A language test is a tool to measure your level in a language you're learning. There are different categories of language tests including general proficiency tests, placement tests prior to a language course and graduation or achievement tests after a course.

Language tests can also assess different skills including reading and listening comprehension, speaking, writing, vocabulary and grammar.

The Common European Frame of Reference for languages or CEFR defines six broad language levels based on a set of statements about what you can do at each level. The CEFR is the most common language level reference used in Europe.

You can know your CEFR level in a particular language by taking a language test that is aligned to the CEFR. Your score on that test will be given in terms of the CEFR levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.

Language tests are more or less accurate depending on a number of factors: test design, length, completeness and test taker behavior.

The accuracy level you require for a language test depends on what you plan to do with your score. Universities making admissions decisions tend to require very accurate language tests like TOEFL or IELTS. A language learner may only want to get a sense of their language level to know if they're making progress. For that purpose, it is better to take a test that measures progress though the curriculum you're following.

The best way to prepare for a language test is to improve your language skills. Low-stakes general language tests do not require any more specific preparation. However, if you will be paying to take a high-stakes language exam, you may want to take a preparation course to achieve the maximum score on your first try. Language test preparation courses usually last 8 to 12 weeks.