Oxford Test of English scores: the 1–200 scale, what each test can certify, and the retake limits
The Oxford Test of English is Oxford University Press's online English test, certified by the University of Oxford, in four modules: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. You can take it as a full test, one module, or any combination. Listening and Reading are computer-adaptive; Speaking and Writing are marked by trained assessors.
Everything below is from OUP's Oxford Test of English pages and its help article on results for test takers, read on 29 October 2026.
The scale, and what each test can certify
Every module is scored on one scale. 1–20 is Pre-A1, 21–50 A1, 51–80 A2, 81–110 B1, 111–140 B2, 141–170 C1 and 171–200 C2.
But no test certifies the whole scale. The Oxford Test of English and the version for Schools certify A2, B1 and B2. The Oxford Test of English Advanced certifies B2 and C1. Below the bottom level you get an indicative Below A2 (or Below B2 on Advanced), not a level.
So a C1 needs the Advanced test: on the standard test, OUP's table shows nothing certified above B2. And C2 is certified by none of the three. OUP's note says only that someone scoring 170 across all four modules is likely to be able to perform at C2 level.
The overall is an average, and a retake keeps your best
Each module gives you a Module Report Card with a standardized score and a CEFR level. Take all four and you get a Certificate of Proficiency with an overall score that is the average of the four module scores, and an overall CEFR level.
That is the opposite of Aptis, where the overall level is worked out separately from the total. Here a strong module does pull up a weak one.
If you retake a module, the certificate shows the highest score you achieved. There is no paper certificate: results are only online, and an employer or university checks them through OUP's Results Verification Service. OUP says results are valid for life.
Results times
Listening and Reading: the same day. Speaking and Writing: 5 working days after the test, counted from midnight UK time after the session ends. You get an email as each module result is ready.
How often you can retake
You can retake single modules or the whole test, but each module can be taken at most 2 times in any 8 weeks and 4 times in any 12 months, and the original attempt counts.
The limits are shared across the whole suite: the Oxford Test of English, the version for Schools and Advanced. OUP's own example: take the standard test twice and the Schools test twice in 12 months, and you cannot sit any test in the suite, Advanced included, until 12 months after your first test date.
For how this test sits beside IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo and TOEIC, see our comparison, and for Cambridge's scale, the Cambridge English Scale.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Booking the standard Oxford Test of English for a C1.
Booking the Oxford Test of English Advanced.
The standard test and the Schools version certify A2 to B2; Advanced certifies B2 and C1.
Switching to the Schools or Advanced test to get around the retake limit.
Counting every module attempt across the suite.
OUP applies the 2-in-8-weeks and 4-in-12-months limits across all three tests.
Questions
What Oxford Test of English score is B2?
111 to 140. B1 is 81 to 110 and C1 is 141 to 170, on the scale OUP uses for every module.
Can the Oxford Test of English give C1?
The standard test and the Schools version certify A2, B1 and B2. For C1 you need the Oxford Test of English Advanced, which certifies B2 and C1.
How is the overall Oxford Test of English score calculated?
It is the average of the four module scores. If you retake a module, the certificate shows your highest score.
Do Oxford Test of English results expire?
OUP says results are valid for life. They are online only and are checked through its Results Verification Service.
How many times can I retake a module?
Up to 2 times in any 8 weeks and 4 times in any 12 months, counting the original attempt, across the standard, Schools and Advanced tests together.
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