LingardHow the Spanish test works
The entire test, including all questions and answers, is in Spanish. You’ll alternate between three types of questions: working out what a word means in its sentence, choosing the right word to complete a sentence, and saying what a short text states or implies. Each question offers four multiple-choice options.
You choose a starting level, and the test adapts from there. A strong performance on a set of three questions moves you up a level, while a weaker one moves you down. After 12 to 21 questions, the test will have enough data to determine your level. If your score falls right on the border between two levels, you’ll be assigned the lower one.
What it checks in Spanish
Early questions cover the basics you learn in your first weeks of Spanish: finding the verb ending that matches nosotros, choosing the right article, or matching a possessive to its noun. By the B1 level, you’ll need to use the subjunctive after me alegra que, know which preposition a verb takes, as in soñar con, and recognize passive constructions with se. The reading texts will also ask you to draw conclusions or identify the writer’s tone.
At the C1 and C2 levels, the test focuses on advanced connectors like de lo contrario and de ahí que, formal verbs, and essays on culture, science, and society. The assessment strictly measures reading, vocabulary, and grammar in context. It does not test speaking, listening, or writing.
What the six levels mean
- A1 · Beginners
- You can understand familiar names, common words, and very simple sentences, such as signs, notes, or short messages.
- A2 · Pre-intermediate
- You can read short, simple texts and find the information you need in everyday materials like ads, menus, timetables, and short personal letters.
- B1 · Intermediate
- You can understand texts written in everyday language about familiar subjects, as well as descriptions of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters and simple stories.
- B2 · Upper-intermediate
- You can read articles and reports on current issues where the writer takes a clear position, and you can read contemporary fiction.
- C1 · Advanced
- You can understand long, complex factual and literary texts and notice differences in style, even outside your own field.
- C2 · Proficiency
- You can read practically anything with ease, including abstract and demanding texts like specialized articles and complex literary works.
What to read at your level
You can use your test result to find the perfect reading material in Spanish. In the Lingard library, A2 features everyday dialogues and short articles. At B1, you can read retellings like Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal alongside a weekly news digest. From B2 onwards, you can explore unabridged literature, such as Horacio Quiroga’s stories or Edgar Allan Poe’s El gato negro, which runs to only about 3,600 words. Just tap a word to see its meaning and save it for your review sessions.
Questions about the test
- Is the test free?
- Yes. You don’t need an account or an email address, and you’ll see your level as soon as you finish the last question.
- How long does it take?
- The test consists of 12 to 21 questions and has no time limit. It usually takes about 12 minutes to complete.
- Is the result an official certificate?
- No. It provides an estimate of your reading level on the CEFR scale based on vocabulary, grammar in context, and reading comprehension. It doesn’t test speaking, listening, or writing, and it does not replace a formal language exam.
- Can I take it again?
- Yes, as often as you like. The questions are pulled from a larger pool, so your next attempt will not be a repeat of the first.