Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Exam Details


The Cambridge ESOL exam is a part of largest assessment center in Europe, the Cambridge Assessment. It is administered by a non-teaching department of the Cambridge University and is designed to measure English proficiency skills of English language learners and people who are not natural natives of English language (ESL). Candidates can only take the Cambridge ESOL exam from authorized centers.

Every year about two million candidates from over 130 countries around the world take the Cambridge ESOL exam. There are also teaching qualifications like the DELTA and CELTA, which, are well known for their validations and research operations.


Entry Regulation

  • People of any age, creed, race or location can take the Cambridge ESOL exam. There are no related restrictions to the exam.
  • Some exams may have more than one session in the same month, candidates are not required to attend more than one session
  • Components of the exam should be completed on the specified date.
  • One can enter for different exams at the same session and long as proper arrangements are made at the centre.
  • Although no age limit applies the KET, YEL for Schools, PET and SFL are designed for a particular age group.
  • A candidate who is working can take each module of the ESOL exam on separate occasions e.g. Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing.
  • Breaching any of the entry regulation will cancel the entry and fees will not be refunded

The list of centres where the Cambridge ESOL exam can be given is available at www.cambridgeESOL.org/

Exam details


The exam is available as a written test in some centers.

Some centers administer the ESOL exam as a computer based test and this allows candidates to register up to a week before the exam date. It also adds flexibility in choosing an exam date.

Exam content


The topics that the ESOL exam covers are Business English, general English, Academic English and English that is meant for young learners. The exam is made up of four parts or modules

  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Writing


ESOL Practice Test Questions, Resources and Sample Questions


Reading Comprehension Exercises Sample paragraphs and questions -- about High School English level.
Implied Meaning Exercises - a sentence is given and you are asked what is implied.
Find the Meaning Exercises - Vocabulary practice exercise


Cambridge ESOL Study Guide


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ESOL Exam Study Guide