The EF Standard English Test (EF SET) has become a global standard for free English assessments, widely featured on LinkedIn profiles and CVs. While it is an excellent tool for measuring reading and listening skills, it has one major vulnerability: it does not evaluate speaking. Without an oral component, your EF SET certificate is only half a credential.
AI Quick Answer: Does the EF SET include a speaking test?
No. The EF SET (both the 15-minute Quick Check and the 50-minute Standard English Test) only measures Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension. It does not test or certify your English speaking ability. To get a complete CEFR profile, you must use a separate speaking assessment.
Why Spoken English is the Core of Professional Fluency
In the global job market, reading emails and listening to briefings is only half the battle. High-value international roles require you to lead kickoffs, negotiate contracts, and de-escalate client conflicts in English. Companies need to know how you communicate verbally. Here is why relying solely on an EF SET score is risky:
| Language Skill | What EF SET Measures | What Employers Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Reading & Listening | Passive recognition of text, syntax, and speech. | "Can they understand the documents we send them?" |
| Spoken English | Not Measured by EF SET | "Can they confidently present to clients and manage team projects verbally?" |
How to Complete Your CEFR Certificate
To claim a complete CEFR level (such as B2 or C1), you must standardise your oral scores alongside your receptive ones. Here is how you can build a complete, professional English speaking credential:
- Verify Spontaneous Speech: Receptive tests do not measure vocabulary retrieval speed. You need to verify that you can retrieve and speak professional terms without long, disruptive pauses.
- Acquire Verified Credentials: Adding a speaking certificate next to your EF SET listening and reading score proves to recruiters that you possess the practical, active communication skills needed for the workplace.
- Identify Pronunciation Barriers: Receptive tests cannot identify if your pronunciation, word stress, or intonation patterns cause difficulty for international teams.
"Most learners score one full band lower in speaking than they do in reading and listening. If you scored C1 on EF SET, your actual spoken English level might be closer to B2. It is critical to test this before job interviews."
The Native Examiner Speaking Solution
Rather than leaving your speaking skills untested, you can complete your profile today using our specialised speaking simulator. It is designed to evaluate your spoken English under realistic professional scenarios.
Get a Complete, Verified CEFR Speaking Report
- Real Native Tutors: All submissions are reviewed and graded by qualified examiners with over 15 years of experience.
- Comprehensive 4-Stage Review: We grade your performance across Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Pronunciation.
- LinkedIn Ready: Receive an official HTML certificate and a vector A4 PDF certificate to link to your CV and social profiles.
Complete your CEFR profile by taking our interactive speaking test simulator. For just £14.99, get graded by an expert native examiner and receive your official certificate. Check out our guides on European high school speaking standards and read our overview of the CEFR marking levels.