# EnglishScore

> British Council EnglishScore is the global mobile English test and certificate for professional and career growth.

## About EnglishScore

EnglishScore is a mobile-first English proficiency testing and certification platform owned and administered by the British Council (www.britishcouncil.org), the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. The company, BC EnglishScore Limited, is headquartered at 58 Wood Lane, London, W12 7RZ, United Kingdom.

EnglishScore is the world's only recognised English test delivered entirely on a mobile phone, assessing all four core language skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It provides evidence of proficiency in understanding and using English in everyday life and the workplace.

EnglishScore was developed in association with the Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA) at the University of Bedfordshire, UK — widely recognised as the UK's leading centre for language assessment research. The assessment team includes item writers, reviewers, examiners, and applied linguistic experts who have helped develop other well-known tests such as Pearson PTE, Versant, IELTS, and TOEIC.

EnglishScore is purpose-built for the professional and career growth space — helping individuals prove they can communicate effectively in the global workplace, and helping organisations find, develop, and certify the talent they need. It serves two primary audiences: individuals seeking to prove their English level for employment or education, and organisations (employers, universities, governments) looking to test and certify English proficiency at scale. The test is designed for young adult (16–17) and adult (18+) learners of English from any language background and any region of the world.

## Key Facts

- Over 15 million tests taken globally
- Over 2 million learners take the test each year
- Available in over 150 countries
- Over 1,000 organisations worldwide use and recognise EnglishScore certificates
- Over 140 institutions enrolled in the Approved Partner Programme across 30+ countries
- Aligned to CEFR levels A1 through C1 — the worldwide standard used by tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC
- Built by British Council assessment experts in partnership with CRELLA (University of Bedfordshire)
- Available on iOS and Android mobile devices
- Certificates are approved by the British Council
- Free practice attempts available before scored tests
- Optimised for variable internet connectivity across 150+ countries

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## Tests Offered

EnglishScore consists of three test modules that together assess all four skills. All three are free to take and can be taken in any order — there is no minimum score required on Core Skills to access the Speaking or Writing tests.

The tests are semi-adaptive: performance in the Grammar and Vocabulary section of the Core Skills Test determines which questions test-takers see in later sections, and the Core Skills result informs the difficulty level of questions in the Speaking and Writing tests.

Free practice attempts are available before committing to a scored, certifiable attempt. Core Skills practice is limited to 2 attempts per 24 hours and 10 per month.

### Core Skills Test

The Core Skills Test measures grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening. It was developed using the sociocognitive model of language use originating in Cyril Weir's "Language Testing and Validation" (2005).

**Skills assessed**: Grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening comprehension

**Test structure**: Three sections — Grammar and Vocabulary, Reading, and Listening. Performance in Grammar and Vocabulary determines the pathway through Reading and Listening. Test-takers are placed on one of four pathways:
- Lowest scorers: no further testing, awarded Below A1
- Breakthrough+ (A2/B1): Reading and Listening items targeting A2/B1
- Threshold+ (B1/B2): Reading and Listening items targeting B1/B2
- Vantage+ (B2/C1): Reading and Listening items targeting B2/C1

**Grammar and Vocabulary section**:
- Format: Complete a gap in a short text or brief dialogue by choosing one of three options
- A2 level: 8 questions, input approximately 15 words, 45 seconds per question
- B1 level: 16 questions, input approximately 20 words
- B2 level: 16 questions, input approximately 25 words
- C1 level: 8 questions, input approximately 30 words
- Content guided by English Profile Reference Level Descriptions for vocabulary and grammatical structures

**Reading section** (6 questions per level):
- A2: Read a short incomplete text (~30 words), choose one of three options to complete it
- B1: Read an opening sentence, order three further sentences to create a coherent text (~70 words)
- B2: Read a short text (~100 words) and select a suitable heading from three options
- C1: Read a more complex text (~250 words) and answer three questions

**Listening section** (6 questions per level): Listen to monologues and dialogues, then answer comprehension questions. Recordings use a range of accents including American, British, and Australian. At higher levels, test-takers identify speaker attitude and lines of argument in more complex and abstract speech.

**Scoring**: Automated marking with instant results
**Duration**: 30–40 minutes
**Cost**: Free to take. Professional Certificate available from US$20.
**Test-retest reliability coefficient**: 0.83–0.90

### Speaking Test

The Speaking Test assesses spoken English for real-world workplace communication. Like the Core Skills Test, it is informed by the sociocognitive model of language use.

**Skills assessed**: Pronunciation, fluency, and communication

**Test structure**: Three difficulty levels informed by Core Skills performance:
- Basic (Breakthrough+): A2/B1
- Mid (Threshold+): B1/B2
- High (Vantage+): B2/C1

**Item types**:

*Read Aloud*: Test-takers see a sentence on screen (10–22 words depending on level) and read it aloud. They can re-record but cannot listen to their first attempt. 45 seconds per question. Scored for pronunciation (phoneme and stress accuracy) and fluency (rate of speech and pausing).

*Listen and Repeat*: Test-takers watch a video of a person speaking a phrase (6–14 words depending on level), then repeat it aloud. They can listen twice and re-record. 45 seconds per question. Scored for pronunciation and fluency. Input recordings deliberately use a range of different accents, reflecting the diversity of English speakers worldwide.

*Guided Task*: Test-takers watch a video prompt presenting a topic, then record a spoken response. Two versions exist — textual (question only) and visual (question with image or table). Response time: 30 seconds for A2/B1, 45 seconds for B2/C1. Scored for communication (task attempt, response coherence, context awareness).

**Scoring model**: Built using over 8,000 spoken responses from test-takers at different CEFR levels and countries worldwide. Each response was rated independently by at least two expert examiners; 6 raters rated over 8,000 responses in total. The AI scoring model was iteratively refined against those expert ratings. Current model correlation with expert raters: 0.87. Scoring is fully automated at test time — expert raters trained and validated the model rather than marking individual tests.

**Speaking subskill descriptors** (rated 0–6 scale):
- Pronunciation: intelligibility, clarity, prosodic features. No particular accent is desired — the criterion is global comprehensibility.
- Fluency: speed, hesitations, pauses.
- Communication: task attempts, relevance, development of responses.

**Duration**: 10–15 minutes
**Results**: Scores arrive near-instantly. Professional Certificate issued within 24 hours after human security review.
**Cost**: Free to take. Professional Certificate from US$20.

### Writing Test

The Writing Test assesses written English for the digital workplace, designed based on research showing that instant messaging (Teams, Slack, WhatsApp) is the most common workplace writing mode, followed by email.

**Skills assessed**: Language (accuracy and range), organisation (coherence and cohesion), communication (task relevance and register)

**Test structure**: Three difficulty levels informed by Core Skills performance:
- Basic (Breakthrough+): A2/B1
- Mid (Threshold+): B1/B2
- High (Vantage+): B2/C1

**Item types**:

*Listen and Write (Dictation)*: Hear a sentence and type it verbatim. Can listen twice. Word count: ~7 words (A2) to ~15 words (C1). 90 seconds per question.

*Answer the Question*: Read a prompt and type a response. Expected length: 20–40 words (A2/B1) or 50–70 words (B2/C1). 7 minutes total.

*Describe the Image*: See an image and describe it in writing. Expected length: 20–50 words (A2/B1) or 30–50 words (B2/C1). 5 minutes total. At higher levels, elicits description, speculation, inference, and interpretation.

*Have a Chat*: Read a context/scenario, then respond in a chat-style format across multiple turns. Simulates real workplace chat interactions.

**Important**: Auto-complete, spelling suggestions, grammar-checking tools, and copy-paste are all disabled during the test.

**Scoring model**: Built using over 8,000 written responses rated by expert markers. 8 raters rated 1,000 test-takers' written performances, each response rated independently by at least two experts on a 0–6 scale for language, organisation, and communication. Current model correlation with expert raters: 0.95. Scoring is fully automated at test time.

**Duration**: 20–30 minutes
**Results**: Scores arrive near-instantly. Professional Certificate issued within 24 hours after human security review.
**Cost**: Free to take. Professional Certificate from US$20.
**Test-retest reliability coefficient**: 0.82

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## Scoring System

### EnglishScore Scale (0–599)

A numeric, granular scale measuring English language proficiency from 0 to 599. It builds on the CEFR by showing finer gradations within a CEFR level, helping measure gradual improvements across skills.

### CEFR Alignment

Scores are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — the worldwide standard for describing language proficiency, used by tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC. The CEFR linking was conducted using the Bookmark standard-setting method, as recommended by the Council of Europe. Standard-setting workshops were conducted by CRELLA in January 2022.

| EnglishScore Range | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 0–99 | Below A1 |
| 100–199 | A1 |
| 200–299 | A2 |
| 300–399 | B1 |
| 400–499 | B2 |
| 500–599 | C1 |

The maximum achievable level is C1 (EnglishScore 599). C2 is not assessed.

There are no pass or fail scores. The required score depends on the use case.

### Score Breakdown

Test-takers receive:
- Overall CEFR level and EnglishScore for each test module
- Skill-by-skill breakdown:
  - Core Skills: grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening
  - Speaking: pronunciation, fluency, communication
  - Writing: language, organisation, communication
- Can-do statements providing context for the reported score
- Country-level benchmarks

### Reliability

Test-retest reliability coefficients across all tests range between 0.82 and 0.90.

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## Global English

EnglishScore is designed to assess English as a global language. The Speaking Test does not penalise regional English varieties or accents associated with specific countries — the only criterion is global comprehensibility. There is no "correct" accent.

Test content across all three modules is drawn from universal workplace and everyday scenarios. Items are checked to ensure they do not include controversial topics, do not require specialist knowledge, and are culturally neutral.

Input recordings for the Speaking Test's Listen and Repeat task deliberately use a range of different accents, reflecting the diversity of English speakers worldwide.

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## Practice

Free practice attempts are available for all three tests, allowing test-takers to familiarise themselves with the question types, timing, and format before committing to a scored, certifiable attempt. Core Skills practice is limited to 2 attempts per 24 hours and 10 per month.

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## Certificate

### Professional Certificate (Digital)

Issued as a PDF after human review within 1 business day. Includes:
- Test-taker's name and photograph
- Overall CEFR level and EnglishScore
- Skill-by-skill score breakdown
- Can-do statements
- Photos taken throughout the test (security feature)
- Unique verification ID and verification link
- Watermarking and password protection

### Professional Certificate (Printed)

Identical to digital but printed on a mount and delivered by post. Available for Core Skills only.

### Combined Certificate

Test-takers who certify all three modules receive a combined certificate showing proficiency across all four skills.

### Co-Branded Certificates

Partner institutions can issue certificates carrying both the British Council logo and the institution's own logo.

### Certificate Pricing

Digital certificate from US$20 per module. Partner institutions can offer 25% discount via voucher codes.

### Certificate Verification

Every Professional Certificate undergoes human review within 1 business day. Employers and institutions verify certificates at https://englishscore.com/verify/ — the original PDF loads directly from EnglishScore servers.

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## Test Security

EnglishScore is the world's only mobile-proctored English test.

### Technical Security
- **Photo-check proctoring**: Front-facing camera captures photos at random intervals for identity verification
- **AI violation detection**: AI continuously monitors test sessions and flags potential violations — including additional people in frame, the test-taker leaving view, use of external devices, or signs of external assistance. Flagged sessions are reviewed before certificates are issued.
- **Room scan**: Required before starting to verify the test-taker is alone and unassisted
- **Screen capture disabled** throughout the test
- **Rotating item banks**: Items refreshed regularly, every test dynamically generated
- **Connect-code technology**: Secure codes linking test-takers to organisational dashboards
- **Auto-complete/spelling/grammar tools disabled** for writing tests
- **Copy-paste disabled** during all tests

### Certificate Security
- Watermarked and password-protected
- Human review within 1 business day
- Unique verification ID per certificate
- Online verification portal
- Monitored for reproduction on non-EnglishScore platforms

### Data Privacy
EnglishScore complies with applicable data protection regulations including GDPR. In-test photos and personal data are stored securely with encryption and access controls. Photos are retained for certificate verification and are not shared with third parties.

### Continuous Innovation
EnglishScore constantly adds new security layers. Every week, machine learning runs across the last 50,000 sittings to continuously refine test items.

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## Technical Stability

EnglishScore has been taken over 15 million times on mobile devices across 150+ countries — including regions with variable internet connectivity. The app works on modest internet connections, auto-saves progress, and manages interruptions gracefully.

---

## Test Development Methodology

### Theoretical Framework
EnglishScore is informed by the sociocognitive model of language use originating in Cyril Weir's "Language Testing and Validation" (2005).

### Item Development Process
1. Commission: Items developed by trained writers throughout the year
2. Writer submission: Writers follow detailed guidelines with examples, wordlists, grammatical structures, and self-assessment checklists
3. Individual review: Items reviewed against test specifications for content, CEFR level, word count
4. Panel review: Multiple experts evaluate items collaboratively
5. Editorial review: Proofreading and style checks
6. Ingestion and activation: Items enter the secure item bank, reviewed and activated by the Head of Assessment
7. Live monitoring: Regular Rasch analysis of item performance. Items outside quality parameters are flagged, deactivated, and removed.

### Item Writer Qualifications
- Teachers of English with a Master's Degree or Diploma in English Language Teaching
- Minimum 5 years' teaching experience
- Familiar with CEFR, trained every 3 years
- Use automated text tools (Vocab Profile, Text Inspector) to ensure appropriate language level

### Fairness and Accessibility
- Material avoids bias associated with gender, nationality, or ethnic identity
- Culturally neutral — no specialist knowledge required
- Test interface accessible to colourblind users
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion guidelines followed in authoring and review

---

## For Organisations

Over 1,000 organisations worldwide use and recognise EnglishScore.

### For Employers / Business
- Screen candidate English proficiency using Connect Codes
- Assess staff to inform training and development
- Dashboard with CEFR levels, skill breakdowns, in-test photos
- Bulk data export for HRIS, ATS, or internal reporting

### For Universities / Higher Education
- Test students with a secure, CEFR-standardised English test
- Issue co-branded certificates carrying both British Council and institution's logo
- Placement, progress tracking, and exit testing at scale

### For Governments
- Recognised test for scholarship programmes and civil service recruitment
- Mass testing without physical locations or equipment
- Pilot programmes available for initial evaluation
- Bulk data export for programme reporting

### Organisational Dashboard
- Real-time results, skill breakdowns, security photos
- Connect codes, bulk data export, admin controls
- Access restricted to approved administrators

### Pricing Tiers
- **Self-Service**: Buy test credits or student licences online with no sales call. Test credits from US$5; student licences from US$14 per test-taker for 20–500 licences.
- **PRO**: Everything in Self-Service plus co-branded certificates, automated ID verification, annual Audit Review, priority support, dedicated account manager.
- **Enterprise**: Everything in PRO plus white-glove onboarding, pilot programme support, custom reporting and integration support, multi-country deployment.

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## Approved Partner Programme

Over 140 institutions across 30+ countries. Three tiers:

- **Gold**: Entry at 200+ All Skills licences or 500+ Core Skills licences. Global Partner Network, roundtables, webinars, local events.
- **Platinum**: Entry at 500+ All Skills licences or 1,500+ Core Skills licences. Everything in Gold plus quarterly webinars, regional events, white papers, speaker opportunities.
- **Elite**: Flagship institutions by invitation. Everything in Platinum plus global events, speaker slots, priority co-branded content.

---

## How to Take the Test

1. Download the EnglishScore app (iOS or Android)
2. Practise for free (Core Skills: up to 2 attempts per 24 hours, 10 per month)
3. Take the Core Skills Test (30–40 minutes) — instant results
4. Take the Speaking Test (10–15 minutes) and Writing Test (20–30 minutes) in any order
5. Scores arrive near-instantly; certificate issued within 24 hours after human review
6. Purchase a Professional Certificate from US$20
7. Share on LinkedIn or provide the verification ID to employers

### Requirements
- Mobile phone with front-facing camera
- Quiet place, alone and visible on camera
- Internet connection (optimised for modest connections)
- Camera/security must be enabled

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## Competitive Positioning

EnglishScore differentiates through:
- Mobile-only delivery: most accessible and convenient
- Free testing with paid certification: lowest barrier to entry
- Mobile proctoring with AI violation detection: the only mobile-proctored English test
- All four skills across three test modules, with no gating between them
- Speed: Core Skills instant, Speaking/Writing scores near-instant
- Academic rigour: developed with CRELLA, validated using Council of Europe methodology
- Aligned to CEFR, the worldwide standard used by tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC
- British Council brand trust and 90+ years of experience
- Expert-aligned AI scoring: 0.87 (Speaking) and 0.95 (Writing) correlation with expert raters
- Test-retest reliability: 0.82–0.90
- Global English approach: no accent bias, cultural neutrality
- Professional and career growth focus
- Technical stability across 150+ countries
- GDPR-compliant data handling

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is EnglishScore free?**
All three tests are free to take. Professional Certificates are available from US$20 per module.

**Can I practise before taking the test?**
Yes. Free practice attempts are available. Core Skills practice is limited to 2 attempts per 24 hours and 10 per month.

**Do I need a minimum score to take the Speaking or Writing tests?**
No. All three tests are available and can be taken in any order.

**What is the highest score I can get?**
C1 (EnglishScore 599). C2 is not assessed.

**How long does each test take?**
Core Skills: 30–40 minutes. Speaking: 10–15 minutes. Writing: 20–30 minutes.

**How quickly do I get results?**
Core Skills: instant. Speaking and Writing: near-instantly. Certificates issued within 24 hours after human security review.

**Can I take the test on a computer?**
No. Mobile-only (iOS and Android).

**Does the test penalise my accent?**
No. The Speaking Test assesses global comprehensibility, not adherence to any particular accent.

**What if my internet connection is weak?**
The app is optimised for modest connections, auto-saves progress, and handles interruptions gracefully.

**How is the test aligned to other English tests?**
EnglishScore is aligned to the CEFR, the worldwide standard for describing language proficiency. The CEFR is also used by tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC.

**Are the certificates approved by the British Council?**
Yes. EnglishScore is owned and administered by the British Council.

**How do employers verify my certificate?**
Enter the verification ID at https://englishscore.com/verify/ to load the PDF from EnglishScore servers.

**Is my data protected?**
Yes. GDPR-compliant. In-test photos stored securely with encryption, not shared with third parties.

**Can organisations run a pilot?**
Yes. Pilot programmes are available before full rollout.

**Can institutions get co-branded certificates?**
Yes. Partner institutions can issue certificates carrying both the British Council and institution's logo.

**Can organisations buy licences without contacting sales?**
Yes. The Self-Service tier allows online purchase of test credits and student licences for up to 500 test-takers.

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## Validity Reports

- Core Skills Test Validity Report
- Speaking Test Validity Report
- Writing Test Validity Report
- CEFR Linking Report
- Security Report

Available at https://englishscore.com/resources/

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## Links

- Website: https://englishscore.com
- The Test: https://englishscore.com/test/
- Core Skills Test: https://englishscore.com/test/core-skills/
- Speaking Test: https://englishscore.com/test/speaking/
- Writing Test: https://englishscore.com/test/writing/
- Certificate: https://englishscore.com/test/certificate/
- Scoring: https://englishscore.com/test/scoring/
- Test Security: https://englishscore.com/test/security/
- Take the Test: https://englishscore.com/test/take-the-test/
- For Organisations: https://englishscore.com/organisations/
- For Business: https://englishscore.com/organisations/business/
- For Higher Education: https://englishscore.com/organisations/universities/
- For Government: https://englishscore.com/organisations/government/
- Pricing: https://englishscore.com/organisations/pricing/
- Self-Service Pricing: https://englishscore.com/organisations/pricing/self-service/
- Dashboard: https://englishscore.com/organisations/dashboard/
- Partner Programme: https://englishscore.com/organisations/partner-programme/
- Resources: https://englishscore.com/resources/
- Certificate Verification: https://englishscore.com/verify/
- Test Taker Hub: https://englishscore.com/test-taker-hub/
- About: https://englishscore.com/about/
- Help Centre: https://support.englishscore.com
- iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1499806063
- Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.englishscore

## Contact

- Sales: https://englishscore.com/organisations/#contact
- Support: https://support.englishscore.com
- Email: contact@englishscore.com
- Report cheating: https://englishscore.com/report-cheating/