Frequently Asked Questions

In your Confirmation of Entry you can find complete instructions on what is and is not allowed in the exam hall. Candidates are reminded that they will not have access to mobile phones, watches, and any electronic devices until the end of the written components and that these will not, under any circumstances, be admitted into the exam room. Most personal items are also left outside the exam room.

To prepare for your exam day, and be familiar with all the necessary requirements, please read our exam day tips.

For IELTS, please have a look at the Notice to Candidates.

On the day of the exam, be sure to bring a valid photo ID with you. Candidates who do not have acceptable means of identification will not be allowed to take the exam. The accepted documents are the Identity Card/Citizen Card, Residency Card, Passport or Driver's License. If you have any other type of identification, you may be prevented from taking the exam. Please contact us if this is the case.

If your identification document is lost or stolen before the exam day, please contact us as soon as possible.

Due to the increasing relevance of Cambridge English exams for immigration and other important purposes, identity theft is a priority issue for us. In most exams, candidates will be photographed on the day of the exam as proof of identity.

All examinations are conducted under strict supervisory conditions, and candidates suspected of any acts of fraud or wrongdoing will be reported.

For IELTS, please have a look at the Notice to Candidates.

Our aim is to present you with as many dates as available in order to allow you as much flexibility as possible. Most exams are available throughout the year, and we are generally able to provide you with a wide range of dates for written and computerized tests. Please visit our exam calendar for more details.

Most test sessions are held in Estoril, the Lisbon area, or its surroundings (subject to confirmation).

If you are a school or institution with a group of applicants, please contact us for more details on holding special sessions suited to your needs.

In the case of paper-based tests, results are generally available between 4 to 6 weeks after the exam, although Cambridge's Results When Ready system allows for some results to be available earlier for online consultation.

For computer-based exams, results will be available 2 to 3 weeks after your exam day.

Certificates are issued approximately 2 weeks after the results date.

In the lower-left corner of your Confirmation of Entry you will find the information you need to register for the Results Service for Candidates. If you have already registered on the old platform, you should use the same ID and Password. You can also use this site to share your results with any organisations that may require access to your results.

It is sometimes possible to make a last-minute enrolment, subject to the availability of test materials, but we cannot guarantee this possibility. A late registration fee will be charged. The deadline and fees can be found on the enrolment page for each exam.

If there is a legitimate reason for having missed your exam, and you can prove it, we may exceptionally issue a partial refund of your registration fee. Cases are considered individually.

If you are not currently taking a course, there is a wide range of practice materials available, such as free resources or self-study manuals. 

All Cambridge English exams are available in formats adapted to candidates with learning, hearing or vision impairments. Candidates that require special test formats should contact us prior to registration in order to ensure the availability of the necessary materials on the day of the exam.

In certain circumstances, Cambridge English will pay special attention to candidates who have a medical condition that could affect their performance on the day of the exam, provided a medical certificate and a brief updated statement is presented. However, due to the time required for this request, we recommend that applicants in this situation inform us as soon as possible.

You can download the statement template to be filled in by your doctor here

If you are late for any part of the exam, you will not be allowed into the exam room. We recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time on the day of the exam.

In most of our exams, you will take the Speaking test with one or two other candidates. There are two examiners. One of the examiners talks to you and the other examiner listens.

All of our examiners are highly trained and it is their job to make sure that you perform at your best in the test and that every candidate is treated fairly, with the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

In most tests, you will be asked some questions about yourself, speak about a photograph or image on your own and also perform a task with your partner(s) and answer some questions together.

Youe examiner will introduce each part of the test and tell you what to do. 

During the pandemic, we introduced the possibility of one of the Speaking examiners working remotely. In some situations we will have the examiner who just listens using a video link to hear the test. The examiner who speaks to you will always be in the room.

When a remote Speaking examiner is used, all video and sound checks will have been carried out before the test.

You will receive exactly the same test as you would if there were two examiners in the room.

An external microphone will be used to make sure that everything can be heard clearly.

There will never be visual recordings of the exam.

Sound is recorded in case of an emergency, but is always deleted at the end of the session.

Cambridge English exams are recognised by over 25,000 universities, employers and governments in 130 countries around the world. This certification can open doors to higher education, strengthen resumés and broaden career horizons for candidates.

Please visit the Cambridge English website for an updated global database of institutions that recognise Cambridge English certification. 

Some of the biggest companies in Portugal also recognise Cambridge English exams as certification – click here for the updated list.

Download the methodology used in the Cambridge English corporate analysis : Advanced to IELTS

Download Cambridge English: Advanced Score Comparison to IELTS

The Linguaskill test uses state-of-the-art technology to assess any level of English between A1 and C1 of the CEFR through a multilevel, adaptative and automated assessment method. Unlike any other Cambridge Assessment exam, no specific prior preparation is required. The Linguaskill exam automatically adapts to the capabilities of each candidate, creating a test tailored to them and obtaining accurate and detailed results for each component.

You can choose to take the test in person at our facilities, or at one of our existing partners in Portugal. You can also perform your test in the comfort of your home or office, through remote proctoring (distance monitoring).

When sat remotely, the candidate can take their exam whenever they choose. If taken at our facilities or at those of any of our partners, you can contact us to schedule an appointment, and we will do our best to meet your needs.

Remote proctoring is a feature that allows your test to be monitored and controlled online, using artificial intelligence (AI) developed by one of our partners, Talview. Once you are logged in to the test, you are guided through some security measures that allow your test to be monitored via the webcam. The system generates alerts whenever there is any suspicious activity during the test.

The Speaking component is tested using the computer, headphones and a microphone. Your answers will be recorded and sent to Cambridge Assessment examiners for a final evaluation. Click here to see an example.

Linguaskill is an e-certification with a detailed report of the level of each candidate. Its results are presented in the same way as any other Cambridge certificate, according to the CEFR. Its validity is also supported by the fact that the exam is supervised and its results cannot be falsified, as they are available at the Linguaskill Results Service.

More and more educational institutions and business institutions recognise Linguaskill as English certification. However, since the exam is still quite recent, we suggest that you contact the institution in question to find out if they accept it.

Your report can be delivered in print or in digital format– both are equally valid. If physical authentication is required, you may request that a signed and stamped report be mailed to you. In any case, your results are stored at the Linguaskill Results Service, where they can be accessed both by you and by any requesting entity.

Yes, you can repeat individual components up to three months after the original test is taken to improve your overall result. The Linguaskill evaluation system registers the best score of each component in the final report.

No, it is not possible to access the answers entered into the system. Upon completion of each component, answers remain solely in possession of Cambridge English.

INOV Contacto recognises Linguaskill as a fast and accurate English certification. For the purposes of applying to the programme, during the enrolment period candidates can enjoy a 10% discount.

Available from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency, Cambridge English Qualifications Digital provide an enhanced exam experience and a faster, flexible way to get a Cambridge English Qualification. They test the same knowledge and skills as paper-based exams, with digital features to help you take control and perform at your best.

You will receive your results in 5-10 working days and you can enrol up to 7 days before the exam (subject to availability)