About the exam
What is the LanguageCert exam? A complete guide for candidates from Iran
What the LanguageCert English test is, which version you need, where it's accepted, its format and scores, and what candidates from Iran should know before registering.
By Certyar5 November 20266 min read
Read this in PersianIn this article
- LanguageCert Academic at a glance
- How many LanguageCert tests are there, and which is yours?
- Where is LanguageCert from?
- The Academic test's format
- What the scores mean
- Where is a LanguageCert certificate accepted?
- How long does a result last?
- What candidates from Iran should know before registering
- Where to start
- Frequently asked questions
Practise for LanguageCert in the real exam format.
Every part, AI feedback on Writing and Speaking, and full mocks with an estimated score.
Try Certyar freeLanguageCert is a British language awarding organisation, and the test most people studying or migrating abroad look for is LanguageCert Academic: four skills, about 2 hours 34 minutes, scored from 0 to 100, with official results usually within 3 working days.
We checked this against official pages on 5 November 2026. Test rules, especially for Iranians, change quickly, so check again before you pay for anything.
LanguageCert Academic at a glance
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| Run by | LanguageCert, part of the PeopleCert group, registered in the UK |
| Levels | B1 to C2 |
| Length | About 2 hours 34 minutes |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Score | Each skill and overall, from 0 to 100 |
| Results | Usually within 3 working days of your last section |
| Delivery | At a test centre, or online with live proctoring |
| Speaking | A live conversation with an examiner, not a recording for a computer |
How many LanguageCert tests are there, and which is yours?
Most of the confusion starts here: LanguageCert is the organisation, not one test. Before you register, find the exact test your destination asks for.
| Test | For whom | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | University admission, Australian visas and most migration uses | The subject of this guide; one test covering B1 to C2 |
| Academic SELT | UK visas | Only at a UKVI-approved centre; no online version |
| General and General SELT | Non-academic uses and some UK visas | Check your destination's rule before choosing |
| International ESOL | A general certificate at one chosen level, A1 to C2 | A separate exam per level; it doesn't replace Academic |
| LTE | An online check of Listening and Reading | Doesn't cover all four skills |
Where is LanguageCert from?
LanguageCert is the business name of PeopleCert Qualifications Ltd, registered in the UK. According to its own policy document, it is recognised by Ofqual and Qualification Wales and approved by UKVI as a SELT provider. PeopleCert's site says Byron Nicolaides founded the group in 2000; it also owns certifications such as ITIL and PRINCE2. LanguageCert Academic and General formally began in 2023.
The Academic test's format
| Section | Length | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 40 minutes | 4 parts and 30 questions; each recording plays twice |
| Reading | 50 minutes | 5 parts and 30 questions |
| Writing | 50 minutes | 2 tasks, 150 to 200 words and 250 words |
| Speaking | About 14 minutes | 4 parts, face to face with an examiner |
Listening, Reading and Writing form one component and Speaking the other. You can take them on the same day, subject to availability, or up to 14 days apart. The format guide has the details.
What the scores mean
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| C2 | 90 to 100 |
| C1 | 75 to 89 |
| B2 | 60 to 74 |
| B1 | 40 to 59 |
The overall score is the average of the four skills. There's no pass or fail: your destination sets the score it needs, and the score calculator works out an overall score. See how it's marked and the official IELTS equivalents.
Where is a LanguageCert certificate accepted?
LanguageCert says it is accepted in over 100 countries and by over 3,000 institutions. That is its own claim; what matters more is your destination's rule:
| Destination | Status | The important condition |
|---|---|---|
| UK, student visa | Accepted | Below degree level needs Academic SELT; at degree level and above, Academic can do if the university accepts it |
| Australia | All visa types | At a test centre only, not online |
| Ireland | Accepted | Department of Justice, for study visas |
| New Zealand | Accepted | NZQA, for admission to all programmes |
| Netherlands | Accepted | Centre-based only, not online |
| Canada, Express Entry | Not on the list | Only CELPIP, IELTS General, PTE Core, TEF and TCF |
| USA and Canadian universities | Depends on the university | Ask the university itself |
To weigh it against other tests, read LanguageCert compared with IELTS, TOEFL and PTE.
How long does a result last?
LanguageCert says its results and certificates have no expiry date. That isn't the end of it, because whoever receives it decides how recent it must be. For a UK visa, for example, the result must have been awarded in the two years before you apply. Ask your destination separately.
What candidates from Iran should know before registering
GOV.UK's list of approved SELT centres has no LanguageCert centre in Iran, and we didn't see Iran in the Academic centre finder either. In the sources we read, LanguageCert says nothing about residents of Iran or Iranian passport holders, so we can't say it's possible or that it's forbidden. The details, and what to ask in writing, are in where the test runs.
Where to start
- Ask your destination for its exact rule: the test's name, the minimum overall score and each skill's minimum.
- Before spending anything, get LanguageCert's written answer on whether you can register.
- Work out the cost of the test and the trip.
- Start practising with the preparation guide and 8-week plan.
- Take a full mock before you register. Certyar's scores are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the LanguageCert exam valid?
Yes, wherever it's accepted. Ofqual recognises the organisation, and the UK and Australia accept it for visas. Still, each destination has its own list: it isn't in Canada's Express Entry, for example.
Is LanguageCert easier than IELTS?
There's no definite answer. LanguageCert's own study reports a correlation of .87 between the two tests' overall scores, which means they measure similar things, not that one is easier. Their formats differ, and either may suit you better.
Can I take LanguageCert online?
Yes, Academic has an online version with live proctoring, and it needs a valid passport. It isn't accepted for Australian or UK visas, or for admission in the Netherlands.
How much does the LanguageCert exam cost?
It depends on the country: in Turkey, for example, $140 online and $180 at a centre. The fee article has the full table.
Is this test held in Iran?
We found no centre in Iran. Where the test runs shows the nearest cities.
Certyar is an independent preparation site, not affiliated with LanguageCert; it doesn't run the test or take registrations. For the official details, see LanguageCert Academic's page.