Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
All Practice Exams

100+ Free CIPLE A2 Exam Practice Questions

Pass your Certificado Inicial de Portugues Lingua Estrangeira (A2) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

Escolha o pronome correto: "Este livro é para ti. Eu comprei-___ ontem."

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CIPLE A2 Exam Exam

A2 (CEFR)

Exam Level

CAPLE

55%

Overall Pass Mark

CAPLE

3 components

Reading & Writing, Listening, Speaking

CAPLE

25%

Minimum Required in Each Component

CAPLE

The CIPLE is the A2-level European Portuguese exam from CAPLE (Universidade de Lisboa) and the language certificate accepted for Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation. It has three components - Reading & Writing (45%), Listening (30%), and Speaking (25%). Candidates must score at least 55% overall AND at least 25% in every single component; failing the 25% minimum in any one component fails the whole exam. The fee is roughly EUR 75-85 depending on the exam centre, and the test is offered on fixed sitting dates each year.

Sample CIPLE A2 Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CIPLE A2 Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Complete a frase: "Eu ___ portuguesa e moro em Lisboa."
A.sou
B.estou
C.tenho
D.vou
Explanation: The verb 'ser' (sou, 1st person singular) is used for permanent characteristics such as nationality. 'Eu sou portuguesa' means 'I am Portuguese', a stable identity trait.
2Escolha a opção correta: "A Maria ___ cansada hoje porque trabalhou muito."
A.é
B.está
C.tem
D.faz
Explanation: 'Estar' (está) expresses a temporary state or condition. Being tired today is a passing condition, so 'está cansada' is correct.
3Complete: "Nós ___ ao supermercado todas as semanas."
A.vamos
B.vai
C.vão
D.vou
Explanation: With the subject 'nós' (we), the verb 'ir' takes the form 'vamos' in the present tense. 'Nós vamos ao supermercado' means 'We go to the supermarket'.
4Escolha a contração correta: "O livro está ___ mesa."
A.em a
B.na
C.no
D.da
Explanation: The preposition 'em' contracts with the feminine article 'a' to form 'na'. 'Mesa' is feminine, so 'na mesa' (on the table) is correct.
5Complete: "Ontem eu ___ um filme muito interessante."
A.vejo
B.vi
C.via
D.verei
Explanation: 'Ontem' (yesterday) signals a completed past action, which requires the pretérito perfeito. 'Vi' is the 1st person singular pretérito perfeito of 'ver'.
6Qual é o plural correto de "o animal"?
A.os animales
B.os animais
C.os animaus
D.os animal
Explanation: Portuguese nouns ending in '-al' form the plural by replacing '-al' with '-ais'. So 'animal' becomes 'animais'.
7Complete: "Amanhã eu ___ visitar os meus pais."
A.fui
B.vou
C.ia
D.vais
Explanation: The near future in Portuguese is formed with the present of 'ir' + infinitive. 'Amanhã' (tomorrow) signals the future, so 'vou visitar' is correct.
8Escolha a opção correta: "___ horas são? São três horas."
A.Quantas
B.Quanto
C.Quais
D.Como
Explanation: To ask the time, Portuguese uses 'Que horas são?' or 'Quantas horas são?'. 'Quantas' is the feminine plural form agreeing with 'horas'.
9Complete: "Este café é ___ caro do que aquele."
A.mais
B.muito
C.tão
D.menos do
Explanation: Comparisons of superiority use 'mais ... do que'. 'Mais caro do que' means 'more expensive than'.
10Qual é a resposta correta a "Bom dia! Como está?"
A.Tenho dez anos.
B.Estou bem, obrigado.
C.Moro no Porto.
D.São oito horas.
Explanation: 'Como está?' asks how someone is feeling. The appropriate reply is 'Estou bem, obrigado' (I am well, thank you).

About the CIPLE A2 Exam Exam

The CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Portugues Lingua Estrangeira) is the A2-level European Portuguese proficiency exam administered by CAPLE at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon. It is the language certificate accepted by the Portuguese government for nationality by naturalisation. The exam has three components: Reading Comprehension & Written Expression (45%), Listening Comprehension (30%), and Oral Production & Interaction (25%). Candidates must score at least 55% overall and at least 25% in each component to pass.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 2 hours across three components

Passing Score

55% overall, with a minimum of 25% in each of the three components

Exam Fee

Approximately EUR 75-85 (varies by exam centre) (CAPLE - Universidade de Lisboa)

CIPLE A2 Exam Exam Content Outline

45%

Reading Comprehension & Written Expression

Short everyday texts - adverts, notices, SMS messages, e-mails - with multiple-choice, true/false and matching comprehension questions, plus two writing tasks (a short message and a longer informal text)

30%

Listening Comprehension

Recorded dialogues and monologues at natural speed, each played twice, with comprehension questions set in everyday Portuguese-language situations

25%

Oral Production & Interaction

A face-to-face speaking test with an examiner: a personal introduction, a role-play interaction with another candidate, and a short conversation on an everyday topic

How to Pass the CIPLE A2 Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 55% overall, with a minimum of 25% in each of the three components
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Approximately 2 hours across three components
  • Exam fee: Approximately EUR 75-85 (varies by exam centre)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CIPLE A2 Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study European Portuguese specifically - vocabulary differs from Brazilian Portuguese (autocarro vs onibus, comboio vs trem, pequeno-almoco vs cafe da manha)
2Master the contrast between pretrito perfeito (completed actions) and pretrito imperfeito (habits and ongoing past actions) - this is heavily tested at A2
3Practise ser vs estar and ficar until the choice is automatic, since they are among the most common A2 errors
4Drill prepositions and their contractions (no, na, do, da, ao, pelo, num) - small words that decide whether a sentence is correct
5Because the 25% minimum per component can fail you, do not neglect the listening section - train your ear with European Portuguese audio every day
6Build everyday vocabulary in themed sets: shopping, health, transport, the home, work, and asking for directions
7Take full timed practice tests so the roughly two-hour multi-component format feels familiar on exam day

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CIPLE exam and what is it used for?

The CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Portugues Lingua Estrangeira) is the A2-level European Portuguese proficiency exam from CAPLE at the University of Lisbon. It certifies basic, everyday Portuguese and is the language qualification accepted by the Portuguese government for applications for nationality by naturalisation.

What CEFR level is the CIPLE exam?

The CIPLE is set at CEFR level A2 - basic user. At A2 you can understand sentences and frequently used expressions about familiar topics, communicate in simple routine tasks, and describe in simple terms your background, environment, and immediate needs.

What is the passing score for the CIPLE A2 exam?

You must score at least 55% overall. In addition, you must score at least 25% in each of the three components - Reading & Writing, Listening, and Speaking. If you fall below 25% in any single component, you fail the whole exam even if your total is above 55%.

How is the CIPLE exam structured?

The CIPLE has three components weighted differently: Reading Comprehension & Written Expression (45%), Listening Comprehension (30%), and Oral Production & Interaction (25%). The reading and writing section lasts about 75 minutes, listening about 30 minutes, and the speaking test about 15 minutes.

How much does the CIPLE exam cost?

The CIPLE exam fee is roughly EUR 75-85, but the exact amount varies by exam centre and country. Exam centres in Portugal are usually the most affordable, while centres abroad can charge noticeably more. Always confirm the current fee with your chosen accredited CAPLE centre.

How often is the CIPLE exam held?

CAPLE offers the CIPLE on fixed sitting dates each year, typically several sessions spread across the year, with registration deadlines weeks before each sitting. Places at popular exam centres fill up early, so candidates should register well ahead of their preferred date.

Do I need the CIPLE for Portuguese citizenship?

To apply for Portuguese nationality by naturalisation you must demonstrate knowledge of Portuguese at A2 level or higher. The CIPLE is the standard certificate that proves this, although other accepted proofs exist (such as completing certain Portuguese schooling or other recognised A2 certificates).