1.2 CEFR Levels A2–C1, KSGAAL's Descriptors & the Score Report
Key Takeaways
Hamza measures four CEFR levels, A2, B1, B2 and C1; KSGAAL says a result below A2 means the requirements of the beginner level were not met.
KSGAAL's score report shows the overall score and level, named with the labels التمهيدي، المبتدئ، المتوسط، فوق المتوسط، المتقدم, plus a score and level for each of the four skills.
KSGAAL publishes no pass/fail mark, numeric score scale or validity period; universities, scholarship bodies and employers set their own required level.
KSGAAL's C1 descriptor stresses understanding long, difficult texts and their implicit meanings, and using Arabic fluently and spontaneously in social, academic and professional fields.
Because each skill receives its own level, a weak skill shows on the report even when the overall level is high, so plan practice for all four skills.
1.2 CEFR Levels A2–C1, KSGAAL's Descriptors & the Score Report
Note
Quick Reference: KSGAAL says Hamza is built on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (الإطار الأوروبي المرجعي المشترك للغات). It measures four CEFR levels, A2, B1, B2 and C1, across listening, reading, writing and speaking. The report gives an overall score and level and a score and level for each skill.
The CEFR in One Paragraph
The CEFR describes language ability in six levels. A1 and A2 are basic user levels, B1 and B2 independent user levels, and C1 and C2 proficient user levels. Each level is defined by can-do statements, practical descriptions of what a learner can understand and produce, rather than by lists of grammar rules. Hamza covers the four levels that matter most for study and work, A2 to C1. It does not certify A1 or C2.
KSGAAL says it built Hamza's criteria and indicators on the CEFR "while taking the characteristics of the Arabic language into account". Its descriptors therefore read like the CEFR, applied to Arabic.
KSGAAL's Level Descriptors
The table translates the descriptors on KSGAAL's official Hamza page.
| Level | KSGAAL descriptor (translated) | What it means for preparation |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Understands difficult, long spoken and written texts with ease and grasps their implicit meanings; writes clear, solid, detailed texts on complex topics; expresses themself spontaneously; uses the language fluently and effectively in social, academic and professional fields. | Practise long academic texts, implied meaning and spontaneous extended speech. |
| B2 | Understands the main ideas of difficult spoken and written texts on general topics, including technical discussions in their field; writes clear, detailed texts in many fields; interacts with some fluency and spontaneity. | Practise argument-heavy texts, detailed essays and sustained discussion. |
| B1 | Understands the main ideas of familiar spoken and written texts on recurring topics; writes simple, connected texts on familiar subjects; describes events and wishes and gives reasons and explanations. | Practise connected paragraphs and giving reasons for opinions. |
| A2 | Understands frequent spoken and written sentences and expressions related to personal needs; writes on topics within their needs; speaks in simple, routine tasks. | Secure everyday vocabulary and basic sentence patterns. |
| Below A2 | KSGAAL says this outcome means the candidate has not met the requirements of the beginner level. | Build A1–A2 foundations before sitting the test. |
Notice what changes between levels:
- A2 → B1: from isolated sentences about personal needs to connected text on familiar topics, with reasons and explanations.
- B1 → B2: from familiar topics to difficult texts and technical discussion, with detailed writing and more spontaneous interaction.
- B2 → C1: from main ideas to implicit meaning in long texts, and from detailed writing to well-structured writing on complex topics.
What the Score Report Shows
KSGAAL says the Hamza result report shows:
- The overall test score and level. The levels are named with five Arabic labels: التمهيدي (preliminary), المبتدئ (beginner), المتوسط (intermediate), فوق المتوسط (upper-intermediate) and المتقدم (advanced).
- The score and level for each of the four skills: listening (فهم المسموع), reading (استيعاب المقروء), writing (الكتابة) and speaking (التحدث).
KSGAAL's pages do not print a table that matches each Arabic label to a CEFR level, so read your own report to see how the two are shown together.
What KSGAAL does not publish:
- a numeric score scale or the cut scores between levels;
- a pass/fail mark;
- how long a result remains valid.
Universities, scholarship programmes and employers decide which level they accept. A university may set one level for an Arabic-taught degree and a lower one for a preparatory language programme. Get the requirement in writing from the institution.
Which Arabic Does Hamza Measure?
KSGAAL describes Hamza as a test of Arabic for academic purposes, built on general and academic texts. Its descriptors talk about understanding texts and writing clearly in social, academic and professional settings. For speaking, KSGAAL lists linguistic correctness (الصحة اللغوية) and cultural appropriateness in word choice; for writing, it lists linguistic soundness. All of this points to Modern Standard Arabic (الفصحى المعاصرة), the shared written and formal spoken standard of the Arab world. KSGAAL does not publish a rule about dialect use. The safe strategy is still to answer in Fusha, because regional colloquial forms (العامية) work against the linguistic correctness the test describes.
Turning a Target Level into a Plan
- Get the target in writing. Find the level your university, scholarship or employer requires (overall, and per skill if they specify one).
- Self-place against the descriptors. Read the table above for each skill separately. Many learners are a level apart between receptive skills (listening, reading) and productive skills (writing, speaking).
- Close the biggest gap first. The report shows a level for each skill, so a weak skill shows even if your overall level is high.
- Train the jump, not the level. If you are B1 aiming for B2, practise what is new at B2: difficult texts, technical discussion and detailed writing.
Important
Ignore lists that claim fixed "Hamza score bands" (for example 70–84 = B2) or a two-year validity period. KSGAAL has not published either. Rely on your own score report and the written requirement of the institution you are applying to.
Which CEFR levels does KSGAAL say the Hamza test measures?
A1 to C2, all six levels
A2 to C1, four levels
B1 to C2, four levels
A1 to B2, four levels
What does KSGAAL say a Hamza score report shows?
Only a pass or fail decision, with no level or skill information
A single percentile rank against everyone who tested that year
A grammar score and a vocabulary score, with no skill results
The overall score and level, plus a score and level for each skill
A scholarship website says you need 'a Hamza score of 70 out of 100, valid for two years'. What does KSGAAL's official information support?
Hamza scores always run from 0 to 100, so the requirement is the standard official one
All Hamza results expire after exactly two years, just as IELTS results do
KSGAAL publishes no score scale or validity period, so ask the scholarship body what it accepts
A score of 70 is the official KSGAAL pass mark that every institution must use
According to KSGAAL's descriptors, what most distinguishes C1 from B2?
Grasping implicit meaning in long texts and using Arabic fluently and spontaneously
Writing simple, connected texts on familiar subjects and giving reasons
Understanding frequent sentences and expressions about personal needs
Interacting with some fluency and spontaneity on general topics and technical discussions
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.