Which methods can check a candidate's level?
Each method measures something different. They are often combined.
| Method | What it measures | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Self-reported level (CV) | What it measures: What the person says about their level | Main limitation: No check: it is a self-declaration |
| Interview in the language | What it measures: Spoken interaction, in the context of the role | Main limitation: Without a shared rubric, two recruiters may judge differently, and nothing is recorded |
| Take-home writing task | What it measures: Writing, on a topic close to the role | Main limitation: Marking depends on the marker, and outside help is not controlled |
| Role play (simulated call, scenario) | What it measures: Speaking on a real task of the role | Main limitation: It takes an assessor who speaks the language and time for each candidate |
| Recognized official exam | What it measures: Several skills, with a recognized result | Main limitation: The candidate must register, pay and wait for a session |
| Assessing a real production with CEFRHub | What it measures: Writing or speaking, on the CEFR scale, with a detailed report in under 3 minutes | Main limitation: Decision support, not certifying; comprehension is not measured |
How CEFRHub assesses a candidate
- You choose the task: a text to write or a speaking recording, in the language of the role. Give the same task to all candidates for the same role: their levels stay comparable.
- The candidate produces an answer. With the organization plans (Team, Business and Enterprise), you invite the candidate by email: they take the test in their browser, without creating an account, after giving consent; the link is valid for 72 hours. With the other plans, you upload their text or recording yourself.
- CEFRHub analyzes the production against the descriptors of the CEFR and its Companion Volume (Council of Europe, 2020) and returns a report: level, sub-level, strengths and points to work on.
- You decide. In the placement test, an automated check flags results to review, and you can record the level you retain, alongside the one proposed by the AI.
Which CEFR level for which role?
The CEFR describes what a person can do at each level. The level to require depends on the role: the employer sets it.
| Level | What the person can do |
|---|---|
| B1 | What the person can do: Get by in everyday situations on familiar topics; produce a simple, connected text; describe an experience and briefly give reasons for an opinion. |
| B2 | What the person can do: Interact fluently and spontaneously with speakers of the language; express themselves clearly and in detail on a range of topics; defend a viewpoint by weighing advantages and disadvantages. |
| C1 | What the person can do: Express themselves fluently without searching for words; use the language flexibly and effectively at work; produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on complex subjects. |
Source: global scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Council of Europe), reworded by CEFRHub.
Bilingual proficiency test for bilingual roles in Canada
Many roles require both French and English. As a bilingual proficiency test, CEFRHub assesses both languages on the same scale, the CEFR: you compare one candidate's levels in each language, from their own productions. Data is stored and analyzed in Canada.
For a federal public service position, the official assessment is the Public Service Commission of Canada's second language evaluation: CEFRHub does not replace it. Second language evaluation (canada.ca)
How much does it cost for a team?
Prices are public, in Canadian dollars.
| Plan | Price | Evaluations per month | Members | Onboarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Price: CA$169 per month | Evaluations per month: 500, shared | Members: Up to 10 | Onboarding: 45 minutes onboarding call |
| Business | Price: CA$499 per month | Evaluations per month: 2,000, shared | Members: Up to 50 | Onboarding: 2 hours onboarding and training |
| Enterprise | Price: Custom quote | Evaluations per month: Based on your volume | Members: No limit | Onboarding: Payment by invoice available |
All three organization plans include the placement test, with candidate invitations by email.
Free: 1 written evaluation every 30 days and 1 speaking evaluation offered once, with no credit card. Credits without a subscription from CA$5 (1 credit = 1 evaluation).
Candidate data
Data is stored and analyzed in Canada. In the placement test, the candidate gives consent before the test, and their audio recording is not kept. Retention of texts and results, and people's rights, are described in the privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Does CEFRHub replace an official exam?
No. It is a decision-support tool, not certifying. If the role requires an official result, the candidate must take a recognized exam.
How long does it take to get the result?
Under 3 minutes after the production is sent. The report gives the level, the sub-level, strengths and points to work on.
Do you verify the candidate's identity or monitor them?
No: CEFRHub does not verify identity and does not use a camera. In the placement test, pastes and tab switches are counted and shown to the employer, as a simple indicator to interpret.
Is the level reviewed by a human?
The level is proposed by the AI, which never changes it on its own. In the placement test, a check flags results to review, and the employer can record the level they retain.
What are the CEFR levels?
The CEFR describes six levels in three bands: basic user (A1, A2), independent user (B1, B2) and proficient user (C1, C2). CEFRHub places a production from A1 to C2, with a sub-level (for example B1.2).
Which skills does CEFRHub assess?
Writing (a text) and speaking (a recording). Reading and listening comprehension are not measured: if the role requires them, check them another way, for example during the interview.
Which CEFR level makes a candidate “bilingual”?
The CEFR does not define a “bilingual” level: it describes what a person can do in each language. For a bilingual role, the employer sets the level expected in each language based on the tasks of the role, and CEFRHub assesses each language on the same scale.
Assessment method · About
Last updated: October 19, 2026