Blanca Valbuena

The A2 CIPLE Exam for Portuguese Residency

When I moved to Portugal, I knew I’d wanted to pick up the language. While you do not need to speak Portuguese if you live in Lisbon, when you go out of the city to more rural areas, it definitely helps. I have been taking European Portuguese classes for a year and four months. I am currently at the B1 level and decided I should take the A2 CIPLE exam because I plan to eventually get permanent residence in Portugal (I am currently on a Portuguese D-7 residence visa which has to be renewed on a consistent basis).

The A2 CIPLE Exam for Portuguese Proficiency

Portuguese Proficiency exam and everything you need to know about it

Portuguese Language Requirements for Permanent Residency

If you plan to become either a permanent resident or citizen of Portugal, you need to prove that you have basic knowledge of the European Portuguese language. If you get permanent residency and then apply for citizenship, you do not need to re-take the Portuguese proficiency exam. There are a few more things that make this more complicated, but you need to prove that you have A2 level proficiency. That means taking the CIPLE exam (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira) which is the Initial Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language.

The exam is actually the CEFR A2 level. This lets the Portuguese government know that you have a basic knowledge of Portuguese and can get along in basic conversations, or as I like to put it, that you can speak Portuguese as well as a 9-year old.

Where Can You Sign Up To Take the CIPLE Exam?

  1.  go to this page on the CAPLE website:

https://caple.letras.ulisboa.pt/exame/2/ciple

2. Click OK on the PopUp.

3. When the new page loads, from the dropdowns,  choose the exam (CIPLE) and the country that you will take the exam in.

4. Click the “Continuar” button

How to see what dates are available for the A2 Portuguese Ciple exam

5. Select the date for the exam. 

Unfortunately, when I updated this article we were out of exam season, so no available dates showed. I will update it as soon as they begin to give the exam again. In the mean time, I will leave the instructions from when I first took the exam about 3 years ago.

PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS – TO BE UPDATED.

Once registered, you will receive an email. Follow the instructions in this message.

After choosing the LAPE where you are going to take the exam, you can use the contacts available on the site to ask a question, ask any questions or ask for help.

 The exam can also be taken at the IEFP, or at CAPLE accredited centers.

I signed up on the CAPLE website at for university near my house in Avenidas Novas. Let us discuss the sign-up process.

How Much Does The CIPLE Exam Cost?

As of Nov 28, 2022 the fee for the A2 CIPLE exam is 72,00€ .

You can pay via credit card of MBway. After making the payment, you will receive confirmation of your registration for the exam.

When does the CAPLE give the A2 Portuguese Exam?

Unfortunately, it is not year round. You can take the test during the months of:

  • May
  • July
  • November

Register AT LEAST 21 days before the date you want to take the exam.

How to Practice for the CIPLE Exam?

My teacher hooked me up with six practice exams that we did over a two week period before the exams. If your teacher does not supply these, the CAPLE website does give you one example test on their website to practice. These are the links to each section of the practice exams in case you need them:

How is the CIPLE Exam Structured?

 

The test is split into three sections:

  • Oral Expression (10 minutes – 25% of your grade) – You are taken into a room with 1-2 other people and each of you has to give a quick speech to answer one question from the person giving the exam.
  • Reading & Writing (1 hour 15 minutes – 45% of your grade) – 25 multiple answer questions and two short written answer questions.
  • Oral Comprehension (30 minutes – 30% of your grade)

Taking the CIPLE Exam

When you show up to take the CIPLE A2 Portuguese exam, you will need to bring the following:

  • Passport

  • National ID document

  • Or title of residence. 

  • Blue or Black Pen, Pencil & eraser.

 You will be asked to arrive 20 minutes before the exam begins. I have a thing about being on time, so I showed up 30 minutes before. 

You will wait outside the room as groups of 2-3 people are taken in to do their speaking exam.

What is it like to take the CIPLE Exam

Keep in mind I took the exam at least 3 years ago. Here’s how the exam went for me:

  1. We walked in, they checked our IDs and had us sit far apart from each other.
  2. The first task was to answer a simple question and expand on it orally. 
  3. We were all made to go out and wait until we were called in for the reading and writing section of the Portuguese Language exam.
  4. When you are handed your exam, it will have your unique applicant number on it. The exam is different for different people. Keep a copy of this number, you will need it later to check your grade.

5. The multiple answer part is a scantron test, so you need to fill in the circle for your choice with a pencil.

6. When that section of the test is done you get a 5-minute coffee-bathroom break.

7. Everyone comes in for the oral comprehension part. They will play a series of conversations and you need to answer about the context of each conversation/audio.

Is the A2 CIPLE Exam Difficult?

It’s not hard at all if you have studied. The test does have some trick questions so you need to pay attention. The only difficult section for me was the last section of the oral comprehension exam. I goofed and started making notes on the wrong line and because you cannot go back, it was difficult to figure out the right answers to go with each question, so pay attention to this part.

How is the CIPLE A2 Exam Graded?

The exam is graded from 55% to 100%. Here’s the breakdown on the grade scale for the A2 Portuguese Exam:

  • Muito Bom 85-100% (best grade – you passed)
  • Bom 70-84% (Average – you passed)
  • Suficiente 55-69% (Good Enough – you passed)

If you do not get the above grades, you will fail and you will have to wait until the next testing season to retake the test.

How Long Does it Take to Get CIPLE Exam results?

I was able to check for the results online two weeks after taking the exam here. When you go to that link, enter your candidate number and the results will come up. You can also check your exam grades:

– on the CAPLE-ULisboa website;

– in the Certificate/Diploma

– in the Results Communication (if you did not not pass the exam).

How Long Does it Take to Get My A2 Ciple Certificate?

You have to wait a bit longer to get the actual certificate. That took a month and three days. On the website it says that you will get the results in 21 days.

I received an email that told me where to go pick it up.

Once I arrived at the office, I had to show ID and sign my name to take the certificate.

Have other questions about the A2 exam, learning Portuguese, or moving to Lisbon? Ask me in the comments & good luck on the exam!

74 thoughts on “The A2 CIPLE Exam for Portuguese Residency”

  1. Thanks for sharing your first hand experience. I just finished A1 and I am enrolled in the A2 intensive Portuguese course at the University of Coimbra. I don’t think the professors have access to 6 different practice exams. In fact the one exam I received, did not include the audio files or any explanation of the oral compression portion that I found online. Do you think your teacher might have a referral for a tutor here in Coimbra that can assist me with test prep? I know I am going to need all of the practice I can get. Thanks in advance.

  2. Hi Theresa,

    It’s so nice to meet a fellow Portuguese learner. Congrats on the A1. I just wrote him to ask if he has a referral for you. I’m actually taking classes with him via Zoom since he is doing his dissertation on Portuguese teaching in Poland now…I have no qualms about recommending him if you do well learning online 🙂

    Blanca

  3. Hello Theresa,

    I m afraid I don´t know any Portuguese teachers in Coimbra that I can recommend.
    If you are interested in private tuition via web conference I can defeneatly help.
    Good luck with your studies.
    Regards.

  4. Thank you for the detailed information, this is extremely helpful. I put my application through as you described, and am still waiting for payment confirmation from CAPLE. Do you recall how long it took to process your payment?

  5. Funny enough. I sent the payment in October and had to email them in November to make sure the payment went through. I think it was processed automatically but I don’t think they send confirmation. Drop them a line here, they should be able to confirm your payment lape @ fcsh. unl. pt

  6. Hi there, thanks so much for the info!

    I’m staying in Portugal from May to July this year, with the goal of writing (and passing) my CIPLE exam.
    Could you recommend a school in Lisbon that prepares one well for the exam? and how long/how many hours would you suggest as minimum preparation?
    I’ve found schools that do anything between 3 and 6 hours a day (15-30 hours per week), and offer any number of weeks duration. Do you know of any schools that have been successful, and/or how much preparation of this style is needed?
    Could you please help? Would be so appreciated! <3

    Obrigada!

  7. Nuno, I would be interested in talking to you more about your tutoring and your fees. Please contact me via the email below, let me know how I can contact you privately.

  8. Barbara, I signed up for the May 22 CIPLE a few weeks ago and my payment confirmation was instant. Not sure if that is helpful.

  9. Hi I am from Braga and I want contact number of professor in Braga I have a test in may I want to learn português rápido as soon as possible plz help if any teacher here to teach me explain me A2 I want to prepare my self any body here in Braga??plz contact me [email protected]

  10. You can try one of these schools. Nuno (who is on the video) is my teacher and he prepared me for the A2 exam. He was patient and runs classes online too. Here’s the list of Portuguese classes for you.

  11. Hi! Do you mind if I ask what the quick question was for you at the beginning of the exam? We’ve been preparing a short introductory presentation – where we’re from, where we work, hobbies, family, etc. Was it related to that or something completely different? Exam is in 2 days and we’re pretty nervous. 🙂

  12. Blanca Valbuena

    Hi Barbara,

    The first question was basically asking me to introduce myself and to tell them what I would say to someone who was thinking of coming to Portugal. I believe the question changes for each exam, but will be in the same vein.

    Let me know how it went with the exam.

    Blanca

  13. Gregor Stewart-Smythe

    Thank you for your brief. Really is a big help when trying to figuer how the exam is constructed. Im taking classes twice a week and well hopefully sit my test early next year 2020. Although its a complicated lauguagae to learn I find it fullfilling practicing it on my neighbours.

  14. Blanca Valbuena

    Hi Gregor,

    Thank you for checking out my article on the A2 Portuguese test. The test was pretty easy and if you are doing classes twice per week, I think you will be more than ready by next year. It is the most difficult language I have had to learn so far, but every day I get to understand more and more…and practicing with the neighbors is definitely the way to go.

    Blanca

  15. Hi Blanca,

    Done with the exam! The oral expression turned out to be quite different than we anticipated; we had a small group and the examiner just led us in a casual conversation, going from person to person, back and forth. One person started talking about travel, so that’s where the conversation went (where have you been, favorite cities, etc.). Past study guides and other forums also talked about role-plays, so we studied for those possibilities, but no need. Whew! Now to wait for the results…

  16. Blanca Valbuena

    Hi Barbara,

    That’s fantastic. That seems like a very comfortable environment for the oral part. Good luck with your results on the A2 Portuguese exam! Keep me posted.

    Blanca

  17. Olá Blanca! Eu adoro o seu artigo!
    Estou em Lisboa agora para aprender a lingua portuguesa.
    Estou em o A2 aula e acho que é difícil para mi.

    So, enough of my portuguese. lol.
    I am registered to take the CIPLE exam on Sept 21.
    I am struggling with my A2 classes but have private classes in the afternoon that are helping tremendously.
    I feel it is not enough though.
    So, could I contact your tutor for private distance learning lessons?
    I will be going back to Asia in 2 weeks but I will be back in September for the exam.
    I would like to have some form of oral preparation with a tutor before this.
    I hear the listening portion is very difficult as the conversations are quite fast.

    Thank you in advance!

    Beth

  18. Blanca Valbuena

    Hi Beth,

    So nice to meet you. It’s not the easiest language, I’ve had a challenging time with it…but practice pays off. You can absolutely contact Nuno (he’s awesome). This is his Facebook page. I think he will get you exactly where you need to be 🙂

    Blanca

  19. Hi Blanca,

    Nice e-meeting you!
    Do you know if there is valid period of the CIPLE exam result?

    Fion

  20. Blanca Valbuena

    I believe when you have it, you have it. I’ll ask around to make sure, but I am 99.99% on that 🙂

  21. Blanca, thanks for your quick reply. If there is no valid date mentioned on the certificate, I believe what you said is correct. Would appreciate if you could ask around to confirm it. Thanks!

  22. Thanks so much for your quick reply Blanca. I thought I replied day ago but just found it wasn’t posted.
    If there is no expiry date mentioned on the certificate, I think it is life-long valid. Would appreciate if you could ask around to confirm it. Thanks a lot.

  23. Blanca thanks so much for all of your information, I am hoping to take the CIPLE test while in Lisbon for a few days in September, you mentioned you needed to sign to get your certificate, Do you know if they would mail it? I won’t be in Portugal for more than 1 month in order to wait to sign for it. Thanks for any info!

  24. Blanca Valbuena

    Hey Corey,

    Good luck on the exam. It’s not too hard at all. I did have to go in, show ID and sign to get my certificate. I don’t know if things have changed since then but write them directly info at letras.ulisboa.pt. You can write in English and ask them since you are only going to be in town if they are willing to mail it to you, or if they will let someone else pick up for you.

    🙂
    Blanca

  25. Hello Blanca, thanks for your blog! it really helped me to prepare for my test I knew exactly what to expect the day I did it. The listening part was so hard even though I am native Spanish speaker and the languages are so similar but still so different. I guess I found it hard because I learnt Portuguese in 1 month by myself and then booked the exam and did it, but if I would have had more practice then it would have been a totally different story …

    Blanca, I read that after two weeks you were able to see your results I haven’t been this lucky as I have been trying and trying to see mine in the website and they haven’t posted anything just yet and btw today is the date they said in the email that the results should’ve been published, do you know what should I do? Or maybe I am looking for the results on the wrong part of the website I just feel lost.

    PS: I have contacted the University of Porto that was the place where the exam took place and they said that I should wait but I do not understand how they gave me a date and nothing came on this date plus all the blogs that I’ve read including yours have been able to see their results weeks after taking the test.

    Thank you again!

  26. Helloooo!! Thank you for the detailed information. I wanted to ask you if these language learning centres provide you with a certificate that exempts you from the taking the Portuguese language test at the SEF?
    And if you can recommend an online tutor for the test prep. Thank you

  27. Hi Isaac,

    Thank you for your kind words. I’m thrilled to hear that this post was helpful for you in preparing for the A2 Portuguese exam. I too have had a hard time with the language…and I think being a native Spanish speaker did not help me. There are so many sounds that change with words that are so similar, that I had a very hard time saying the words and hearing the words. Learning in 1 month is pretty impressive. I did my A2 after a year of classes, that absolutely helped me with the listening part.

    Nope, you’re absolutely right. They could be just running behind, always possible here in Portugal. Patience is a virtue here. That being said, why don’t you send an email here [email protected] – you should have your test ID number. They should be able to help you out.

    Make sure to update me once you get your results.

    🙂
    Blanca

  28. Hi Maria,

    You don’t actually take the language test at the SEF. You need to sign up for the exam separately and bring your certificate with you to the SEF.

    I’ve got a list of places and online European Portuguese teachers here. Nuno is my teacher and I can vouch for him being amazing, so start by contacting him.

    🙂
    Blanca

  29. Blanca!

    Thanks for you asnwer, they were very fast to answer to my emails and very helpful. They had some little issues but after a week they solved everything and I was able to see the results and I passed! with “Bom” which means that I wasn’t the best but neither the worst.

    Muchas gracias Blanca por hacer un espacio de tu tiempo y querer ayudar! um grande abraço
    🙂

  30. Hello,
    Thanks so much for providing such great information! I was wondering if I can take this exam in the USA? or do I need to go to Portugal for that?

    Thanks
    Sasan

  31. Hi Sasan,

    Yes, you can take the Portuguese A2 exam in the USA at CAPLE accredited centers, of which there are a few in the USA, 4 to be exact:

    Berkeley -University of California – Berkeley
    Boston – Consulado Geral de Portugal
    Newark – Consulado Geral de Portugal
    Washington DC – Embaixada de Portugal

    Hope that helps…and good luck with the exam.

    Blanca

  32. HI Blanca,

    Thank you very much for your informative article.

    I understand that CIPLE is one way to obtain the certificate of language proficiency
    for naturalization. However, it appears there are other ways to obtain this certificate.
    For example, here in Portimao, one can go to a high school for six months or a year (can’t remember
    and if one passes the final exam, one receives the certificate.

    There is also an organization called IAVE. They offer the exam once a year.

    This is taken from an email I received yesterday:
    Please be advised that the registration period for the completion of the Proof of knowledge of Portuguese Language for Nationality Acquisition (PaN) runs between October 18 and on November 5, 2019.

    For more information you should consult the Notice No. 16726-A / 2019 , published in the Official Gazette on October 18, 2019, which is on our website ( http://www.iave.pt ).

    Just thought it would be helpful for people to know that there are other ways to obtain the certificate in addition to CIPLE.

    My husband is going to take the IAVE exam. It is a combination of listening, reading and writing. There is no conversation component. I confirmed this twice today with IAVE.

    My question is – would your wonderful teacher, Nuno, be able to help my husband? We need a teacher who can help with him writing, as this is his weakness.

    If you have the time reply, that would great, and thank you again for this helpful article. Maryanne

  33. Gregor Stewart-Smythe

    Hello Bianca,

    Thanks to this page ive been motivated to take up lessons this year. I feel that I am ready to take the test in Lisbon early next year.

    However, Ive been trying to find out when they will be holding the CIPLE , Nivel A2 tests but as of now they don’t show the dates for 2020. The last date was October 2019.

    Do you another way to find out next years time table. I just would like to know as i am planning on take extra lessons a few weeks before the exam.

    Ive sent an email to [email protected] but no reply and i can’t locate a phone number ?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you.

    Kind regards

    Gregor.

  34. HI,

    I am writing my Level A2 exam on the 23rd of November. Firstly i was wondering if anyone had any memos for papers especially the listening. I also want to know if anyone knows if you are required to pass each section to pass the exam or if your overall mark is a pass is it sufficient?

  35. Hi Gregor,

    Good luck with the exam. That’s awesome that you’re getting ready for it.

    I checked the CAPLE site and it looks like nothing is scheduled for now. https://caple.letras.ulisboa.pt/exame/2/ciple

    Maybe try to go to the Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (it’s in Avenidas Novas). When you walk into the courtyard, look to the right. There is a tall white building. I forget what floor it is on, but there is a CAPLE office there (you can ask security as soon as you walk in.

    They may be able to assist you.

    Let me know what they say. I am sure there are others with the same question.

    Blanca

  36. I almost missed this. Good luck tomorrow! The test is pretty easy. You need to do well in all parts of the exam, but there is a certain number that you need to get right on each section in order to pass. Let me know how it goes!

  37. Dear Blanca may you please provide me with the email address of Teacher Nuno. I would like to take classes from him.
    Regards

  38. I found the exam to be easy, but I think that my Portuguese teacher had a lot to do with that since he not only went through the material with me, but he also spent time doing practice exams. The “hardest” part for me was the listening part.

  39. Hello ,I am trying to do the exams of Jan 25 but the registration is not easy at all .is anyone having the same problem??i am trying to study myself and give the exams so is there anyone who wants to lend some practice notes or books or materials related to ciple .of course I can return it back once I give the exams ,that would be very helpful .hoping to get some news soon .thankyou .

  40. Please bear in mind that for native Spanish speakers, European Portuguese is far easier than for anyone speaking any other language as a mother tongue.
    As a native Portuguese former tutor (not my main activity, but a part-time one, out of passion for it), I have taught specifically Chinese people for two years, as well as native Spanish and native English speakers. I found that Spanish speakers progressed incredibly faster than others, so pay attention to it! 🙂 All the best of luck and I hope you pass your A2 everyone!

  41. Blanca Valbuena

    Thanks, Isabel!

    You know… I speak Spanish (native language), English (second language and what I feel most proficient in) Italian and French (fairly well – gets better when I visit), and now Portuguese (B2). The hardest language for me to learn was Portuguese. Mostly due to the plurality of the sounds, and having to fight Spanish grammar. There are some things that are atrocities in Spanish (at least Colombian Spanish) that are perfectly correct in Portuguese…and it is really hard to train my brain to tell it that in fact, I am saying things right. Have any of your other Spanish speaking students related this?

    Blanca

  42. Thanks a lot for the information! It’s always helpful to know about others’ experiences when it comes to these exams.

    Blanca, I’d like to know if the date printed in the certificate is the date in which you take the exam or the date in which the certificate is issued (or the date in which the results are published). I’m considering taking the DIPLE (B2) exam in November, but I’ve been told that the certificate takes two months aprox. to arrive. I need the certificate to apply for a job in a public institution in my country and the certificate won’t be useful for that if the date in my certificate is 2021.

    I know it isn’t a common question but I hope you can help 🙂 Thanks!

  43. Hi Blanca! Thank you for sharing your experience.
    I am taking the exam in November 2020 and I was wondering if the date stated in the certificate once you receive it is the date in which you took the exam or it is any other (the date in which they give you the results, the date in which they send the certificate, etc). That info would be very useful for future paperwork.

    Thank you!!

  44. Hi there, thanks for your amazing information on this blog. We are hoping to take the A2 CIPLE exam in November 2020 if it is offered in USA. Have been studying Memrise, etc. Would love to find a tutor to work with us via Zoom or Skype. Is Nuno still tutoring? Do you have any other recommendations?
    Thanks so much in advance

  45. I don’t remember exactly how long it took, but it was not fast. I did wait about 2 months to get my certificate.

  46. Hello

    Does anyone know from where to get past A2 exam papers.

    Also is there clarity when the exams are next year?

    Thanks.

  47. My teacher “gave me” practice exams (meaning I sat with him and took previous exams as practice). If you have a teacher ask them. You may also be able o get them from the https://www.instituto-camoes.pt/

    The test really wasn’t that hard. If you are comfortable in your classes you should do just fine 🙂

  48. Hi Nuno,

    I would be interested in taking some Portuguese classes in preparation for my Ciple exam (over zoom if possible). Please contact here me and let’s talk.

    Carlo

  49. Hi Blanca,

    If you fail the CIPLE exam, can you retake it the next time it’s offered?

    Thanks for emailing me a response if you know the answer.

    Steve

  50. I believe there is a waiting time of a year (or 6 months) between the times you can take the CIPLE over again. I just wrote them to get the rules on retaking the CIPLE directly from them. I’ll update you once they write back. One thing to consider is that if someone needs to retake the CIPLE Portuguese language test, they will have to pay the fee for the test again. I checked this yesterday and it was around 71Є.

  51. Steve,

    Just heard back. They said that if a candidate fails the CIPLE exam, they can re-take it during the next exam season, so you would have to check their schedule to see when that is.

    Good luck on the CIPLE exam.

    Blanca

  52. Hi , have you given your exam ? And how was it, did you already had your certificate?
    And importantly does it work to apply for citizenship ?

  53. Blanca Valbuena

    Hi Cristina,

    Yes, I took the A2 exam a while back and I passed. Got my certificate too.
    The A2 exam is enough for you to apply for your citizenship through nationalization and prove that you have an understanding of the language, but you do need to meet the other requirements.

    Hope this helps point you in the right direction 🙂
    Blanca

  54. Good morning!

    I would like to thank you for your information and kindness too!
    Would you please send me your six practice exams samples to practice as I want to take an exam!

    Warm regards,
    R. Thomas

  55. Hi R,

    Good luck with your upcoming exam! I am thrilled to see that you found the information on taking the Portuguese test for residency helpful.

    I no longer have the practice exams my teacher had me practice with, but if you go to the CIPLE site, there is a sample of the A2 test on the bottom of the page where it says “Exemplo do Exame”.

    Make sure to check back in and let me know how you do!

    Blanca

  56. I was able to, but keep in mind I took my test a while ago and with covid things may have changed a bit. Maybe ask them when you take the exam.

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