Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The ECL exam is a standardized language test that evaluates candidates’ listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in different languages. It was developed by the ECL Consortium (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages) to test communicative abilities in everyday life situations.

The ECL exam is offered in 15 languages: Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, and Spanish. However, their availability varies depending on the exam period and the exam center.

ECL exams are aligned with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and can be taken at four different levels:

• A2 (Basic User)
• B1 (Independent User - Vantage)
• B2 (Independent User - Threshold)
• C1 (Proficient User)

Individuals who turn at least 14 years old in the year of their registration are eligible to register for the ECL exam.

No. In accordance with Hungarian accreditation regulations, candidates must be at least 14 years old in the year of their registration to sit for the ECL exam. No exceptions are made for younger candidates.

ECL exams take place in various exam centers worldwide. Dates and exam availability vary depending on the language and location.

Yes, the ECL certificate is internationally recognized, particularly within the European Union. The exam has been awarded the ALTE Q-Mark for German and Hungarian as a foreign language, which guarantees high standards of reliability, fairness, and validity. Recognition mainly concerns German, as various authorities and institutions in Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Romania, and Vietnam recognize the ECL certificate as proof of general German language skills. You can find the list of recognition bodies here.

• In Hungary, ECL exams at levels A2, B1, B2, and C1 are state-accredited in English, Hungarian, and German. Degree recognition in other languages is possible through a recognition procedure by Hungarian educational authorities.
• In Romania, ECL exams at levels B1, B2, and C1 in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian are recognized as equivalent to the national high school graduation language exam. As recognition may vary depending on the country and institution, it is recommended to contact the relevant authorities (e.g., embassies, universities, employers) to inquire about their specific recognition requirements.

The ECL certificate is a general language test recognized in various fields.

Academic Purposes:

• In Hungary, universities such as the University of Pécs grant additional admission points for accredited language certificates, including the ECL certificate.
• In Romania, ECL exams at levels B1, B2, and C1 in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian are recognized as equivalent to the national high school graduation language exam.
• In Vietnam, the ECL certificate can replace mandatory language courses and final exams in vocational schools starting at level B1.
• In Germany and Austria, ECL certificates are generally not recognized by universities. It is therefore recommended to check their recognition beforehand.

Professional Qualifications:
In many countries, employers recognize the ECL certificate as proof of general language proficiency for job applications and career advancement.
The ECL certificate in German at levels A2, B1, B2, and C1 is accepted, for example, by:

• Central Office for Skilled Immigration of North Rhine-Westphalia (ZFE NRW)
• Regional Council of Darmstadt and Stuttgart

Immigration and Legal Procedures:

• As part of the visa application process, ECL certificates at levels A2, B1, B2, and C1 are recognized by the Federal Foreign Office and German diplomatic missions abroad as proof of German language skills (see the Visa Handbook (1.5.5 ECL Examination Center)).
• The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) recognizes standardized language certificates, such as the ECL certificate at levels A2, B1, B2, and C1, as an alternative to the 'German Test for Immigrants' (Overview of recognized language certificates).
• In Switzerland, ECL German certificates at levels B1 and B2 are recognized by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) for residence permits, settlement permits, and naturalizations.
• Austria does not accept ECL German certificates for immigration purposes.

As recognition requirements may vary from country to country, it is strongly recommended to contact the relevant authorities regarding specific requirements.

The ECL certificate does not have an expiration date. However, some institutions or employers may have their own policies regarding the validity period of language certificates. Embassies generally only accept certificates that are less than one year old.

The ECL exam evaluates four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These skills are tested through tasks that reflect real-world communication situations.

Yes, candidates can prepare for the ECL exam independently. The official ECL website offers online practice tests and self-study tips.

The ECL exam system does not offer preparatory courses. However, several language schools and institutions offer courses specifically tailored to the ECL exam. Candidates are invited to inquire with local language schools about available options.

The ECL exam follows a clear structure. A full exam includes two parts: a written test and an oral test. Each part evaluates two skills:

• Written part: Reading and Writing
• Oral part: Listening and Speaking

Candidates must complete two tasks for each skill.

The exact task types may vary depending on the language and level, but the ECL exam generally includes the following tasks:

The duration of each part of the exam depends on the exam level:

The duration of oral communication may vary depending on the number of candidates.

Sample exams for different languages and proficiency levels are available on the ECL website. They can help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types.

Each skill is independently evaluated by two examiners. A maximum of 25 points can be obtained for each skill.

To pass a complex exam, an overall average score of at least 60% must be achieved across all four skills, with at least 40% in each individual skill (reading, writing, listening, speaking).

To pass a partial exam (written only or oral only), an overall average of at least 60% in the two tested skills and at least 40% in each relevant skill must be achieved (reading and writing for the written exam, listening and speaking for the oral exam).

Yes, information regarding exam grading is available on the ECL website. A maximum of 25 points can be obtained for each skill. A detailed description of the evaluation criteria for written and oral tests is also available on the website.

The ECL exam evaluates four skills: reading comprehension, written expression, listening comprehension, and oral expression. Candidates can take the full exam (evaluating all four skills) or a partial exam covering only written expression (reading and writing) or only oral expression (listening and speaking). It is not possible to take an exam covering a single skill.

The oral section of the ECL exam takes place in pairs, meaning two candidates speak simultaneously. After a brief introduction, candidates discuss a given topic. In the second part of the exam, each candidate gives a short individual presentation based on a photo montage.

If the number of candidates is odd, the exam may also be taken in groups of three or, in exceptional cases, individually.

During online registration, candidates can indicate a preferred partner for the oral exam. Otherwise, pairing is assigned randomly.