Date of the last update: 28.09.2026
The Advanced English Matura is an important test of language skills acquired during secondary school for many students. A high score can be relevant when applying to university, but it can also provide a solid foundation for further language development.
However, it is important to remember that the Advanced Matura result is not equivalent to achieving a specific CEFR level. This means that even a very high score should not automatically be described as B2 or C1.
So, what can we say about the language level of someone who performs well in the Advanced English Matura? And after finishing secondary school, is it worth obtaining an IELTS or Cambridge English certificate?
Table of contents:
- What English Level Does the Advanced Matura Correspond To?
- What Skills Does the Advanced English Matura Test?
- What Should You Do With Your English After the Matura?
- IELTS After the Matura – Who Is It a Good Choice For?
- Cambridge English – A Certificate Linked to a CEFR Level
- Do You Need to Take Another Language Exam After the Matura?
- Which Exam Should You Choose After the Matura?
- How Can You Determine Your English Level After the Matura?
- What Does a Good Advanced Matura Result Give You?
- Summary
- FAQ
What English Level Does the Advanced Matura Correspond To?
Foreign language proficiency can be described using, among other frameworks, the CEFR, or Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It consists of six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
However, the Advanced English Matura has not been formally assigned to any of these levels. The exam result is therefore not a certificate confirming, for example, C1 proficiency.
The scope of the material and the examination requirements mean that the language skills needed to achieve a good result provide a foundation for functioning at B2 level. A student who achieves a very high score and also performs well across all language skills may, however, be ready to continue learning at C1 level.
What Skills Does the Advanced English Matura Test?
The exam covers several key areas of language proficiency. It primarily assesses:
- Listening comprehension,
- Reading comprehension,
- Knowledge of language structures,
- Written production.
Exam tasks include areas related to grammar and vocabulary. Students must be able to use language structures appropriately, complete word-formation and transformation tasks, and correctly apply specific grammatical constructions.
The range of these skills partly overlaps with the competencies assessed in international language examinations.
What Should You Do With Your English After the Matura?
Finishing secondary school does not have to mean the end of systematic language learning. After the Matura, there are several possible paths, and the best choice depends on how English will be needed in the future.
Possible options include:
- Preparing for IELTS,
- Taking a Cambridge English examination,
- Continuing to learn without taking another exam,
- Developing academic English,
- Learning specialist or professional English.
Anyone planning to study or build a career outside Poland should first check the requirements of the specific university, company, or institution. These requirements determine which document confirming English proficiency will be accepted.
Do You Need a B2, C1, or C2 Certificate Before the Matura?
Obtaining a language certificate at B2, C1, or C2 level does not automatically exempt a student from the requirement to take the Matura examination.
However, taking such an exam can be a valuable experience. A student who has previously taken, for example, Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency is already familiar with the nature of a language examination. They know how to manage the time limit and deal with tasks assessing different language competencies.
As a result, taking the Matura may feel more familiar and predictable.
It is also worth looking at a language certificate from a broader perspective rather than only in terms of the Matura. It can also be useful during later stages of education and in a professional career.
Cambridge certificates are accepted by many universities around the world. However, before applying, you should always check the current requirements of the specific higher education institution and degree programme.
A document confirming English proficiency can also be relevant at Polish universities. Depending on the regulations of a particular institution, an external certificate may provide grounds for exemption from certain language classes or an examination.
Taking the exam itself should not mean the end of learning either. Someone with B2 proficiency can treat this level as a foundation for further work towards C1 and, if needed, C2. At C1 level, regular use of the language may be particularly important: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
IELTS After the Matura – Who Is It a Good Choice For?
IELTS is one of the most popular examinations used to demonstrate English proficiency. It is particularly often chosen by people who need documentation recognised by universities or institutions abroad.
The exam assesses four basic language skills:
- Listening,
- Reading,
- Writing,
- Speaking.
One characteristic feature of IELTS is that it does not follow the traditional division into B2, C1, or C2 examinations. Results are reported on the nine-band IELTS scale, which indicates the candidate’s level of proficiency.
Each part of the exam receives its own score, and candidates also receive an Overall Band Score. For example, a candidate might receive 6.5 in Listening, 7.0 in Reading, 6.0 in Writing, and 6.5 in Speaking. The final score is calculated based on the results from all four components and may be rounded to a whole or half band.
IELTS can be useful, among other things, when applying to universities abroad, moving to another country, and in certain professional processes.
For university applicants, IELTS Academic is the version most commonly chosen. IELTS General Training, on the other hand, focuses more on the everyday and professional use of English.
Cambridge English – A Certificate Linked to a CEFR Level
Another option is Cambridge English Qualifications. Unlike IELTS, individual Cambridge examinations are linked to specific CEFR levels.
The best-known exams include:
- B2 First – B2 level,
- C1 Advanced – C1 level,
- C2 Proficiency – C2 level.
B2 First or C1 Advanced?
The decision should not be based solely on the percentage score achieved in the Matura. What matters more is how the candidate actually uses English across all language skills.
Cambridge B2 First can be a good option for someone who wants to officially confirm their English proficiency at B2 level.
C1 Advanced is intended for more advanced learners who can use English effectively in demanding situations, including those related to university studies or professional work.
If you are unsure which examination is right for you, it is worth taking a placement test beforehand or consulting a teacher.
Do You Need to Take Another Language Exam After the Matura?
Not necessarily.
If no university, company, or institution requires a specific certificate, taking another exam may not be necessary. In this situation, the time that would otherwise be spent preparing for an examination can be used to develop practical language skills.
After the Matura, the following areas can be particularly useful:
- Working on speaking English more fluently and confidently,
- Expanding your vocabulary,
- Writing formal messages and academic texts,
- Preparing presentations,
- Learning business and professional vocabulary.
It is also a good time to move away from a typically school-based approach to learning. At university and in the workplace, English is often used primarily as a communication tool rather than simply as a subject that needs to be passed in an exam.
Which Exam Should You Choose After the Matura?
The most important question is: why do you need proof of your English proficiency?
| Goal | Possible option |
| Studying outside Poland | IELTS Academic or the examination specified by the university |
| Formal confirmation of B2 | Cambridge B2 First |
| Formal confirmation of C1 | Cambridge C1 Advanced |
| Moving abroad | IELTS or the certificate required by the relevant institution |
| Developing English without a certificate | A course, conversation classes, or self-study |
| Developing professional English | A specialist course or a professional English examination (OET, Linguaskill Business) |
When it comes to studying abroad or other formal procedures, it is not worth choosing an examination solely based on its popularity. The requirements of the specific institution are what ultimately matter.
How Can You Determine Your English Level After the Matura?
The Matura result can be a useful indication, but it does not always provide a complete picture of someone’s language skills.
This is particularly important when deciding between B2 First and C1 Advanced. A good first step may be to take a placement test. It is also worth assessing each of the four main skills: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
Talking to a language teacher can also be helpful. A teacher can assess not only your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, but also your fluency, accuracy, and ability to communicate comfortably.
Moving from one CEFR level to the next requires regular practice. Cambridge estimates that around 200 hours of learning are needed on average to progress between successive CEFR levels. This is not a fixed rule, however. The pace of learning depends, among other things, on previous language knowledge, the intensity of classes, and how frequently you use or encounter English.
What Does a Good Advanced Matura Result Give You?
A high score in the Advanced Matura can provide a solid foundation for further development. However, there is no need to automatically assume that the next step must be another examination.
It is worth defining your own goal first:
- IELTS can be particularly useful if you need an internationally recognised exam result, for example in connection with university studies or moving abroad.
- Cambridge B2 First allows you to formally confirm English proficiency at B2 level.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced is an option for people whose skills correspond to C1 level and who want to obtain an official certificate.
- Continuing to learn without taking another exam may be the best choice if you do not need formal documentation and your main goal is to use English more effectively in practice.
Summary
The Advanced English Matura is not formally equivalent to a single CEFR level. Therefore, even a very high result should not automatically be described as B2 or C1.
What you should do after the Matura depends primarily on your future plans. If you are planning to study abroad, you may need to obtain an IELTS Academic certificate or take another examination accepted by the university. If you simply want to formally confirm a particular level of English, a Cambridge examination may be a good option – B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
If you do not need a certificate, continuing to learn without taking another exam can be an equally valuable choice.
The Advanced Matura can therefore be more than just the final test of your school-based language learning. It can also be a starting point for a more conscious and purposeful approach to developing your English.
FAQ
Does 100% in the Advanced English Matura mean C1 level?
No. The Advanced Matura is not formally linked to any CEFR level, so even a maximum score is not official proof of C1. If you need a document confirming that level, you have to pass a certified exam such as C1 Advanced.
Can you get a C1 certificate from the B2 First exam?
Yes. Cambridge results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale. Candidates who score 180–190 in B2 First receive a certificate confirming C1 level. This is a good option if you are not sure you are ready for C1 Advanced.
Do Cambridge certificates expire?
Cambridge English certificates have no expiry date. Some universities and institutions, however, require a result obtained within a specific period before application, so always check their rules. IELTS results are usually accepted for two years from the test date.
When is the best time to take a Cambridge exam after the Matura?
Ideally soon after the Matura, while the material and your exam routine are still fresh. Check dates and registration deadlines with the exam centre in advance, as registration closes several weeks before each session.
Do you need a preparation course for a Cambridge exam?
It is not required. A course helps you learn the exam format, practise time management and get feedback on Writing and Speaking, which are hard to prepare for on your own. Working in a small group also makes it easier to prepare calmly, without pressure.
