Internationally Recognized Language Examinations
Common European Framework of Common European Framework of
Official FAO Provider Reference for Languages
Languages (CEFRL) B1 - FAO level B
(intermediate)
Arabic Language Proficiency Test
Arabic (ALPT) B1
Hanban/Confucius Test of Standard Chinese Language
Chinese Institute (Ministry proficiency for non-native speakers,
of Education of The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi HSK
China) (level III)
http://www.chinesetest.cn/index.do
Educational Testing TOEIC (Test of English for
English Service (ETS) International Communication)
http://www.ets.org/toeic
Minimum TOEIC scores
required.pdf
Educational Testing TOEFL (Test of English as a
Service (ETS) Foreign Language)
https://www.ets.org/toefl
TOEFL IBT Minimum total score of
42 for level B (4 for Reading, 9 for
Listening, 16 for Speaking, 13 for
Writing).
TOEFL CBT Minimum total score
of 137 for level B.
British Council IELTS (International English
Cambridge English Language Testing System)
Language https://www.ielts.org/
Assessment Minimum score of 4.0 must be
obtained
Cambridge ESOL Certificate in
English Examinations depending on
score
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/ex
amsand-tests/cefr/
Reference for Languages (CEFRL)
C1
– FAO level C (proficiency)
Arabic Language Proficiency Test
(ALPT) C1
Test of Standard Chinese Language
proficiency for non-native speakers,
The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi HSK
(level V)
TOEIC (Test of English for
International Communication)
Minimum TOEIC scores required.pdf
Cambridge Advanced Examination
and
Cambridge Proficiency Examination
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language)
TOEFL IBT Minimum total score of
95 for level C (24 for Reading, 22 for
Listening, 25 for Speaking, 24 for
Writing).
TOEFL CBT Minimum total score of
220 for level C.
An overall score of 7.0 must be
obtained
Cambridge ESOL Certificate in
English Cambridge Examinations
depending on score
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exa
msand-tests/cefr/
 Paris Chamber of TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) Level C = minimum of 699 must be
Commerce and http://www.french- obtained for all four skills (Speaking,
French Industry (CCIP) paris.com/uk/adults/tef.php Level B Writing, Listening, Reading). Level 5
= 361 minimum must be obtained
for all the four skills (Speaking,
Writing, Listening, Reading). Level
3
Centre International TCF (Test de connaissance du C1 level must be obtained in each of
d’Études français) the four skills
Pédagogiques http://www.ciep.fr/en/tcf
(CIEP) B1 level must be obtained in each of
Ministry of the four skills.
Education in
France)
Diplôme d’Études en Langue Diplôme Approfondi de Langue
Française (DELF) B1 Française (DALF) C1
http://www.ciep.fr/en/delf-dalf
The Test of Russian as a Foreign The Test of Russian as a Foreign
Russian Language Level one TORFL-1 Language Level one TORFL-3

Instituto Cervantes/ Diploma de Español como Lengua A minimum of C1 level must be

Spanish University of Extranjera (DELE) obtained.
Salamanca http://www.dele.org/
(Ministry of A minimum of B1 level must be
Education in Spain) obtained.
Instituto Cervantes, Servicio Internacional de Servicio Internacional de Evaluación
la Universidad Evaluación de la Lengua Española de la Lengua Española (SIELE)
Nacional Autónoma (SIELE) B1 must be obtained in C1 must be obtained in each of the 4
de México, la each of the 4 skills https://siele.org skills
Universidad de On-line test. On-line test.
Salamanca y la
Universidad de
Buenos Aires.

Proof of Knowledge of FAO Languages*

Valid as Level C
External Certificates considered valid
by FAO
UN LPE
A high school diploma that proves that at least
50 % of the courses were taught in the target
language (English, French, Spanish, Arabic,
Chinese or Russian). FAO reserves the right to
request the transcripts of the courses taken by
the candidate.
Valid as Level B
External Certificates considered valid by
FAO
UN ILE
Erasmus programme or university exchange
programmes of at least six months duration (in
which the courses were taken in a FAO
language).
 An undergraduate university degree that proves
that at least 50% of the courses were taught in
the target language (English, French, Spanish,
Arabic, Chinese or Russian). FAO reserves the
right to request the transcripts of the courses
taken by the candidate.
An advanced university degree that proves that
at least 50 % of the courses were taught in the
specified language (English, French, Spanish,
Arabic, Chinese or Russian). FAO reserves the
right to request the transcripts of the courses
taken by the candidate.

International Baccalaureate

* Certification by supervisors and division directors are not accepted as valid proof of
knowledge of FAO official languages.

* Language assessments in PSSC interviews are not accepted as valid proof of knowledge of
FAO official languages.

* Publications in a FAO language are not accepted as valid proof of knowledge of FAO
official languages.

* Language courses attended in FAO, other UN agencies or Language Institutes are not
accepted as valid proof of knowledge of FAO official languages. Even if there is an end of session
test, it cannot be recognized officially.

* Living and working experiences in a country with English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese
or Russian as official language is not recognized as valid proof of knowledge of FAO official
languages.