The Advanced Level Certificate in English (ALCE C1-C2) is a standardized 4-skill test at the advanced level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR C1 and C2). It is a secure exam developed by the Hellenic American University and administered by authorized test centers worldwide.
The Hellenic American University Advanced Level Certificate in English (ALCE C1-C2) is a standardized examination designed for candidates who wish to obtain certification of their competency in English as a second or other language at advanced level. The ALCE C1-C2 examination is aimed at the C1 and C2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The ALCE C1-C2 examination tests communicative competence in all four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as tasks which test grammatical resources. There is no separate vocabulary section, as vocabulary resources are tested through all tasks in all sections.
Listening (30 items)
Part 1 (6 items) (multiple choice): One monologue and one dialogue: each is heard twice, and each is followed by three questions. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options.
Part 2 (7 items) (multiple choice): Interview: one dialogue, heard twice, with seven questions relating to the main idea of each part of the interview. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options.
Part 3 (10 items) (multiple choice): Group discussion: presenter describes a proposal, and 4 speakers express their views on it. One discussion heard twice, accompanied by ten questions. Candidates choose the correct answer choice from three short written options.
Part 4 (7 items) (multiple choice): A talk: a monologue heard twice, accompanied by seven questions, each with three answer choices.
Listening section duration: 45 min. (approx.)
Candidates are given extra time (5 minutes) to transfer answers onto the answer sheet.
Reading & Use of Language (50 items)
Task 1 (10 items): Editing: One text: five of the ten numbered sentences in the text contain a language error. Candidates decide which five sentences contain an error, paying attention to the underlined part of each sentence.
Task 2 (10 items): Identifying the best grammar / vocabulary / discourse option for gaps in a cloze text: Two short cloze texts, each with five multiple-choice questions. Candidates complete each gap in the texts by choosing from four possible answer choices.
Task 3 (10 items) Reading for main ideas: Candidates read one text comprising seven paragraphs. The first seven questions concern the main idea of each paragraph, while the last three compare information from different paragraphs. Candidates choose the correct answer to each question from four answer choices.
Task 4 (10 items) Reading to understand details: Candidates read one text, usually on a scientific or academic topic, accompanied by ten questions, each with four answer choices. The questions test detailed understanding of the text, including identifying meaning from context.
Task 5 (10 items) Reading to understand viewpoints in an argumentative text: An argumentative text followed by ten multiple-choice questions with four answer choices. The first six questions concern viewpoints expressed in the text, while the other four questions concern discourse features.
Reading & Use of Language section duration: 75 minutes
Writing (1 task)
Candidates choose one from a choice of two possible tasks. Both tasks comprise an argumentative essay, in which the candidate argues a case based on at least two of the prompts provided.
Length requirement: at least 250 words. Candidates can take notes (make an outline, etc.). Candidates must use pencil in this section.
Writing section duration: 45 minutes
Speaking (3 tasks)
Test Format: 1 examiner and 1 candidate
Task 1: Warm Up: Candidates answer non-sensitive personal questions.
Task 2: Topic questions: Candidates answer two to three questions on a topic, supported by prompts for each question.
Task 3: Arguing a case: Candidates are given the context for a controversial issue, as well as points for each side. They are expected to choose one side and argue their case effectively.
Speaking section duration: 8 min. (approx.)
The first three sections (Listening, RUL, and Writing) constitute the written part of the exam and are administered on the same day. The fourth part, the speaking test is administered on a different date, preceding or following the written section.
All ALCE C1-C2 candidates, whether registered individually or through language schools, can take the exam for a fee of €195. Candidates whose overall score (final score) does not correspond to C2 level requirements, are entitled to one free retake within one year, at no additional charge.
Any Language Schools who wish, may register their students for the ALCE C1-C2 exam at no cost. Students whose overall score (final score) does not correspond to C1 and/or C2 level requirements, are not eligible for a free retake. Students whose overall score (final score) corresponds to C1 or C2 level requirements, can obtain their certificates for a fee of €195 within 30 calendar days of the results announcement. After this period, certificates will be available for a fee of €295.
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The ALCE Scoring Guide is available here.
The Hellenic American University ALCE C1-C2 examination is scored using an advanced mathematical model, Item Response Theory (IRT). IRT scores are not the same as raw scores or percentage scores, but there may be a high correlation between the number of correct answers and the IRT scores. The ALCE C1-C2 examination is scored using aggregate scoring.
For each section of the examination, raw scores are converted into scaled scores ranging from 25 – 100. Scaled scores allow each administration of the examination to be equated, ensuring that the ability required to pass or to achieve a high score remains the same from one administration to the next.
The ALCE™ is a multi-level examination with scores equated to the C1 and C2 levels.
The Listening Section and the Reading & Use of Language (RUL) Section
For each section of the examination, raw scores are converted into scaled scores ranging from 25 – 100. Scaled scores allow each administration of the examination to be equated, ensuring that the ability required to pass or to achieve a high score remains the same from one administration to the next.
To pass the Listening or RUL section at C1 level, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 55 on a scale of 25 – 100 for that section. Candidates preparing for the exam should aim for a minimum raw score of at least 12 out of 30 for the Listening section and 21 out of 50 for the RUL section to have a good chance of passing each section.
For C2 level, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 74 on a scale of 25 – 100 for that section. Candidates preparing for the exam should aim for a minimum raw score of at least 16 out of 30 for the Listening section and 27 out of 50 for the RUL section to have a good chance of passing each section.
Please note that this is a guide only and cannot guarantee a specific score on the exam.
|
Level |
Listening Score: Number of correct answers out of 30 |
RUL Score: Number of correct answers out of 50 |
Description |
|
C2 |
22 - 30 |
37-50 |
You are highly likely to achieve a pass at C2 level |
|
16-21 |
27-36 |
You are likely to achieve a pass at C2 level |
|
|
C1 |
12-15 |
21-26 |
You are likely to achieve a pass at C1 level, and you are approaching the level required for C2 |
|
Below C1 |
9-11 |
17-20 |
You are approaching the level required for C1 |
|
0-8 |
0-16 |
You will need to do a lot more practice to pass this section at C1 level |
Writing Section
For the Writing Section, the difficulty of the task as well as the leniency and/or severity of the raters have been incorporated in the scaled scores. The Writing Section is scored out of a total of 15 marks. There are three criteria: Task Completion, Organization, and Linguistic Resources. Each criterion provides between one and five marks. To pass the Writing Section of the ALCE™ examination at C1 level, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 55 out of 100, approximately equivalent to a raw score of 8 out of 15. To achieve a pass at C2 level, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 74 out of 100, approximately equivalent to a raw score of 11 out of 15.
Speaking Section
For the Speaking Section, the difficulty of the task as well as the leniency and/or severity of the raters have been incorporated in the scaled scores. The Speaking Section is scored out of a total of 15 marks. There are three criteria: Task Completion, Fluency and Interaction, and Linguistic Resources. Each criterion provides between one and five marks. To pass the Speaking section of the ALCE™ examination at C1 level, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 55 out of 100, approximately equivalent to a raw score of 8 out of 15. To achieve a pass at C2 level, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 74 out of 100, approximately equivalent to a raw score of 11 out of 15.
Cut scores
The cut scores for each section of the ALCE™ examination have been determined through standard setting procedures, as laid out in the Council of Europe manual: ‘Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR): A Manual’ (2009).
Applying a mixed standard setting strategy, candidates who achieve an averaged total scaled score of at least 55 on a scale of 25-100 are awarded a certificate at C1 level. Candidates who achieve 74 on a scale of 25-100 are awarded a certificate at C2 level.
The ALCE™ certificate is valid for the holder’s lifetime, with the proviso for test users that a candidate’s language ability may improve or deteriorate in relation to their contact with the language.
SECTION SCALED SCORES
The table below shows the minimum scaled pass scores candidates need to pass each section of the ALCE™ examination at C1 level and at C2 level, and the minimum total average scaled score candidates need to receive a C1 or a C2 level certificate.
|
Section |
Minimum scaled |
Minimum scaled |
|
Listening |
55 |
74 |
|
RUL |
55 |
74 |
|
Writing |
55 |
74 |
|
Speaking |
55 |
74 |
|
Total Average Scaled Score |
55 |
74 |
Candidates who achieve an averaged total scaled score of at least 55 on a scale of 25-100 are awarded an ALCE™ certificate at C1 level, even though they may have failed one or more sections. Candidates who achieve an averaged overall scaled score of at least 74 on a scale of 25-100 are awarded an ALCE™ certificate at C2 level, even though they may have lower scaled scores in one or more sections. However, candidates who fail to reach C1 level in any section cannot receive a certificate at C2 level. All candidates have the right to have any section of their examination re-scored.
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Exam results are made available through Orfeas approximately six weeks after the completion of the exam period.
Language schools and individual candidates can access their results by logging into their accounts on Orfeas.
Candidates who wish to access their results but did not register as individuals through Orfeas should "Register" as new users after 2:00 PM on the day following the announcement of the results. From the menu, they should select the "Exam Results" field and fill in the required information to gain access to their score reports.
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