Overview
ECL (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages) is a language examination system founded in 1992 by several EU member states. Each language is overseen by universities and language institutes in the relevant countries. The exams are aligned with the CEFR. The Foreign Language Centre of the University of Pecs in Hungary coordinates the international exam centre.
Languages and levels
ECL exams are offered in Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak and Spanish. The levels are A2, B1, B2 and C1. Not every language is offered at every level in every period; the exam dates page lists what is available.
Who can apply
Anyone who turns 14 during the calendar year of the exam can register.
Exam pattern
The exam has four modules: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. You can take a complex exam covering all four, or a modular exam in which you take skills separately in any combination.
Reading, Writing and Listening start at the same time at all exam sites on the set date. Reading and Writing come first, then Listening.
Speaking is held on the same day or within two weeks in the same exam period, on a schedule set by the exam site. Candidates take it in pairs, with two examiners.
Task types differ by language and level; use the sample tests for your own language.
Marking and results
Each module is worth a maximum of 25 points.
| Module | How it is scored |
|---|---|
| Reading | 20 items at 1.25 points each, no partial credit |
| Listening | 20 items at 1.25 points each, no partial credit |
| Writing | Two assessors score five criteria from 0 to 5; the average counts |
| Speaking | Two examiners score five criteria from 0 to 5, then agree a final score |
The criteria for writing are formal accuracy, written accuracy, vocabulary, style and communicative effectiveness. Speaking uses the same set except that written accuracy is replaced by oral accuracy.
Passing rule for exams from August 2026: you need at least 60 percent in each module. If you pass only some modules of a complex exam, you receive a certificate for those modules, and if you pass all four within one year (counted from the first exam), you can request a complex certificate.
The 60 percent rule and the combined certificate apply only to exams taken from August 2026. Exams taken before that date follow the earlier regulation, which the sources reviewed do not describe.
Important dates
There are six exam periods a year, and the languages and levels on offer differ by period. The site lists these upcoming periods.
| Period | Reading, Writing and Listening | Registration | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 27 and 28 November 2026 | 16 September to 27 October 2026 | 23 December 2026 |
| February 2027 | 12 and 13 February 2027 | 14 December 2026 to 7 January 2027 | 11 March 2027 |
Each period also has a Speaking window, for example 25 November to 11 December 2026, with the exact slot set by the exam site. Check the exam dates page for later periods and for the languages and levels in each.
How to apply
Register through the online form on the ECL website at your chosen exam site, and send proof of payment to the site. Registration without proof of payment is invalid. The registration deadline is four weeks before the exam. Use the same personal data as on your passport. Fees are set by the exam site.
After the exam
Candidates are told their results within 30 days of the written modules. For a fee, you can review your marked materials with a language expert for 45 minutes. ECL certificates can be verified online. The required level and validity period depend on the institution that receives the certificate; check with them in advance.
Preparation tips
Use the online sample tests for your language and level.
If one skill is weak, consider the modular route and retake only that module.
Can I retake just one module?
Yes. Modules can be taken separately, and results can be combined into a complex certificate if all four are passed within one year.