Exam Guide

CELPE-BRAS Exam Format: How the Exam Is Structured

The CELPE-BRAS exam has a unique format that sets it apart from other language proficiency tests. Instead of multiple-choice questions, it uses integrated, task-based assessments that evaluate your real-world ability to communicate in Brazilian Portuguese. This guide breaks down every part of the exam so you know exactly what to expect.

What is the CELPE-BRAS exam format?

The CELPE-BRAS exam has two required components: a three-hour written part and an oral interaction of about twenty minutes. In the written part, candidates complete four integrated tasks after interpreting video, audio, and written source material. Each instruction defines a purpose, audience, role, and text genre, so success depends on responding appropriately rather than displaying grammar in isolation. The oral part begins with a short conversation about the candidate's interests and background, then moves to discussions prompted by images, headlines, advertisements, or short texts. The interaction is recorded and evaluated for the candidate's ability to understand, develop, and sustain communication in Brazilian Portuguese. Certification is awarded at one of four levels, and the final certificate cannot exceed the lower result obtained across the written and oral components. Exact procedures, permitted materials, schedules, and identification rules should always be checked in the current INEP notice and guidance for candidates.

Primary source: INEP guidance for CELPE-BRAS candidates

Exam Overview

The CELPE-BRAS exam consists of two parts administered on separate days. Both parts must reach at least the Intermediário level for you to receive certification. Your final level is determined by the lower score of the two parts.

Written Part

Parte Escrita

3 hours: 3h
4 integrated tasks: 4

Oral Part

Parte Oral

20 minutes: 20m
Face-to-face interview: 1:1

Both parts must reach Intermediário level for certification. Final level = lower of the two scores.

Written Part (Parte Escrita) — 3 Hours

The written part is the core of the CELPE-BRAS exam. You complete four tasks in three hours, each based on a different source material. There are no grammar drills, vocabulary lists, or multiple-choice questions — every task requires you to produce an original text in a specific genre.

How Each Task Works

1
You receive source material — an audio recording, video clip, newspaper article, or infographic
2
You read the task instructions specifying what to write and for whom
3
You produce an original text in the required genre within approximately 45 minutes
4
Audio and video sources are played twice — you take notes while listening/watching

The 4 Written Tasks

1
Source: Audio recordingGenre: Formal letter, article, or editorial
Listen to a radio segment or podcast excerpt twice. Write a text responding to the content — typically a formal letter to an authority, a newspaper article, or an editorial expressing a position.
2
Source: Video clipGenre: Email, report, or informational text
Watch a TV news segment, documentary excerpt, or interview twice. Write a professional email, institutional report, or informational text based on the content.
3
Source: Printed text (article, chart, or infographic)Genre: Blog post, letter to editor, or argumentative text
Read a newspaper article, chart, or infographic. Write a text that requires you to interpret data, compare viewpoints, or construct an argument based on the source.
4
Source: Printed text or mixed mediaGenre: Summary, recommendation letter, or proposal
Read one or more source texts. Write a summary, recommendation, or proposal that demonstrates your ability to synthesize information and communicate it for a specific audience.

Important Details

You may write in pen only — no pencil, no eraser, no correction fluid
Dictionaries are not allowed
Electronic devices must be turned off and stored
You receive a separate answer sheet for each task
Minimum 150 words per task is generally expected, though not officially required

Oral Part (Parte Oral) — 20 Minutes

The oral exam is a face-to-face conversation with a trained CELPE-BRAS examiner. It is recorded for later evaluation by a second examiner. The interview follows a structured format but feels like a natural conversation.

5m
Introduction (5 minutes)
The examiner asks about your personal background, motivations for learning Portuguese, your life in Brazil or connection to Brazilian culture. This is a warm-up to establish rapport and assess your baseline conversational ability.
15m
Topic Discussions (15 minutes)
The examiner presents 2-3 provocative materials — photographs, headlines, short texts, cartoons, or advertisements related to Brazilian current events and social topics. You discuss each one, express opinions, develop arguments, and respond to follow-up questions.

Common Interview Topics

Education and university access in Brazil
Environment, sustainability, and urban development
Technology, social media, and digital culture
Health, public health policies, and lifestyle
Brazilian culture, arts, music, and traditions
Work, economy, and social inequality

The examiner is not testing your knowledge of these topics — they are evaluating how well you communicate about them in Portuguese. It is perfectly fine to say you are not familiar with a topic and redirect the conversation.

Evaluation Criteria

Both the written and oral parts are evaluated on the same core criteria. Understanding what examiners look for is essential for effective preparation.

Communicative Adequacy

Highest weight

Did you actually accomplish what the task asked? A beautifully written text that does not address the task instruction will score poorly. This is the most important criterion — always read the instructions twice.

Genre Appropriateness

High weight

Does your text follow the conventions of the requested genre? A formal letter needs proper greetings, closings, and register. An email has different conventions than a newspaper editorial. Each genre has specific structural expectations.

Textual Cohesion

High weight

Are your ideas logically connected? Do you use transitional words, paragraph breaks, and clear argumentation? The evaluator checks whether your text flows naturally from one idea to the next.

Linguistic Resources

Moderate weight

Grammar accuracy, vocabulary range, and spelling. While isolated errors will not ruin your score, a pattern of basic mistakes combined with limited vocabulary signals a lower proficiency level.

Pronunciation & Fluency

Oral part only

For the oral exam: clarity of pronunciation, natural rhythm, and ability to sustain conversation without excessive pausing or hesitation. A slight accent is expected and not penalized.

Certification Levels

Based on your scores in both parts, you receive one of four certification levels — or no certification if you do not reach the minimum threshold. Your final level equals the lower of your written and oral scores.

1
Intermediário
Communicates in limited everyday situations. Produces simple texts. Sufficient for basic university admission.
2
Intermediário Superior
Communicates in most everyday and some professional contexts. Required for many graduate programs.
3
Avançado
Communicates fluently in complex academic and professional contexts. Required for medical and legal licensing.
4
Avançado Superior
Near-native communicative competence. The highest and rarest CELPE-BRAS certification level.
No Certification
If either part scores below Intermediário, no certificate is issued. You may retake the exam at the next available date.

Preparation Tips by Section

For the Written Part

Practice writing in all genres: formal letters, emails, editorials, summaries, blog posts, reports
Always read the task instruction first, before the source material — know what you need to produce
Practice note-taking during audio and video — you only get to hear/watch twice
Time yourself: 45 minutes per task, no more
Focus on communicative adequacy — answer exactly what was asked

For the Oral Part

Read Brazilian news daily — you need opinions on current events
Practice speaking about topics for 3-5 minutes without stopping
Learn to redirect: if you do not know a topic, say so and offer a related perspective
Do not memorize speeches — examiners detect rehearsed responses immediately
Speak naturally, even with mistakes — fluency matters more than perfection

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the CELPE-BRAS exam?

The written part lasts about 3 hours and includes 4 tasks based on audio and video prompts plus reading texts. The oral part is a 20-minute face-to-face interview with an examiner.

What should I bring to the CELPE-BRAS exam?

Bring a valid photo ID (passport for foreigners), your registration confirmation, a black ballpoint pen, and a pencil. Electronic devices are not allowed in the exam room.

How is the CELPE-BRAS exam scored?

The exam awards four proficiency levels: Intermediário, Intermediário Superior, Avançado, and Avançado Superior. There is no pass/fail — your performance determines which certificate level you receive.

Can I take the CELPE-BRAS exam online?

No, the CELPE-BRAS exam must be taken in person at an authorized testing center. The oral part requires a face-to-face interview with an examiner.

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