Which Cambridge exam for which grade, 5 to 12: A2 Key, B1, B2 or C1, when to sit it and which deadline it serves for high school admission and the bac.
As a guide by grade: A2 Key for Schools in grades 5–7, B1 Preliminary for Schools in grades 7–9, B2 First for Schools in grades 9–11 and C1 Advanced in grades 11–12. For Romanian high school admission (intensive or bilingual classes), a certificate of at least A2 Key, grade C, taken in grades 5–8 counts. For the bac, the minimum is B1 Preliminary, grade C, with the certificate in hand before bac registration. The right exam depends on the child's actual level, not their grade.
The list below shows the typical exam for each grade, when to sit it and which Romanian deadline it serves. It is a guide based on the usual level of students at that age. A stronger student can skip a level, and one who needs more time can sit the same exam a year later.
For intensive or bilingual English classes, a Cambridge certificate of at least A2 Key or A2 Key for Schools, passed with grade C or better and taken in grades 5–8, can count as a 10 on the language test. Higher levels are accepted too: B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency.
Paper-based and computer-based exams are recognised the same way. In 2026, the language tests ran on 18–22 May, and documents for recognising international certificates were due at the student's current school by 25 May. The calendar changes every year, so check the exact date with the high school and with your child's school.
Sit the exam at least two months before the document deadline. Cambridge results appear online about 2–3 weeks after a computer-based exam and 4–6 weeks after a paper-based one, and the printed certificate comes later. The margin also leaves room for another attempt.
At least B1 Preliminary or B1 Preliminary for Schools, passed with grade C or better. Since the 2023 sessions, A2 Key is no longer accepted for the bac, and "extended" results are no longer recognised: for B2 you sit B2 First, for C1 you sit C1 Advanced.
Exam centres state that a Cambridge certificate has no expiry for the bac, so a B1 Preliminary passed in grade 9 can be used in grade 12. The steps, orders and score tables are in the guide to bac English equivalence with a Cambridge certificate. What 140, 160 or 180 points and grades A, B, C mean is in the guide to Cambridge English Scale scores.
For university, the usual target is C1 Advanced, sometimes B2 First, depending on the programme. Universities set their own list of certificates and minimum scores, so check the exact requirements of the chosen faculty before picking the exam.
For universities abroad, also check whether they ask for a recent certificate. "Valid for life" is true for the bac, but not necessarily for every university. That is why C1 Advanced is usually taken in grade 11 or 12.
Start from the child's actual level, not their grade. Cambridge suggests an online level test and comparing the result with the CEFR levels (A2, B1, B2, C1). A teacher who works with the exam formats can also tell you how far the next level is.
At Pathway English School, classes are online, in small groups of 6–8 students of the same level, with Cambridge exam preparation, Cambridge-certified lecturers and monthly progress reports. The free trial lesson is a good moment to see where your child is. Book the free trial lesson.
As a guide: A2 Key for Schools in grades 5–7, B1 Preliminary for Schools in grades 7–9, B2 First for Schools in grades 9–11 and C1 Advanced in grades 11–12. The right exam depends on the child's actual level, not the grade.
At least A2 Key or A2 Key for Schools, passed with grade C or better and taken in grades 5–8. Such a certificate can count as a 10 on the language test for intensive or bilingual classes.
The result has to be in before the document deadline. In 2026 that was 25 May. Results arrive about 2–3 weeks after a computer-based exam and 4–6 weeks after a paper-based one, so a session in grade 7 or early grade 8 is the safest choice.
At least B1 Preliminary or B1 Preliminary for Schools, passed with grade C or better. A2 Key is no longer accepted. The bac recognises the level of the exam taken, so for B2 you sit B2 First.
No. Exam centres state that Cambridge certificates have no expiry for the bac, so a B1 Preliminary passed in grade 9 can be used in grade 12. Some universities abroad may still ask for a recent certificate.
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