The LanguageCert System (LS)
The LanguageCert System tests derive from extensive item banks of pre-tested and calibrated material, and associated validation research, based on an established candidature of LanguageCert tests and exams aligned to a common underlying measurement scale. To date, the LanguageCert System has based itself on tests which cover a single CEFR level, with the exception of the LanguageCert Test of English (LTE).
Following feedback from extensive use of the LanguageCert System around the world, the LanguageCert System now also includes two multi-level test variants aimed at workers and migrants, and tertiary education applicants. These are the LanguageCert General and Academic tests.
LanguageCert Global Scale |
CEFR | LanguageCert General | LanguageCert Academic |
IELTS | ||||
90 - 100 | C2 | 90+ | 8.5 - 9.0 | |||||
75 - 89 | C1 | 75+ | 75 - 89 | 7.0 - 8.0 | ||||
60 - 74 | B2 | 60 - 74 | 60 - 74 | 5.5 - 6.5 | ||||
40 - 59 | B1 | 40 - 59 | 40 - 59 | 4.0 - 5.0 | ||||
20 - 39 | A2 | 20 - 39 | ||||||
10 - 19 | A1 | |||||||
0 - 9 | Below A1 | |||||||
The established scoring arrangements between the LanguageCert Global Scale and the CEFR are verified by ongoing analysis of test performance as well as by the LanguageCert research and validation programmes. Scoring arrangements for use in conjunction with specific visa requirements including the UKVI, NZQA, IRCC service are confirmed independently with the authorities and more information can be found in the respective websites. Institution entry requirements are to be verified by the institutions webpages directly.
Concordancing evidence with other testing providers (indicative IELTS below) are an illustration of the equivalencies, as verified both internally and independently by our external partners. In the middle of the scoring arrangements (LC global scale 60-80) evidence is more robust and scoring arrangements in lower and higher parts of the Global Scale should be interpreted with caution. In any case test takers need to verify the scoring requirement at the websites of the accepting institutions.
The published versions of all information that is relevant to the use of LanguageCert scores are updated regularly taking into consideration the needs of stakeholder.
LanguageCert General and LanguageCert Academic are designed for candidates who are not native speakers of English and who wish to achieve a high quality, internationally recognised qualification in English that is available and recognised worldwide. They are suitable for candidates who are preparing for entry to higher education, or professional employment in the UK or elsewhere, or for candidates who need to demonstrate that they have met the required level of English by passing a test with a Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider. Both qualifications reference the descriptions of language proficiency in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
LanguageCert General and LanguageCert Academic measure proficiency in the same way, to the same scale, using the same task types. The two tests have been designed and developed according to the same standard procedures. The test delivery processes and scoring methods are identical.LanguageCert places exam validity and reliability at the heart of its qualification development processes. LanguageCert Academic and LanguageCert General qualifications were officially launched in 2023, backed with extensive pretesting and trialling of test materials to ensure fairness, fitness-for-purpose, and comparability.