C2 | Proficiency

C2, also called Proficiency, is the highest level on the CEFR scale. Reaching this level means you can understand and produce English with near-native command — not just accurately, but with nuance, precision, and ease across virtually any context.

What C2 looks like in practice

At this level, you are expected to:

• Understand with ease virtually everything you hear or read, including abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial material.
• Express yourself spontaneously and precisely, choosing words that capture finer shades of meaning — even in unfamiliar or high-pressure situations.
• Produce clear, well-structured text on complex subjects, with controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
• Recognize implicit meaning in demanding, longer texts — picking up on irony, understatement, and unstated assumptions.
• Communicate fluently without noticeable searching for expressions, adapting your register naturally to academic, professional, or informal settings.

How C2 differs from C1

While a C1-level user handles complex language competently, a C2 user does so effortlessly and with subtlety. The difference often shows up in:

• Idiomatic range — C2 users draw on a full repertoire of idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms, and cultural references.
• Precision under pressure — they can reformulate, hedge, or sharpen their point in real time without losing fluency.
• Writing sophistication — their texts read as polished and naturally organized, not just grammatically correct.

In short, C2 is less about learning new grammar rules and more about mastering the flexible, context-sensitive use of everything you already know.

Test your level

If you think you're approaching C2, try one of these challenges to check:

• CEFR C1/Advanced – check if this is your English grammar mastery level
• Pass the Test to Determine Your English CEFR Level

C1 | Advanced

C1 is the fifth of six levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), sitting between B2 (Upper-Intermediate) and C2 (Proficiency). It's classified as Advanced — the stage where you stop translating in your head and start thinking in English.

What a C1 user can do

At this level, you're expected to handle complex, demanding language across a wide range of situations:

• Reading — You can understand long, complex texts, including specialized articles and technical instructions outside your own field. You pick up on implicit meaning, not just what's stated directly.
• Speaking — You express yourself fluently and spontaneously with minimal searching for words. You use language flexibly for social, academic, and professional purposes.
• Writing — You produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, with controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
• Listening — You follow extended speech even when it isn't clearly structured or when relationships between ideas are only implied.

What C1 grammar looks like

C1-level grammar goes well beyond accuracy with tenses and articles. You're expected to use advanced structures naturally, including:

• Inversion for emphasis (Rarely have I seen such dedication.)
• Mixed and advanced conditionals (Had she known, she would never have agreed.)
• Subjunctive forms in formal contexts (It's essential that he be informed.)
• Cleft sentences for focus (What concerns me is the timeline.)
• Complex noun phrases and nominalization (The government's repeated failure to act…)

The difference between B2 and C1 isn't just knowing these structures exist — it's using them appropriately and with control across different registers.

Self-check: If you can read an opinion piece in The Guardian or The Economist and follow the argument without a dictionary, and if you can write a structured response disagreeing with it, you're likely operating at C1.

How C1 fits in the CEFR scale

The CEFR has six levels: A1 → A2 → B1 → B2 → C1 → C2. C1 is where most universities and professional bodies set their language requirements for non-native speakers.

Ready to test yourself? Try Pass the Test to Determine Your English CEFR Level or go straight to the C1/C2-level test. You can also practice key C1 structures like Inversion and Conditional Subjunctive.

Difficulty: Hard

Hard difficulty. Difficulty levels represent author's opinion about how hard a question or challenge is.