A2 Portuguese (CIPLE) Practice Test

How this works

To apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation, the law requires you to prove A2-level knowledge of Portuguese (Law 37/81, art. 6). CIPLE, run by CAPLE at the University of Lisbon, is the best-known test — but some documents can replace it. This simulator has two parts: an exemption checker and a practice run of original A2-level questions.

1. 1
   First, check if you even need the test
   For naturalisation, knowledge of Portuguese (level A2) can be proven in several ways — not only by CIPLE. A school certificate for schooling done in Portuguese, or an A2 CAPLE certificate you already hold, count as accepted proof. Part 1 walks through those routes.
2. 2
   What CIPLE and level A2 mean
   CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira) is CAPLE’s A2-level exam, at the University of Lisbon. It tests reading, listening, writing and speaking/interaction. A2 is the "basic user": simple everyday sentences, not fluency.
3. 3
   How the practice is scored
   Part 2 has original practice questions on reading, grammar and vocabulary at A2 level. Each answer shows at once whether you got it right and why. At the end we compare your score with a 55% line — an approximation of the pass mark, for orientation only.
4. 4
   What this is not
   These questions are original and do not reproduce the official exam. Passing here does not guarantee passing CIPLE, and any decision on exemption is always the IRN / Central Registry’s, based on the documents you submit.