Arabic has no worldwide standard test
For English, universities around the world ask for tests such as the TOEFL. Arabic has no test with a comparable status. Universities, employers and authorities decide for themselves which proof they accept.
Two certificates follow the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference with six levels from A1 to C2. CIMA from the Institut du monde arabe in Paris tests Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) at all six levels. telc gGmbH, a non-profit exam provider owned by the German adult education association, tests Arabic at B1.
Besides these two certificates, three alternatives exist.
- Government ratings: US agencies rate Arabic on the ILR scale, and many US employers and universities use ACTFL proficiency ratings.
- School qualifications: In the UK, Pearson Edexcel offers GCSE and A level qualifications in Arabic.
- Course records and interviews: For spoken dialects there are hardly any recognised certificates, so employers rely on course records and a speaking test during the interview.
Ask the body that wants proof, in writing, for the exact exam and the minimum level. For Arabic the answer is less predictable than for English or French.
CIMA, telc, ILR and school exams compared
Proof of Arabic differs by issuer, levels and purpose. The table shows the four forms that learners meet most often.
| Proof | Issuer | Levels | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIMA | Institut du monde arabe, Paris | A1 to C2 in one exam | jobs, study, checking your level |
| telc Arabic B1 | telc gGmbH, Germany | B1 | job applications, training |
| ILR rating | US government agencies | 0 to 5 with plus levels | US federal jobs |
| GCSE and A level Arabic | Pearson Edexcel, UK | school grades | school leaving, university entry |
CIMA works like a score-based test. A score-based test covers all levels in one sitting, and every candidate receives the level they reach. Anyone who reaches at least A1 gets a certificate. telc Arabic B1 is a level exam, which tests exactly one level and which you either pass or fail.
CIMA is recognised by ALTE, the Association of Language Testers in Europe. According to the institute, about 91 percent of candidates in 2025 obtained a certificate.
The ILR scale of the Interagency Language Roundtable runs from 0 to 5, with plus levels such as 2+ for skills that clearly exceed one level without fully reaching the next.
Which Arabic exam fits which goal
The right exam follows from your goal. The information from the university or employer always takes priority.
| Your goal | Suitable proof | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Job application with MSA | CIMA | level that matches the job, often B2 or higher |
| US federal job | ILR rating from the agency | the ILR level in the job advert |
| Study in an Arab country | CIMA or the university's own test | ask about recognition first |
| Arabic studies degree | the university's own exams | no external certificate needed |
| Work in a dialect | course record and interview | name the dialect on the record |
If you need no formal proof, use CIMA as a progress check. After a year of study it shows which CEFR level you reached in listening, reading, writing and speaking, and it gives you an intermediate goal on the long road to professional level.
CIMA in 4 parts and about 3 hours
CIMA (Certificat international de maîtrise en langue arabe) tests Modern Standard Arabic only, the shared written language of the Arab countries. Candidates must be at least 15.
| Part | Duration | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 60 minutes | multiple choice |
| Reading | 50 minutes | multiple choice |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 3 tasks |
| Speaking | 11 minutes | 3 tasks |
The exam runs twice a year, in a spring and an autumn session, at nearly 100 approved centres worldwide. For the autumn 2026 session the institute lists 20 October as the registration deadline, with exams from 15 November to 15 December. Each centre sets its own fee.
You take CIMA in person at a test centre. The institute offers a 12-hour preparation course online. The speaking part lasts only 11 minutes, so every answer counts. Practise short, structured answers in MSA, even if you speak a dialect in daily life.
ILR ratings and telc Arabic B1
US government agencies test Arabic with their own interviews and report the result as an ILR level. The ILR scale of the Interagency Language Roundtable runs from 0 to 5. Job adverts for federal positions often name the ILR level they require for speaking, listening and reading.
telc Arabic B1 tests general language skills at the third of six CEFR levels. At B1 you get by in daily life without help and talk about experiences and plans. The exam has a written part with reading, language elements, listening and writing, plus a speaking test. Language elements are gap texts in which you fill in suitable words or forms.
- ✓telc certificates carry no expiry date.
- ✓An ILR rating comes straight from the employer that needs it.
- ✗telc offers no remote tests for Arabic, so you take the exam at a licensed centre.
- ✗telc covers B1 only, and higher levels need CIMA.
Online preparation for an Arabic exam
An online preparation course for Arabic must train four features that general courses often leave out.
- MSA instead of dialect: CIMA and telc mark answers in MSA. If you speak Levantine Arabic or Darija in daily life, practise the forms of the written language on purpose.
- Reading without vowel marks: Exam texts at higher levels leave out the small signs for short vowels. Practise with newspaper articles rather than textbook texts.
- Listening in news style: MSA recordings sound like radio and TV news, which makes news broadcasts the right training material.
- Writing against the clock: Practise the three CIMA writing tasks with a timer, on paper or on a computer, depending on how your centre tests.
Once you have reached the target level, 6 to 12 weeks with a few hours per week usually cover format and timing. Two full mock exams under time pressure show whether you are ready.
Frequently asked questions about online Arabic test preparation courses
Is there a standard Arabic test like the TOEFL?
Arabic has no standard test with the status of the TOEFL. The main international certificate is CIMA from the Institut du monde arabe, which tests Modern Standard Arabic at levels A1 to C2. Each university or employer decides which proof it accepts.
Which Arabic exam covers all levels from A1 to C2?
The Arabic exam that covers all levels from A1 to C2 is CIMA from the Institut du monde arabe in Paris. Every candidate receives the level they reach in one sitting. telc, by contrast, tests Arabic at B1 only.
How often is the CIMA Arabic exam held?
The CIMA Arabic exam is held twice a year, in a spring and an autumn session. The autumn 2026 session runs from 15 November to 15 December. Each test centre publishes its own dates and fees.
What is an ILR rating for Arabic?
An ILR rating for Arabic is a result on the scale of the US Interagency Language Roundtable, which runs from 0 to 5 with plus levels. US government agencies award it after their own tests. Federal job adverts often state the ILR level they require.
Does CIMA test Arabic dialects?
CIMA does not test Arabic dialects, only Modern Standard Arabic. Recognised dialect certificates hardly exist. Employers rely on course records that name the dialect and on a speaking test during the interview.
How long does preparation for an Arabic exam take?
Preparation for an Arabic exam usually takes 6 to 12 weeks if you have already reached the target level. In that time you train the format, the time limits and speaking in Modern Standard Arabic. If you are still a whole CEFR level short, Arabic takes considerably longer.
Sources
The information is based on these sources. Check fees and dates with the provider before you register.