Common exam FAQs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about exams
- How do I enrol for a Cambridge ESOL exam?
- Where is my nearest centre?
- Where can I study for your examinations in the UK?
- How many types of Cambridge ESOL exam are there?
- Do I need to follow a course to take the exams?
- How much does an examination cost?
- What happens if I unavoidably miss part of an exam?
- If I cannot take the exam, do I get my money back?
- If I was unable to take the exam, can I re-take it?
- What materials can I use to study for my Cambridge ESOL exam?
- How do I view Cambridge ESOL downloads like handbooks and sample papers?
- Can I take a Cambridge ESOL exam if I have any specific physical or learning difficulty?
- What if something happened during the exam which might influence my performance?
- How long will my score or my examination certificate be valid?
- How do we become a Cambridge ESOL examination centre?
- I've taken a Cambridge ESOL exam. Can you tell me my results?
- How can I get more information?
How do I enrol for a Cambridge ESOL exam?
Cambridge ESOL exams can only be taken at authorised Cambridge ESOL examination centres. There are currently centres in more than 130 countries.
Where is my nearest centre?
Use the centre search to find your nearest centre.
Where can I study for your examinations in the UK?
If you are thinking of studying English in the UK, you can find out details of 330 accredited schools and colleges by looking at the English UK website, at www.englishuk.com. All of these centres have been inspected and approved by the British Council.
How many types of Cambridge ESOL exam are there?
Cambridge ESOL offers English language qualifications for learners at all levels and in all contexts (e.g. English for Young Learners, Business English, General English) and a suite of internationally recognised English Language Teaching Awards.
View the full list of Cambridge ESOL exams.
Do I need to follow a course to take the exams?
No. Although most candidates do follow a course before taking the exam, it is not a requirement. Contact your local centre to find out about registering for the exam as an individual.
How much does an examination cost?
At each centre there is a Local Secretary, who is responsible for running the exams. He or she will be able to tell you when the exams will take place and how much they cost, and can give you all of the information you need in order to register for the exams. The cost of entering for a Cambridge ESOL exam depends on which exam you take and where you take it.
What happens if I unavoidably miss part of an exam?
If something which you can't prevent happens and it stops you from taking one or more part(s) of an exam, contact your Local Secretary as soon as you can. If you miss the Speaking test (and for some exams, the Listening test), it may be possible for you to take the test at another time. If you miss one part of an exam and it is not possible for you to take it later, it may be possible for Cambridge ESOL to award a grade. If you miss more than one part, it may be possible for Cambridge ESOL to return some of your fee.
If I cannot take the exam, do I get my money back?
If you have to withdraw from the exam on medical grounds or if you miss the exam because of illness, you will have to contact your centre to check if a refund can be made.
If I was unable to take the exam, can I re-take it?
No. Candidates cannot re-take any part. Unfortunately it is not possible to transfer the exam fee to a later session as all preparations have been made for the candidate to sit the exam at that session. You must contact your local centre to arrange to sit the exam in the next session.
What materials can I use to study for my Cambridge ESOL exam?
If you are looking for books and materials to help you prepare for Cambridge ESOL exams, there is a huge range available.
View a list of publishers that offer materials related to the Cambridge ESOL exams listed. For more details, please contact the publisher directly.
You can also download sample papers or purchase some of the past papers used in Cambridge ESOL exams.
How do I view Cambridge ESOL downloads like handbooks and sample papers?
Most downloadable documents on our website are available as PDF files. To view, save and print these documents, you will need the latest version of Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded free from www.adobe.com
If you are still having problems viewing our PDF documents in your browser, and you have Acrobat Reader, right-click on the document link and choose "Save Target As …" (on certain browsers wording may differ). When prompted, name the file, save it to your hard drive and open the document.
Please be aware many of the files on this site are quite large and may take some time to download depending on the speed of your internet connection.
Please contact Cambridge ESOL using the enquiry form if you continue to have issues viewing our downloadable materials. We will be happy to assist you with any problems.
Can I take a Cambridge ESOL exam if I have any specific physical or learning difficulty?
Yes, Cambridge ESOL is happy to make provisions to help candidates with special needs. You should ask your centre to apply to Cambridge ESOL Special Circumstances Unit.
More information on Special Circumstances.
What if something happened during the exam which might influence my performance?
If you feel that you were affected by intolerable circumstances immediately before or during your examination, your centre can apply for you to be given special consideration. Contact your centre for more information.
How long will my score or my examination certificate be valid?
The simple answer is that once you have obtained a Cambridge ESOL exam (apart from IELTS), this is valid for the rest of your life. However, people forget things, and language skills can become rusty. When employers or educational institutions make a decision on whether to rely on a certificate obtained some years previously, they will need to take into account a number of factors, most importantly whether the holder has kept up his or her use of the language.
Search for employers and educational institutions that recognise Cambridge ESOL exams.
If you have taken IELTS, your score will only be valid for two years. For more information on IELTS, visit www.ielts.org
How do we become a Cambridge ESOL examination centre?
In many places Cambridge ESOL's existing centre arrangements provide adequate access for candidates wishing to take the Cambridge ESOL examinations. In these situations there may not be any scope for a new centre to be approved even though an applicant may meet Cambridge ESOL's administrative and other requirements for fulfilling the responsibilities of a Cambridge ESOL centre.
Find out more about the centre approval process.
I've taken a Cambridge ESOL exam. Can you tell me my results?
Results are sent to centres approximately six weeks after the date of the examination. The centres then distribute them to candidates as per instructed. We are not able to advise individual candidates of a result. Please contact your centre of entry.
How can I get more information?
If you still have more questions that have not been answered here and which are not answered in the FAQs on the Teaching Resources website, please contact us.
