Free English level tests
Free English level tests compared: which one should you take?
Quick answer
The main free online English level tests measure different things. EF SET is the most complete: a 90-minute test of reading, writing, listening and speaking with a free certificate, or a 50-minute reading and listening version. The British Council and Cambridge tests are quick multiple-choice checks of grammar and vocabulary that give an approximate level and do not test speaking. SpeakBase is a 3-minute spoken conversation with an AI examiner that gives your speaking level from A1 to C1. Take EF SET if you need a certificate, British Council or Cambridge for a quick grammar check, and SpeakBase if you want to know how well you actually speak.
Searching for a free English level test returns dozens of options, and most of them are the same kind of quiz. The differences that matter are how long the test takes, which skills it measures, whether anyone hears you speak, and what you get at the end. Here are the four most useful free tests side by side.
The four tests side by side
| Test | Time | What it tests | Speaking | You get | Cost and sign-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF SET | 90 min or 50 min | All four skills, or reading and listening | Yes, in the 90-minute test | CEFR level and a free certificate | Free |
| British Council | A few minutes | Grammar, vocabulary, phrasing (multiple choice) | No | Approximate level | Free, log in or register |
| Cambridge Test your English | A few minutes | Short quiz | No | Approximate level and suggested exams | Free |
| SpeakBase | 3 min | Speaking: fluency, vocabulary, grammar, interaction | Yes, a live voice conversation | CEFR level A1 to C1 (scores with Premium) | Free, Google sign-in |
Read on each test's own website on .
EF SET
EF SET from EF Education First offers two free certifying tests: a 90-minute test of all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and a 50-minute test of reading and listening only, plus a 20-question practice test. Results are aligned to the CEFR, from A1 to C2 on the four-skill test, and you get a free certificate you can add to a CV or LinkedIn profile. It is the best free option when you need something to show an employer, and the longest.
British Council level test
The British Council's LearnEnglish level test is a multiple-choice test of grammar, vocabulary and phrasing, with three possible answers per question. You need to log in or register first. At the end it gives an approximate indication of the level you are working towards, mainly to help you choose learning materials. It does not test speaking or listening.
Cambridge English Test your English
Cambridge's Test your English is a quick, free level check that takes a few minutes and suggests a level and suitable Cambridge exams. Cambridge itself says it is not an official exam and the score is only a guide. For an official result, Cambridge offers paid exams such as its qualifications and Linguaskill, which certifies B1 to C2.
SpeakBase speaking test
SpeakBase's level test is a 3-minute voice conversation with Kate, an AI examiner, who raises the difficulty of her questions as you answer. It is scored on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and interaction, and places you on the CEFR from A1 to C1. It is free with a Google sign-in and no credit card, and the level appears as soon as the conversation ends; the four scores and personalised tips come with Premium. It measures speaking only, and it is not a certificate.
Which test to take
- You need proof of your level for a job application or LinkedIn: EF SET, ideally the 90-minute four-skill version.
- You need an official result for a university or a visa: a paid exam such as IELTS, TOEFL or a Cambridge English qualification. No free online test replaces them.
- You want a quick idea of your grammar and vocabulary: British Council or Cambridge, a few minutes each.
- You want to know how well you speak, in a few minutes: SpeakBase. Many adults read at B2 and speak at A2 or B1, and only a spoken test shows that gap.
- Taking two different tests is normal. A grammar quiz and a speaking test often give different levels, and both results are useful.
Frequently asked questions
Which free English level test is the most accurate?
For overall level, EF SET's 90-minute four-skill test is the most complete free option, because it measures reading, writing, listening and speaking. For spoken English specifically, a conversation-based test like SpeakBase's 3-minute speaking test reflects how you actually speak. Quick multiple-choice checks give an approximate level only.
Is there a free English test that checks speaking?
Yes. EF SET's 90-minute four-skill test includes speaking, and SpeakBase's level test is entirely spoken: a 3-minute voice conversation with an AI examiner, scored on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and interaction, with a CEFR level from A1 to C1.
Do free English level tests give a certificate?
EF SET gives a free certificate for a CV or LinkedIn. The British Council, Cambridge and SpeakBase free tests give a level, not a certificate. Universities and visa offices usually require a paid exam such as IELTS, TOEFL or a Cambridge qualification.
Why do different tests give me different levels?
Because they measure different skills. A grammar and vocabulary quiz measures what you recognise; a speaking test measures what you can produce in real time. Many learners score a level higher on a quiz than on a speaking test.
How long do free English level tests take?
From about 3 minutes (SpeakBase's spoken test) and a few minutes (Cambridge and British Council quick checks) to 50 or 90 minutes for EF SET's certifying tests.
