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The CEFR scale · in plain words

English levels explained: from A1 to C2

What “I’m B1” really means, how Intermediate differs from Upper-Intermediate and which level you need for work, study or moving abroad. A chart of all levels, a description of each and a free test to find yours.

  • 6 CEFR levels
  • Words and hours for each
  • IELTS and Cambridge
  • Grammar by level
  • Level test
Levels chartFind your level

English levels chart

The six levels of the Common European Framework (CEFR) and the familiar names schools and coursebooks use.

English levels chart
LevelNameWhat you can doWordsHours from zeroIELTSCambridge exam
A1Beginner / ElementaryIntroductions, simple phrases500–70080–1002.0–2.5—
A2Pre-IntermediateEveryday life, shopping, travel1000–1500180–2003.0–3.5A2 Key (KET)
B1IntermediateIndependent conversation on familiar topics2000–2500350–4004.0–5.0B1 Preliminary (PET)
B2Upper-IntermediateWork, study, films in the original3500–4500500–6005.5–6.5B2 First (FCE)
C1AdvancedFluent at work and in study6000–8000700–8007.0–8.0C1 Advanced (CAE)
C2ProficiencyAlmost like a native speaker10 000+1000–12008.5–9.0C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Words and hours are approximate (based on Cambridge English guidance): adults with regular lessons and homework often get there faster, with breaks it takes longer.

A — basic user

You understand and build simple phrases about yourself and everyday life.

A1 — Beginner

≈ 500–700 words · 80–100 hours from zero

The first level: you know basic words and set phrases and can introduce yourself if the other person speaks slowly and clearly.

What you can do

  • Introduce yourself, say where you’re from and what you do
  • Order a coffee, ask the price, count money
  • Understand simple signs, menus and short messages
  • Fill in a form: name, address, date of birth

Grammar of the level

How to reach the next one

To A2 — about 80–100 hours: the past tense, comparisons, words for travel and shopping.

Check if you’re A1

A2 — Pre-Intermediate (Elementary)

≈ 1000–1500 words · 180–200 hours from zero

You feel confident in simple everyday situations and can talk about what you did yesterday or plan for the weekend.

What you can do

  • Talk about your family, job and your day
  • Buy a ticket, check into a hotel, ask for directions
  • Read a simple letter, notice or timetable
  • Write a short message or postcard

Grammar of the level

How to reach the next one

To B1 — another 150–200 hours: Present Perfect, modal verbs, unprepared conversation on everyday topics.

Exams: IELTS 3.0–3.5 · A2 Key (KET)

Check if you’re A2

B — independent user

You get by on your own: travel, work, films with subtitles.

B1 — Intermediate

≈ 2000–2500 words · 350–400 hours from zero

The “I speak English” milestone: you keep a conversation going on familiar topics, with mistakes, and understand the main points of clear speech.

What you can do

  • Deal with any situation while travelling
  • Describe experiences and plans and explain your opinion
  • Follow a series with subtitles or a learner podcast
  • Write a letter or a simple text on a familiar topic

Grammar of the level

How to reach the next one

To B2 — another 150–200 hours: the passive, reported speech, conditionals, vocabulary for work and news.

Exams: IELTS 4.0–5.0 · B1 Preliminary (PET)

Check if you’re B1

B2 — Upper-Intermediate

≈ 3500–4500 words · 500–600 hours from zero

The level international companies and universities abroad usually ask for: you talk with native speakers fluently without strain for either side.

What you can do

  • Take part in work meetings and job interviews in English
  • Watch films and series in the original and understand most of it
  • Read articles and news on a wide range of topics
  • Write an essay, a report or a business email with arguments

Grammar of the level

How to reach the next one

To C1 — 200+ more hours: idioms, complex structures, academic writing, natural-sounding speech.

Exams: IELTS 5.5–6.5 · B2 First (FCE)

Check if you’re B2

C — proficient user

You use English almost like your first language — at work, in study, in research.

C1 — Advanced

≈ 6000–8000 words · 700–800 hours from zero

You express yourself fluently and naturally, understand implied meaning and jokes, and rarely search for words.

What you can do

  • Negotiate, give presentations, speak in public
  • Understand long, complex texts and speech without subtitles
  • Write clear, well-structured texts on complex subjects
  • Study or work in English without limits

Grammar of the level

How to reach the next one

To C2 — years of practice in an English-speaking environment: nuances of style, rare vocabulary, precision.

Exams: IELTS 7.0–8.0 · C1 Advanced (CAE)

Check if you’re C1

C2 — Proficiency

≈ 10 000+ words · 1000–1200 hours from zero

The top level: you understand virtually everything you hear and read and express the finest shades of meaning precisely.

What you can do

  • Understand any speech, including fast speech and strong accents
  • Summarise and rephrase information from different sources
  • Write complex texts: articles, analysis, fiction
  • Play with style, humour and wordplay

How to reach the next one

Next — keep it up: read, listen to and speak English every day.

Exams: IELTS 8.5–9.0 · C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced: which levels are these

Schools and coursebooks still use the old names. Here is how they match the CEFR and how to state your level on a CV or LinkedIn.

Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced: which levels are these
School nameCEFROn a CV / LinkedIn
Beginner / StarterA1Basic (A1) · Elementary proficiency
ElementaryA1–A2Elementary (A2) · Elementary proficiency
Pre-IntermediateA2Pre-Intermediate (A2) · Limited working proficiency
IntermediateB1Intermediate (B1) · Limited working proficiency
Upper-IntermediateB2Upper-Intermediate (B2) · Professional working proficiency
AdvancedC1Advanced (C1), Fluent · Full professional proficiency
ProficiencyC2Proficient (C2) · Full professional proficiency

The names are not standardised: some schools call A1 Elementary, others A2. So always add the CEFR code on a CV, and choose «Native or bilingual» on LinkedIn only if English is your first language.

Which level do you need for…

The benchmarks people ask about most often at trial lessons.

  • Travel

    A2–B1

    A2 is enough for hotels, cafés and transport; to handle anything that comes up — B1.

  • Ukraine’s NMT exam

    B1

    NMT English tasks are aimed at B1; a high score needs a confident B1+ with a good vocabulary.

  • Master’s entrance exam (ЄВІ)

    B1–B2

    Reading and use of English at B1–B2: aim for B2 to compete for state-funded places.

  • Working in IT

    B1–B2

    Juniors often get by with B1 (reading documentation); calls with clients need B2.

  • Studying abroad

    B2–C1

    Bachelor’s programmes usually ask for IELTS 6.0–6.5 (B2), master’s for 6.5–7.0 (B2–C1).

  • Moving and working abroad

    B1–B2

    B1 for everyday life, B2 for office or service jobs. Some visas require an official test (IELTS).

How to certify your English level

An online test gives you an estimate. For university, a job abroad or a visa you need a certificate from an international exam — most often one of these.

  • IELTS

    A2–C2 · bands 0–9

    The most widely used exam for study, work and visas (the UK, Canada, Australia). It comes in two versions: Academic for universities and General Training for work and migration. Results are usually accepted for 2 years.

  • Cambridge English

    A2 Key — C2 Proficiency

    A separate exam for each level: A2 Key, B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency. The certificate never expires and is known to employers and universities; popular with school and university students.

  • TOEFL iBT

    B1–C2 · scores 0–120

    An American exam, mostly for universities in the USA and Canada. You take it at a test centre or online at home. Scores are valid for 2 years.

  • Duolingo English Test

    A2–C2 · scores 10–160

    An online test taken at home in about an hour, with results in a few days. Thousands of universities accept it, but visas usually require IELTS. Valid for 2 years.

How to find your level

The quickest way is an online test: 30 grammar, vocabulary and reading questions from A1 to C1, 10–15 minutes, with every mistake explained. It shows your CEFR level and the topics worth working on.

A test can’t check speaking, so a teacher gives the most accurate result. At a free trial lesson at Slay School (online, from anywhere) we talk to you in English, assess your level and suggest a plan.

Take the level testTest for kids aged 7–12Book a trial lesson

FAQ

Didn’t find your answer? Send us a request — we’ll tell you everything.

What is CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — a scale of language ability created by the Council of Europe. It’s the same for every language: B1 in English and B1 in French mean the same skills.

Which level is Elementary?

A1–A2: some schools call A1 Elementary, others use the name for A2, right after Beginner. Pre-Intermediate is A2. To avoid confusion, look at the CEFR code — and check your own level with the free test.

Which level is Intermediate?

B1. Pre-Intermediate is A2, Upper-Intermediate is B2, Advanced is C1. Coursebooks and schools still use the old names; CVs and exams use the CEFR codes.

How long does it take to go up a level?

About 80–100 hours of study from A1 to A2, then 150–200 hours or more for each next level. With two or three lessons a week plus homework that’s roughly 4–6 months per level at first, and longer at B2–C1.

What counts as a good level of English?

For most goals, B2: it’s the level for international companies, universities abroad and films in the original. B1 means you communicate independently, C1 means fluent.

Can you get stuck at one level?

Yes, especially at B1: the grammar is familiar, but speaking doesn’t get easier. More speaking practice, new words in context and working on mistakes with a teacher usually help.

How do I put my English level on a CV?

With the CEFR code and an exam result if you have one: “English — B2 (IELTS 6.5)”. Don’t overstate it: an interviewer will check in a couple of minutes.

All English resources

Next step

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