers, sentence completion Important: dictionaries are not allowed.

Question 19

What does the writing exam involve?

Accepted Answer

Two writing tasks. Duration: A2: thirty-five minutes, B1: forty minutes, B2: sixty minutes Only a general dictionary is allowed — for example German–German, or German to your own first language. Note: specialist dictionaries are not allowed, nor are dictionaries containing notes or handwriting, thematic dictionaries or picture dictionaries.

Question 20

How is writing marked?

Accepted Answer

Marking covers: grammar, accuracy and spelling, vocabulary, style, whether the task was actually answered

Question 21

What does the listening exam involve?

Accepted Answer

Two texts and twenty questions in total. Each recording is played twice. Duration: A2: fifteen to twenty minutes, B1: twenty to twenty-five minutes, B2: twenty-five to thirty minutes

Question 22

What does the speaking exam involve?

Accepted Answer

It consists of: an introductory, unmarked warm-up, a discussion between candidates on a randomly chosen topic, an individual talk about a picture or topic you are shown Duration: roughly fifteen to twenty minutes.

Question 23

Can I choose my speaking partner?

Accepted Answer

Yes — you can choose your partner before the system closes. If you do not, one is assigned at random. Contact details are shared with both candidates, with their written consent, so they can practise before the exam.

Question 24

What should I bring on exam day?

Accepted Answer

your national ID card or passport, a blue pen, a general dictionary (for the writing paper only), a bottle of water, any medication you need

Question 25

What is not allowed in the exam room?

Accepted Answer

mobile phones, smart watches, earphones, cameras or recording devices, books or papers, bags, any electronic device

Question 26

Is the exam under camera surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The exam is streamed live to the exam officials and recorded in both audio and video, and the recordings are retained in line with the regulations.

Question 27

Can I speak to the invigilators during the exam?

Accepted Answer

No. You may not speak to the invigilators, ask for questions to be explained, or ask about answers. Clear instructions are provided in the room to help candidates.

Question 28

In what circumstances is an exam annulled?

Accepted Answer

cheating or attempted cheating, using a mobile phone, exchanging information with another candidate, using materials that are not permitted, causing a disturbance or disrupting the exam room This can lead to: your result being annulled, no refund of the fee, being added to the exam blacklist

Question 29

Is support available for candidates with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided you submit a written request to the administration in Egypt setting out the support you need during the exam — for example being helped into the room, or specific medical care. Once the exam has started, however, no further assistance can be given.

Question 30

Are latecomers admitted?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as no more than 15 minutes have passed since the first skill began. If you arrive after that, a late-arrival report is filed and your exam is deferred to the next session, so that you get the full exam time.

Question 31

What are the key rules inside the exam room?

Accepted Answer

Important guidance for candidates in the exam room: use a blue pen only, you may write on the question paper, all answers must be transferred to the answer sheet before time is up, talking to, or looking at, another candidate is forbidden, no electronic devices may be used in the room, the invigilators’ instructions and the exam regulations must be followed in full Any breach may lead to the exam being annulled, or to a fail. Items you may not bring into the room: smart devices of any kind — phone, watch, earphones, recording or camera equipment, food of any kind, any papers that are not permitted (only your ID, dictionary and candidate card are allowed) Items you will need in the room: a blue pen, proof of identity, your candidate card, a dictionary (writing paper only), a bottle of water, any medication you need Marking your answers: in the reading grid, mark your answer with ☒. To change an answer, fill the wrong box in completely ☐ and put ☒ in the correct place. For a written answer, strike the wrong answer through. a dictionary may be used in the writing paper only; if you do not have one with you, raise your hand and the exam supervisor will provide one, check that your details on the first page of the answer sheet are correct and that your name is spelled correctly in English, talking to or looking at another candidate during the exam is strictly forbidden and counts as cheating, write nothing but your final answers on the answer sheet, and use no colour other than blue, you may write on the question paper, but every answer must be transferred to the answer sheet within the time allowed, put your pen down when time is called, or your exam is void and counted as a fail, speaking to or otherwise contacting the invigilators during the exam is strictly forbidden, an invigilator will accompany you to the toilet, and the time taken counts against your exam time Breaking the exam rules puts you at risk of failing.

Question 32

When are results published?

Accepted Answer

Normally within about twenty-one days to a month of the exam date. Results are published through the online system, and you receive your result by email.

Question 33

When do I receive my certificate?

Accepted Answer

Normally about a month after the results, often around the date of the next exam session. You are notified when it arrives.

Question 34

Can a replacement certificate be issued?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the certificate is lost, or the details on it are wrong, a new copy can be requested under the applicable regulations and fees.

Question 35

Can I appeal against my result?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An appeal can be submitted within the set period — 10 days from the publication of the result — and the exam is reviewed under the official procedure.

Question 36

Can I find out my result before it is officially published?

Accepted Answer

No. Under no circumstances is a result given out before it is officially released.

Question 37

Where are the exams marked, and by whom?

Accepted Answer

Answer sheets are always shipped to the exam board in Hungary, where they are reviewed and marked by two language academics holding a university doctorate.

Question 38

Can a candidate make a complaint?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A complaint can be made directly to the head of the exam committee immediately after the exam, but not while it is running. It must be submitted in writing, with a phone number for follow-up.

Question 39

Are there official practice papers?

Accepted Answer

Yes — official samples are available for every level, showing you: the format of the exam, the question types, how to answer, how marks are distributed, the marking criteria Browse the official samples

Question 40

Is a preparation course offered for the exam?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer an optional preparation course covering the format of the exam and how to approach it, usually in the month before the exam date.

Your official way to prove your language abilityfor work and study in Europe

What is the ECL exam?

Certifies your level from A2 to C1

Recognised in many countries

Suited to immigration, study and work

The ECL exam covers four language skills

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Who is the ECL exam for?

Students

Employees and professionals

Anyone needing official proof

Why choose the ECL exam?

Fair and transparent

Focused on practical skills

Fast results

Internationally recognised

How do you register for the ECL exam?

Register

Prepare

Sit the exam

Get certified

Prepare for the ECL exam with confidence

Prepare on your own

A dedicated language course

Past papers by level

Our ECL exam gallery

Book your seat before the exam begins

Exam dates in Egypt

Common questions about the ECL exam

What is the ECL exam?

Is the certificate recognised?

What levels does the exam cover?

Who can sit the exam?

Which levels can actually be examined in ECL?

When is the exam held?

Are the B1 and B2 exams held on different days?

Register now and reserve your place

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Your official way to prove your language ability
for work and study in Europe