The Examination for the Certificate in Competency in English (ECCE) is a high-intermediate level English language qualification that focuses on Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is developed by

CaMLA Michigan Language Assessment (MLA), also known as the Cambridge–Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) and previously the "English Language Institute Testing and Certification Division at the University of Michigan", has been providing English l ...

, a not-for-profit collaboration between the

University of Michigan , mottoeng = "Arts, Knowledge, Truth" , former_names = Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania (1817–1821) , budget = $10.3 billion (2021) , endowment = $17 billion (2021)As o ...

and the

University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

. The exam has been in use since 1994, but is regularly updated to ensure it reflects current research in language teaching and assessment. The ECCE is taken by school-aged and adult learners living in countries where the common language is not English. It is used as official documentary evidence of English language competency and it is ranked at B2 level and is accepted by universities, governments and employers all over the world. The exam has four test sections, which test the four key language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Test format

The ECCE is a paper-and pencil test, with the following test sections: The texts and tasks in the exam reflect a range of personal, public, occupational and educational situations that they might encounter in real-life. The topics are designed to be accessible to all ages and test takers do not require specialized knowledge or experience to complete the test. A new test form is developed each time the exam is administered.

Scoring

Test takers receive a CaMLA Examination Report, which has the following information: * A score for each section (0–1,000), with a brief description of the test taker's performance * An overall result (Honors/Pass/Fail), which is calculated by averaging the scores received for each section. The following scores are needed to achieve a Honors/Pass/Fail result: Test takers who achieve an overall score of 650 or higher are awarded the ECCE Certificate. Test takers who achieve a score of 840 or higher in all four sections are awarded a Certificate of Competency with Honors. The ECCE Certificate is recognized at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Test takers are given a numeric score for each section of the test so they can see the areas in which they have done well and the areas in which they need to improve. An ECCE qualification is valid for life. However, language ability changes over time, therefore, organizations are advised to consider a test taker's experience with English since they took the test in addition to their test scores.

Usage

The ECCE is used as official documentary evidence of English language proficiency. It is accepted by universities, governments and employers in many countries around the world, including: * Albania (e.g. Ministry of Education and Science) * Argentina (e.g. Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA)) * Bolivia (e.g. Centro Boliviano Americano Fundación Cultural y Educativa) * Brazil (e.g.

Banco do Brasil Banco do Brasil S.A. ( en, Bank of Brazil) is a Brazilian financial services company headquartered in Brasília, Brazil. The oldest bank in Brazil, and among the oldest banks in continuous operation in the world, it was founded by John VI, King ...

) * Chile (e.g. Universidad Tecnológica de Chile (INACAP)) * Colombia (e.g. Ministry of National Education) * Finland (e.g.

University of Helsinki The University of Helsinki ( fi, Helsingin yliopisto, sv, Helsingfors universitet, abbreviated UH) is a public research university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but founded in the city of Turku (in Swedish ''Åbo'') in 1640 as the ...

Erasmus Exchange) * France (e.g. L’université François-Rabelais de Tours) * Greece (e.g. Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection) * Iran (e.g. Soroor Language Institute) * Italy (e.g.

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italian: ''Libera Università di Bolzano'', German: ''Freie Universität Bozen'', Ladin: ''Università Liedia de Bulsan'') is a university primarily located in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. It was founded ...

) * Jordan (e.g.

Princess Sumaya University for Technology Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), established in 1991, is a specialized, Non-governmental, Non-profit, Jordanian university, owned by the leading applied research centre in Jordan, the Royal Scientific Society (RSS). PSUT's area ...

) * Malaysia (e.g. Lincoln University College) * Mexico (e.g. Mexican Ministry of Education)) * Peru (e.g.

University of Lima The University of Lima ( es, Universidad de Lima) is a private nonprofit university in Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1962 and it is considered one of the most prestigious and remembered universities in Peru. The decision to create the Universi ...

) * Romania (e.g. Ministry of Education and Scientific Research) * Spain (e.g.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid The Autonomous University of Madrid ( es, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; UAM), commonly known as simply la Autónoma, is a Spanish public university located in Madrid, Spain. The university was founded in 1968 alongside the Autonomous Universi ...

) * United States (e.g.

DeVry University DeVry University () is a private for-profit university with its headquarters in Naperville, Illinois. It was founded in 1931 by Herman A. DeVry and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. DeVry is predominantly an online educator but ...

, Keller School of International Management) * Uruguay (e.g. Instituto de Profesores Artigas (IPA)). In 2014, the ECCE was used by test takers with 36 different first language backgrounds (the largest being

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

and

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

). It is mainly taken by secondary school-aged learners:ECCE 2014 Report, https://www.cambridgemichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ECCE-2014-Report.pdf Accessed 26 September 2015

Preparation

Free practice tests, answer keys and student instructions are available on th
official website
along with links to other practice materials.

References

External links