Certificat de nivell suficiència de català
The purpose of the test is to assess whether the learner has mastery in the use of general language in its standard variety that allows him/her to communicate successfully in complex communication situations that require the use of formal or semi-formal language, used flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes.
It corresponds to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) of the Council of Europe.
There are four components:
Writing
Candidates must be able to write general, semiformal, clear and well structured texts about complex subjects of non-specialised areas, with a sufficient level of reasoning, cohesion, correctness and appropriateness.
There are two tasks. The first task requires the candidate to write a formal letter (complaining, requesting something, providing information about facts, making suggestions...) of approximately 150 words. The second task requires the candidate to write a formal text of approximately 200 words. Candidates have two choices: a) an opinion article in a magazine to put forward and argue a point of view, persuade, etc; b) a commentary on specific elements (characters, argument, topic...) of a book, play or film that candidates have read or seen, for a magazine, competition, etc; or on other topics requiring candidates to describe places, people, etc, and make a personal evaluation.
Reading
Candidates are expected to be able to understand written texts of abstract, conceptual, or technical areas, on general or specific topics, complex in terms of the type of language. Candidates should understand the gist and the main and secondary ideas or details, the ideas that are not formulated explicitly —communicative intention, point of view and attitude of the author, tone (irony, humour, etc)—, double meanings and the organisation of the text (order and association of ideas).
There are two tasks that require the reading of a text (article, report, news article, reviews of books, films, plays...) each of around 500-600 words. The first task requires the candidates answer ten true/false questions and multiple-choice questions. The second task requires the candidates to choose one of three summaries of a text that best sums up the content.
Grammar and vocabulary
Candidates are expected to demonstrate that they have a sufficient command of the language system to express themselves with an acceptable level of linguistic quality. They must complete six tasks based on authentic or slightly adapted passages. The tasks are of the following types: gap-filling, multiple choice and sentence transformation.
Speaking
Candidates are tested individually by two examiners (speaker and consultant). They should demonstrate their ability to express themselves spontaneously and fluently with ease, adequately and with a sufficient level of correctness in semiformal, everyday communicative situations requiring the use of the standard oral language.
There are three tasks:
- The first task requires the candidates to demonstrate their ability to produce a coherent monologue that is appropriate for the communicative situation giving a two-minute talk on a general topic using two photographs as stimuli.
- The second task requires the candidates to solve a problem-solving situation from a choice of two, one-minute tasks. To solve the task, the candidate needs to adapt the language to the specific situation. They should be able to demonstrate their ability to use the resources of the standard, semi-formal spoken language in a flexible way.
- The third task requires the candidates to read aloud a text of approximately 200 words. They should be able to demonstrate their ability to read aloud so that is understandable to the listener (without hesitation and segmenting properly, with appropriate rhythm and speed).
Weighting of components
The Writing component carries 40% of the total marks, the reading component 10%, the grammar and vocabulary 25% and the speaking component 25%.
Results
There are two qualifications: pass and fail.
In order to obtain a pass, a minimum of 70% is required overall and at least half of the percentages of the Writing and Speaking components.
Certificates are awarded to all successful candidates.