CertACLES Digital Powered by Cambridge logo

Introducing CertAcles Digital

An exam created by and for the university, which responds to the certification needs within the academic field.

CertAcles Digital is a computer-based test of all four English skills; Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening. It is widely accepted across Spain as proof of English proficiency from B1 to C1 on the CEFR for: 

  • university admission 
  • graduation 
  • Erasmus programmes.  

The Reading and Listening modules are built on research by assessment experts from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. 

 

Why use the test?

Decorative icon: CEFR

Aligned to international standards

Tests from B1 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Decorative icon: Monitor

Online and modular

A fully computer based experience taken on a computer.

Decorative icon: Modules

Single module retakes

Candidates will be able to retake modules individually if they wish to improve their overall score.

Decorative icon: Learner support

Learner support

Official sample tests will be available to help candidates prepare for the test. 

Decorative icon: 4 skills

A four skills test

Tests all four language skills: Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening

Decorative icon: Adaptive

Adaptive

In the reading and listening modules, the difficulty level changes depending on whether the previous question is answered correctly or incorrectly.

Decorative icon: Support

Training support

A dedicated Support Site will provide step-by-step instructions and guidance to assist with successfully administering the reading and listening Test.

Decorative icon: Inclusive

Inclusive

Access arrangements are available.

 

About the Test

How Does It Work? 

  • Students first complete the Reading/Listening skills module and receive their score.

  • Then, they choose whether to take Speaking/Writing at B1/B2 or B2/C1 level. 

What’s in the Reading module? 

Length 40 mins Approx
Maximum Test Length 59 mins
Number of questions Variable


Try Reading sample test

Types of questions – Reading tasks

The Reading module is adaptive, so there is not a fixed number of questions. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better and select an appropriate next task for the candidate’s performance at that point in the test. The test ends once the candidate has answered enough questions to accurately identify their level. 

One-question multiple choice  Candidates read a notice, label, text message or email containing a short text and choose the sentence or phrase that most closely matches the meaning of the text. There are three possible answers. 
One-question multiple-choice gap-fill  Candidates read a sentence with a missing word (gap) and choose the correct word to fill the gap. There are three or four choices for each gap. 
Five-question multiple-choice gap-fill Candidates choose the right word or phrase to fill the gaps in a text. There are three or four choices for each gap.
Five-question open gap-fill Candidates read a short text in which there are some missing words (gaps) and write the missing word in each gap. 
Five-question multiple choice  Candidates read a longer text and answer five multiple-choice questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text. 
Two-question multiple choice Candidates read a text and answer two multiple-choice questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text. 
Missing paragraph text completion  Candidates read a text from which five sections have been removed and fill each gap by choosing the appropriate paragraph from six options. 
Missing sentence text completion Candidates read a text from which five sentences have been removed and fill each gap by choosing the appropriate sentence from eight options. 
Multiple text matching Candidates read across four texts in order to find the relevant information to match to prompts or questions. 

 

What’s in the Listening module? 

Length 40 mins Approx
Maximum Test Length 59 mins
Number of questions Variable


Try Listening sample test

 

Types of questions – Listening tasks

 

The Listening module is adaptive, so there is not a fixed number of questions. Each question the candidate answers helps the computer to understand their level better and select an appropriate next task for the candidate’s performance at that point in the test.The test ends once the candidate has answered enough questions to accurately identify their level.

One-question multiple choice Candidates listen to a short audio recording and answer a multiple-choice question with three options. 
Five-question multiple choice Candidates listen to a longer recording and answer five multiple-choice questions based on it. The questions are in the same order as the information they hear in the recording.
Two-question multiple choice Candidates listen to a recording and answer two multiple-choice questions based on it. The questions are in the same order as the information they hear in the recording. 
Sentence completion  Candidates listen to a recording with one speaker and complete five sentences with no more than three words typed in each space. 
One-task multiple matching  Candidates listen to five monologues from different speakers and answer a single question for each of them, choosing from eight options. 
Two-task multiple matching  Candidates listen to three monologues from three different speakers and answer two questions for each of them, choosing from five options.

 


What’s in the Speaking module?  

Length

B1/B2 11-14 min (preparation time: 15 min) 

B2/C1 13-16 min. (preparation time: 15 minutes)
Number of questions Two tasks based on two authentic scenarios 

 

Try the Speaking sample test

Try the Speaking sample test

Types of questions – Speacking tasks

The Speaking Module has been designed to let you interact as you would in real life, you will talk about information you read and listen to.  

Scenario 1 – Reading into Speaking Candidates prepare the task by reading the inputs provided and then answer two questions about them.
Scenario 2 – Listening into speaking
 Candidates listen to an audio recording and then answer to the questions provided. 

 


What’s in the Writing module?  

Length

B1/B2 70 minutes approx. 

B2/C1 70 minutes approx.
Number of questions Two tasks based on two authentic scenarios 

 

Try the Writing sample test

Try the Writing sample test

Types of questions

The Writing Module has been designed to let you interact as you would in real life, you will be asked to write short texts based on information you read and listen to.

 

Scenario 1 – Listening into writing  Candidates prepare the task by listening to an audio recording to write a text that integrates the information in the inputs. 
B1/B1 (180-200 words) 
B2/C1 (200-250 words
Scenario 2 – Reading into writing 
 Candidates read different input texts to write a text integrating the information read.  
B1/B1 (100-120 words) 
B2/C1 (120-140 words) 

 


Where can I take CertAcles Digital?

Escuela Superior de Arte y Diseño Andaluza Centro de Lenguas de ESADA🔗
Universidad de Almería Centro de Lenguas🔗
Universidad de Cádiz Centro Superior de Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad de Córdoba UCOIdiomas🔗
Universidad de Granada Centro de Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad de Huelva Servicio de Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad de Jaén Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad de Sevilla Instituto de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Pablo de Olavide Servicio de idiomas 🔗

Universidad de Zaragoza Centro Universitario de Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad San Jorge Institute of Modern Languages🔗

 

Universidad de La Laguna Servicio de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Tecnológica de Islas Canarias Escuela de Idiomas🔗

 

Universidad de Cantabria Centro de Idiomas🔗

 

Universidad de Burgos Centro de Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad de León Centro de Idiomas🔗
Universidad de Salamanca Servicio Central de Idiomas🔗
Universidad de Valladolid Centro de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes Centro de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Isabel I de Burgos Escuela de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca Idiomas Modernos🔗

 

Universidad Castilla-La Mancha Centro de Lenguas🔗

 

Universitat Abat Oliba CEU Servei de Llengües🔗
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Servei de Llengües🔗
Universitat de Barcelona Escola d'Idiomes Moderns🔗
Universitat de Girona Servei de Llengües Modernes🔗
Universitat de Lleida Institut de Llengües🔗
Universitat de Vic Escola d'Idiomes🔗
Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Institute for Multilingualism🔗
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Centro de Idiomas Modernos🔗
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Servei de Llengües i Terminologia🔗
Universitat Pompeu Fabra Idiomes UPF🔗
Universitat Ramon Llull ESADE Language Center🔗
Universitat Rovira i Virgili Servei Llingüístic🔗

 

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid  Servicio de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Camilo José Cela Instituto de Idiomas LanguageLab🔗
Universidad Complutense de Madrid CCEE Centro Complutense para la Enseñanza de Español🔗
Universidad Complutense de Madrid CSIM Centro Superior de Idiomas Modernos🔗
Universidad de Alcalá Centro de Lenguas Extranjeras🔗
Universidad Europea de Madrid Language Center🔗
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria Centro de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Nebrija Instituto de Lenguas Modernas🔗
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Centro de Lenguas de la UPM🔗
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Centro Universitario de Idiomas🔗
Universidad San Pablo CEU Centro de Idiomas🔗

 

Universidad de Navarra Instituto de Idiomas🔗

 

FLORIDA UNIVERSITÀRIA Florida Idiomas🔗
Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU Servicio de Idiomas🔗
Universidad de Alicante Centro Superior de Idiomas🔗
Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche Unidad de Apoyo Lingüístico🔗
Universitat de València Centre d'Idiomes🔗
Universitat Jaume I Servei de Llengües i Terminologia🔗
Universitat Politècnica de València Centro de Lenguas🔗
Valencian International University Servicio de Lenguas🔗

 

Universidade da Coruña Centro de Linguas🔗
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Centro de Linguas Modernas🔗
Universidade de Vigo Centro de Linguas🔗

 

Universitat de les Illes Balears Servei Lingüístic🔗

 

Universidad de La Rioja La Casa de las Lenguas🔗
Universidad Internacional de La Rioja Escuela de Idiomas🔗

 

Universidad de Deusto Instituto de Idiomas🔗

 

Universidad de Oviedo La Casa de las Lenguas🔗

 

Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia Escuela Superior de Idiomas🔗
Universidad de Murcia Servicio de Idiomas🔗

 

Who recognises CertAcles Digital?

See the latest recognising organisations here

Contact Us

ACLES logo
Association of Language Centers in Higher Education, aimed at promoting the learning and dissemination of different languages in Higher Education.
You can contact us at: : administracion@acles.es
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