What is the Cambridge English Scale?

It is a single numeric scale, running from 80 to 230, used to report results across all Cambridge English exams. Each exam covers a slice of the scale, so a B2 First score of 180 and a C1 Advanced score of 180 sit at the same point and mean comparable ability, which makes results easy to compare across exams.

What grades can each Cambridge exam award?

Each exam awards Grade A, B, or C as a pass, plus a Level below the target where you still get a certificate at the next CEFR level down. For B2 First, Grade A is reported as C1; for C1 Advanced, Grade A is reported as C2; and a score below the pass band earns a certificate at the level beneath the exam's target.

How do Cambridge grades map to CEFR?

Each exam targets one CEFR level: B2 First targets B2, C1 Advanced targets C1, and C2 Proficiency targets C2. Scoring at the top of an exam's range can certify the level above, while a score just below the pass band certifies the level below, so the exact score matters, not just the exam name.

What score do I need to pass?

On the Cambridge Scale, B2 First passes from 160 with Grade C at 173, C1 Advanced passes from 180 with Grade C at 180, and C2 Proficiency passes from 200 with Grade C at 200. Distinction and Merit grades sit in higher bands within each exam, which this tool shows for your specific score.

Do Cambridge certificates expire?

The certificates themselves do not have an expiry date and are valid for life. However, some universities and employers prefer a result from the last two years as evidence of current ability, so check the policy of the organisation you are applying to.

What is the Cambridge B2/C1/C2 Score Guide?

Enter your Cambridge English exam score (160-230 Cambridge Scale) to identify your CEFR level (B2/C1/C2) and grade (Pass/Pass with Merit/Pass with Distinction) under the current marking scheme. Runs in your browser. It runs free in your browser on Gera Tools, with nothing uploaded.

Cambridge B2/C1/C2 Score Guide

Name: Cambridge B2/C1/C2 Score Guide
Creator: Gera Tools
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Cambridge English exams report results on the unified Cambridge English Scale, a single number from 160 to 230 for the B2, C1, and C2 exams. Because the scale is shared, the same number means the same ability regardless of which exam you sat. This guide turns your score into the grade and CEFR level it certifies.

How the Cambridge English Scale works

Each exam targets one CEFR level and carves out a slice of the scale. The tool stores the official grade bands for B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency and looks up where your score falls. Within an exam you can earn Grade A, B, or C as a pass, and the bands also certify the level above or below the target.

The grade-to-CEFR mapping works like this:

Exam	Grade C (pass)	Grade B	Grade A	Below pass
B2 First	B2	B2	C1	B1 certificate
C1 Advanced	C1	C1	C2	B2 certificate
C2 Proficiency	C2	C2	C2	C1 certificate

A Grade A on B2 First (180 and above) certifies C1 even though the exam targets B2. A score in the 160–172 range still earns a B1 certificate. This is why the precise number matters, not just the exam name: two candidates who both passed C1 Advanced may hold different CEFR certifications if one scored a Grade A into C2 territory and the other a Grade C at the bottom of the band.

Grade boundaries at a glance

The approximate Cambridge Scale boundaries by exam are:

B2 First: below 160 = no certificate; 160–172 = B1; 173–179 = Grade C (B2); 180–192 = Grade B (B2); 193+ = Grade A (C1)
C1 Advanced: below 160 = no certificate; 160–179 = B2; 180–192 = Grade C (C1); 193–199 = Grade B (C1); 200+ = Grade A (C2)
C2 Proficiency: below 180 = no certificate; 180–199 = C1; 200–212 = Grade C (C2); 213–219 = Grade B (C2); 220+ = Grade A (C2)

The exact published bands may be adjusted by Cambridge, so always confirm against your official Statement of Results.

Reading your result strategically

If you are targeting a CEFR level for a university admissions requirement or a visa, there are two things worth knowing. First, many institutions specify not only the level but the grade — for example requiring C1 Advanced Grade B rather than just a C1 certificate. A Grade C pass meets the letter of “C1” but may not satisfy a “Grade B or above” clause. Second, the margin matters: aiming for 190+ on C1 Advanced gives you Grade B headroom rather than a Grade C borderline.

Cambridge certificates have lifetime validity but many universities and employers prefer results from within the last two years, so plan your test date around the application deadline rather than sitting too far in advance.

When to use each exam

If you are unsure which exam to register for, the scale’s overlap helps. A strong B2 candidate (expecting a B2 First score above 185) might instead sit C1 Advanced and see whether they can clear the C1 pass band. Conversely, a candidate uncertain of their level can sit B2 First and still walk away with a B1 certificate if they fall short. The shared scale makes the strategy transparent.