Cambridge Assessment English

alpha beta piccadilly is the Authorised Exam Centre in South Tyrol for the Cambridge Assessment English suite of exams. Cambridge Assessment English, a department of the renowned University of Cambridge, offers the world's leading range of certificates for learners and teachers of English - taken by over 5.5 million people in 130 countries. The exams test the students' language skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.They help people gain entrance to university or college, improve job prospects or measure progress in English. More than 25,000 employers, universities and government bodies around the world recognise Cambridge Assessment English exams. The exams are aligned to the levels (A 1 - C 2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFR as it is better known.

Paper-based or computer-based
You can take the exam either in the traditional way on paper or on a computer. In both cases, the exam takes place in person. Headphones are used for listening comprehension. There are no differences in terms of the exam format, duration and certificate.
 
The paper-based exams are held at our headquarters in Bolzano or at an external exam venue, depending on the number of participants. You write your answers in pen or pencil on the answer sheets, which are then sent to Cambridge to be marked. Results are available 6 to 9 weeks later online and you can collect your certificate from our offices around 9 to 12 weeks after the exam date.
 
The digital exams take place at our headquarters in Bolzano. You use a special programme on a laptop to do all written parts of the exam, whereas the speaking test is held face-to face. alpha beta piccadilly provides all the equipment for the exam.
You can:
  • enter and edit your answers on a laptop
  • keep track of the time with an online timer
  • use an automatic word count for writing
  • get your results just 2 weeks after the exam
  • collect your certificate from our offices around 4 weeks after the exam date
 Further information

FAQ
 
Registration for the digital exams is currently only open to individuals. Places are limited. You will find the registration forms for each level & date (see below).
 
Are you a teacher and interested in running digital exams in a computer room at your school? Contact us at cambridge@alphabeta.it

Dates and costs
In the exam calendar, you can find all the information you need regarding exam dates, registration deadlines and prices.

Enrolments
There are two options:
  1. Individual enrolments
    Full priceYou can register directly for your desired exam date. Registration forms are available for each level (see below).
  2. School students, teachers(MIUR) and University students – Reduced price
    a. If you are a student at a state or state-recognized school and have attended an exam preparation course at your school, you can benefit from the reduced price.
    The school needs to send a list of candidates along with a statement certifying the students’ attendance on the course. This must be done via an official school email address by the deadlines (see calendar) to cambridge@alphabeta.it . All other steps (payment, exam invitation, issuing of certificates, etc.) will be organized directly by our Cambridge office with the candidates or their legal guardians.
    b. School teachers (MIUR) are also entitled to receive a discount, following the same procedure as described above. No preparation course is required.
    c. Italian university students are also entitled to receive a discount. The university needs to send this form via an official university address. No preparation course is required.
 
Request for special measures
If special measures are required, the applicant must provide a medical certificate and specify exactly what they require.
 
A 2 Key (KET)
A 2 Key (KET) is at Level A 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. At A2 level, typical users can be expected to understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases, introduce themselves and answer basic questions about their personal details and interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly.

The exam is divided into three parts
- Reading and Writing (60 minutes)
- Listening (30 minutes)
- Speaking (8-10 minutes)
Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs and candidates need to demonstrate they can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions.

Further information and sample papers

We recommend attending one of our specialised preparation courses. For further information, please contact theoktisto@alphabeta.it

Dates and enrolment deadlines
See exam calendar.

Enrolment for pape-based exams 

a) Individual enrolments – Full price
Enrolment form

b) School students, teachers (MIUR) and University students - Reduced price
- Enrolment form for schools 
- Stetement of preparation course completion
- Enrolment form for Universities 

For further information contact the Cambridge office at cambridge@alphabeta.it (reachable only by email).

Enrolment for digital  exams 
Registration for the digital exams is currently only open to individuals (massimo 22 partecipants). Click here for the video tutorial.

a)  Individual enrolments – Full price
19.06.2025 enrolment form KEY for Schools (The content of these examinations is aimed at school-age candidates)
02.07.2025 enrolment form
05.12.2025 enrolment form
06.03.2026 enrolment form

b) School students, teachers (MIUR) and University students - Reduced price
- Enrolment form for schools 
- Stetement of preparation course completion
- Enrolment form for Universities 

Are you a teacher and interested in running digital exams in a computer room at your school? Contact us at cambridge@alphabeta.it

Important downloadable documents

 
B 1 Preliminary (PET)
B 1 Preliminary (PET) is at Level B 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. At B 1 level, typical users can be expected to understand the main points of straightforward instructions or public announcements, deal with most of the situations they might meet when travelling as a tourist in an English-speaking country, ask simple questions and take part in factual conversations in a work environment as well as writing letters or making notes on familiar matters.

The exam is divided into four parts
- Reading (45minutes)
- Writing (45 minutes)
- Listening (30 minutes)
- Speaking (10-12 minutes)

Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs and have to show their ability in spoken English by taking part in conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about their likes and dislikes.

further information and sample papers

We recommend attending one of our specialised preparation courses. For further information, please contact theoktisto@alphabeta.it

Dates and enrolment deadlines
See exam calendar.

Enrolment for paper-based exams
a) Individual enrolments – Full price
- Enrolment form

b) School students, teachers (MIUR) and University students - Reduced price
- Enrolment form for schools 
- Stattement of preparation course completion
- Enrolment form for universities 

 
For further information contact the Cambridge office at cambridge@alphabeta.it (reachable only by email).

Enrolment for digital exams
Registration for the digital exams is currently only open to individuals (massimo 22 partecipants). Click here for the video tutorial.
a) Individual enrolments – Full price
19.06.2025 enrolment form PET for Schools (The content of these examinations is aimed at school-age candidates)
03.07.2025 enrolment form
05.12.2025 enrolment form
06.03.2026 enrolment form
12.06.2026 enrolment form
02.07.2026 enrolment form

b) School students, teachers (MIUR) and University students - Reduced price
- Enrolment form for schools 
- Stattement of preparation course completion
- Enrolment form for universities 

Are you a teacher and interested in running digital exams in a computer room at your school? Contact us at cambridge@alphabeta.it

Important downloadable documents
B 2 First (FCE)
B 2 First (FCE) is at Level B 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. At B 2 level, typical users can be expected to understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing, keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, express opinions and present arguments, produce clear, detailed writing, express opinions and explain the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

The exam is divided into four parts
- Reading and "Use of English" (1 hour and 15 minutes)
- Writing (1 hour and 20 minutes)
- Listening (40 minutes)
- Speaking (14 minutes)
Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs and are tested on their ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidate and by themselves.

Further information and sample papers

We recommend attending one of our specialised preparation courses. For further information, please contact theoktisto@alphabeta.it

Dates and enrolment deadlines
See exam calendar.

Enrolment for paper-based exam
a) Individual enrolments – Full price
- Enrolment form
For further information contact the Cambridge office at cambridge@alphabeta.it (reachable only by email).

Enrolment for digital exam
a) Individual enrolments – Full price
Registration for the digital exams is currently only open to individuals (massimo 22 partecipants). Click here for the video tutorial.

12.09.2025 enrolment form
10.10.2025 enrolment form
07.11.2025 enrolment form
30.01.2026 enrolment form
20.03.2026 enrolment form
29.05.2026 enrolment form
26.06.2026 enrolment form
07.07.2026 enrolment form

b) School students, teachers (MIUR) and University students - Reduced price
- Enrolment form for schools 
- Statement of preparation course completion
- Enrolmento form for universities 

Are you a teacher and interested in running digital exams in a computer room at your school? Contact us at cambridge@alphabeta.it

Important downloadable documents
C 1 Advanced (CAE)
C 1 Advanced (CAE) is at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. At C 1 level, typical users can be expected to read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, understand complex opinions, produce clear, well-structured and detailed pieces of writing, express themselves well with a good degree of fluency as well as using English flexibly for social, professional and academic purposes.

The exam is divided into four parts:
- Reading and "Use of English" (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- Writing (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- Listening (40 minutes)
- Speaking (15 minutes)
Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs and are tested on their ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidate and by themselves.

Further information and sample papers

We recommend attending one of our specialised preparation courses. For further information, please contact theoktisto@alphabeta.it

Dates and enrolment deadlines
See exam calendar.

Enrolment for pape-based exam 
a) Individual enrolments – Full price
- Enrolment form

For further information contact the Cambridge office at cambridge@alphabeta.it (reachable only by email).

Enrolment for digital exam 
Registration for the digital exams is currently only open to individuals (massimo 22 partecipants). Click here for the video tutorial.

19.09.2025 enrolment form
24.10.2025 enrolment form
14.11.2025 enrolment form
19.12.2025 enrolment form
13.02.2026 enrolment form
27.03.2026 enrolment form
24.04.2026 enrolment form
22.05.2026 enrolment form
19.06.2026 enrolment form
09.07.2026 enrolment form

b) School students, teachers (MIUR) and University students – Reduced price
- Enrolment form for schools 
- Statement  of preparation course completion
- Enrolment for universities 

Are you a teacher and interested in running digital exams in a computer room at your school? Contact us at cambridge@alphabeta.it

Important downloadable documents
C 2 Proficiency (CPE)
C 2 Proficiency was the first of the Cambridge ESOL exams to be introduced. The langauge level is equivalent to a native speaker with a good educational background. Cambridge English: Proficiency is at Level C 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. At C 2 level, typical users can be expected to understand with ease virtually everything they hear and read, make accurate and complete notes during a presentation, understand colloquial asides, talk about complex and sensitive issues without awkwardness as well as expressing themselves precisely and fluently.

The exam is divided into four parts
- Reading (1 hour und 30 minutes)
- Writing (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- Listening (40 minutes)
- Speaking (16 minutes)
Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs and are tested on their ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidate and by themselves.

Further information and sample papers

We recommend attending one of our specialised preparation courses. For further information, please contact theoktisto@alphabeta.it

​Dates and enrolment deadlines
See exam calendar.

Enrolment for digital exam
a) Individual enrolments – Full price
Registration for the digital exams is currently only open to individuals (massimo 22 partecipants). Click here for the video tutorial.

24.01.2025 enrolment form
06.06.2025 enrolment form
06.05.2026 enrolment form 

Are you a teacher and interested in running digital exams in a computer room at your school? Contact us at cambridge@alphabeta.it

Important downloadable documents
Young learners:
The Cambridge Young Learners English Tests (YLE):
- are for children from 7 to 12 years old
- are child friendly in terms of content and layout
- have flexible dates
- award a certificate to every candidate

Important downloadable documents
Pre A 1 Starters
The exam is divided into three parts:
- Listening (20 minutes)
- Reading & Writing (20 minutes)
- Speaking (4 minutes)

Further information and sample papers
A 1 Movers
The exam is divided into three parts:
- Listening (28 minutes)
- Reading & Writing (30 minutes)
- Speaking (6 minutes)

Further information and sample papers
A 2 Flyers
The exam is divided into three parts:
- Listening (28 minutes)
- Reading & Writing (30 minutes)
- Speaking (6 minutes)

Further information and sample papers
Linguaskill for test takers
The accurate test of English with fast results
Linguaskill is a quick and convenient online test to help organisations check the English levels of individuals and groups of candidates. It tests all four language skills - Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening - in modules and results are aligned to international standards. Powered by patented Artificial Intelligence, the test is reliable and you will receive your results in under 48 hours.
You receive a Test Report with detailed results - aligned to the international benchmark for describing language ability, the Common European Framework of Reference – and ‘can do’ statements describing your ability. This will help you to move forward and progress.
Linguaskill is available as two options, General and Business. This gives you the ability to choose the sort of language that will be tested, based on your objectives.
 
The test is divided into three parts:
- Reading and Listening (60 – 85 minutes)
- Writing (45 minutes)
- Speaking (15 minutes)
 
Further information & sample papers

further Information: otoole@alphabeta.it

Enrolment: alpha beta piccadilly Bolzano / Bozen and Merano / Meran

Cost of test: € 150
Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT)
The Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test for Teachers:
- the test certifies fundamental didactic and methodical knowledge
- it is suitable for beginners as well as teachers without formal qualifications
- teaching experience and pedagogic training are not required
- exam modules can be taken individually or in combination
- prerequisite: a minimum of B1 level English language skills
Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) specialist module: Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
Content:
Part 1 - Knowledge of CLIL and Principles of CLIL
- aims of and rationale for CLIL
- language across the curriculum
- communication skills across the curriculum
- cognitive skills across the curriculum
- learning skills across the Curriculum
Part 2A - Lesson Preparation
- planning a lesson or a series of lessons
- language demands of subject content and accompanying tasks
- resources including multi-media and visual organisers
- materials selection and adaptation
- activity types
Part 2B - Lesson Delivery
- classroom language
- scaffolding content and language learning
- methods to help learners develop learning strategies
- consolidating learning and Differentiation
Part 2C - Assessment
- focus of assessment
- types of assessment
- support strategies

Further information & sample papers

Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Location: Bolzano / Bozen

Enrolments 
For further information about enrolments and exam dates please contact cambridge@alphabeta.it.

Enrolment form and exam regulations

Cost of exam: € 73.5

Preparation courses: we offer preparation courses for this exam.
TKT Module 1 - Background to language teaching
Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) Module 1: Language and background to language learning and teaching

Content:
- describing language and language skills
- background to language learning
- background to language teaching

Further information and sample papers

Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Enrolments 
For further information about enrolments and exam dates please contact cambridge@alphabeta.it.

Cost of exam: € 73.5
TKT Module 2 - Planning lessons and use of resources for language teaching
Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) Module 2: Planning lessons and use of resources for language teaching

Content:
- planning and preparing a lesson or sequence of lessons
- selection and use of resources and materials

Further information and sample papers

Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Enrolments 
For further information about enrolments and exam dates please contact cambridge@alphabeta.it.

Cost of exam: € 73.5

TKT Module 3 - Managing the teaching and learning process
Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) Module 3: Managing the teaching and learning process

Content:
- teachers' and learners' language in the classroom
- classroom management

Further information and sample papers

Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Enrolments 
For further information about enrolments and exam dates please contact cambridge@alphabeta.it.

Cost of exam: € 73.5
TKT specialist module: Young learners
Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) specialist module: Young Learners

Content:
Part 1 - Knowledge of young learners and principles of teaching English to young learners
- children’s characteristics as language learners (theory-focused)
- developing children’s learning strategies through language learning
- developing children’s cognitive strategies through language learning
- developing children’s communication strategies through language learning
Part 2 - Planning and preparing Young learner lessons
- lesson plans – components /headings
- providing support and challenge when selecting and using coursebooks and supplementary materials 
-  additional resources – selecting, adapting and supplementing
Part 3 - Teaching young learners
- scaffolding children’s understanding of language and use of language through teacher language and teaching strategies
- using practice activities to consolidate children’s language learning
- managing young learners in class
Part 4 - Assessing young learner learning through classroom-based assessment
- purposes of different types of classroom-based assessment
- focus of different types of classroom-based assessment
- acting on classroom-based assessment evidence

Further information & sample papers

Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Enrolments 
For further information about enrolments and exam dates please contact cambridge@alphabeta.it.

Cost of exam: € 73.5

Preparation courses: we offer preparation courses for this exam.

Our Quality standards