The ECCE (Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English) is a standardized test that allows language learners to obtain an English proficiency certificate of advanced intermediate level. It is very popular among top educational institutions in Latin America and Europe, where B2 level proficiency is required to follow most degree programs. It has a network of Authorized Test Centers, and has been in operation for over three decades. ECCE was instituted by the University of Michigan in the United States, and is also recognized by the Cambridge English network, as an alternative to their B2 certification.
The ECCE test has four sections, corresponding to the main skills tested by other standardized English proficiency tests: Writing, Listening, Reading, and Speaking. It is an offline paper-based test that is offered two times a year; it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. The score is reported on a scale from 0 to 1,000, with a score of 840 being awarded a Certificate of Competency with Honors.
| Exam Name | ECCE (Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English) |
| Governing Organization | University of Michigan and Cambridge Assessment English |
| Official Website | michiganassessment.org/michigan-tests/ecce/ |
| Registration Date | (for exam date May 20, 2024) February 29, 2024 |
| Registration Fee | 178 Euros (in Europe) |
| Mode of Exam | Pen and paper |
| Accepted in | Multiple Universities across the world |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (in May and December) |
| Exam Duration | 165 minutes |
| Total Questions | 110 MCQs + 5 Tasks |
The method of registration for the ECCE varies according to the local organization which administers the test.
Any individual may register for and attempt the ECCE, regardless of religion, gender, or nationality. There is also no explicit age limit defined; however, children below the age of 13 will need to provide a certificate of consent from their legal guardians. The age of most test takers is within two years of twenty, as it is mainly used by university applicants and job seekers.
The ECCE examination has four sections, one each corresponding to the four main skills required to master English at a high-intermediate level. Two of the sections (Reading and Listening) have only multiple choice questions, whereas the remaining two have a series of tasks to be completed. The Writing and Speaking sections are judged as a whole.
| Sections | Time (Minutes) | Questions/Tasks |
| Writing | 30 | 1 |
| Listening | 45 | 45 |
| Reading | 75 | 65 |
| Speaking | 15 | 4 |
| Total | 165 | 115 |
The Speaking section may also be scheduled before the Writing section; candidates will only know the order on the day of the test.
The four sections of the ECCE test have their passages drawn from real life situations, similar to those in a newspaper or magazine article.
There is one half-hour task in the ECCE Writing Section. Candidates may either choose to write an email/letter, or a descriptive essay. In both cases, a topic is given to test takers, and they must be able to take a stand and support it with logical arguments. Candidates must read the outline given to them, to ensure that they cover all points. Missing out any aspect of the question will lead to a lower score.
There are three skills tested during the ECCE Listening Paper. The first is the ability to understand the overall theme of the audio recording. The second is the skill of remembering and reproducing facts stated during the speech. Finally, the ability to make logical deductions based on material covered in the passage is an important aspect of overall success. There are two kinds of audio passages: short conversations and medium-length speeches. A total of 45 multiple choice questions are to be answered in 45 minutes. While practicing, test takers should use sample passages to improve their note taking and listening capabilities.
There are four sections within the ECCE Reading Paper, two of which are similar to Reading Comprehension assignments in the TOEFL or IELTS, with additional Grammar and Vocabulary sections. All questions are multiple choice, and the passages are usually drawn from daily life, and are based on general items of topical interest. To prepare for this section, candidates must improve their reading speed and knowledge of common grammatical errors. They can also download and memorize B2 word lists from the Cambridge English website.
There are four verbal assignments that make up the ECCE Speaking Section. Each lasts approximately 3-4 minutes, and the conversation prompts become more complex as the test progresses. They are similar to real life situations, and candidates may have to present their sides of an argument, make recommendations to a friend, or talk about a topic at length. While preparing, test takers should focus on speaking slowly and confidently, and improve their real time planning skills. Only one examiner is present during this phase, and candidates are given a few moments to think of key points to cover before each of the four stages of the test.
The ECCE exam is held two times every year, in May and December. The registration closes approximately 80 days before the test date. Therefore, candidates must submit their applications well in advance so that they do not miss the deadline, as any delay will mean that they must wait six months for the next test date. For this reason, most test takers prefer to take the test in the pre-final year of their school or undergraduate studies, so that they have ample time to receive and submit their scores.
| ECCE Test Date | Last Date for Registration | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, and Late Registration |
| December 20, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2023 |
| May 20, 2024 | February 29, 2024 | February 29, 2024 |
There are 225 ECCE test centers in more than 25 countries. However, there is no test center in India. Indian citizens who wish to obtain the ECCE certificate of B2 Level Proficiency usually prefer to travel to the nearest exam venue, in the United Arab Emirates.
The ECCE exam fees vary from country to country. This is because of the fluctuating value of local currencies and the associated administrative costs. In Europe, where the exam is very popular, the test fee is approximately 180 Euros in most countries.
| Service | ECCE Exam Fees (sample; for Greece) |
| Registration Fee | 178 Euros |
The University of Michigan website has full length ECCE sample papers that can be downloaded and attempted. The Reading and Listening sections also have answer keys; these can be used to check the overall score in those sections. The Writing and Speaking sections have only questions and sample answers; candidates will need to have a mentor or coach evaluate their submissions for these sample sections. The University also publishes “Preparing Students” online guide books to help educators who train students for success in the ECCE.
The ECCE Writing and Speaking sections have helpful resources on the ECCE website. Sample essays and speeches are accompanied by detailed notes and commentary; candidates can use these to gain insights into common errors, and identify simple interventions that can improve their overall score.
