Welsh for Adults Exams: Mynediad to Uwch Levels and 2027 Dates

WJEC runs the Welsh for Adults exams, a set of qualifications called Defnyddio'r Gymraeg. They test speaking, listening, reading and writing, and they're open to adults learning Welsh in an evening or daytime class, on an intensive course, at work, or outside a class. You don't have to take the lower levels first.

1. Mynediad (Entry)

   After the Cwrs Mynediad, or halfway through Cwrs Wlpan

   • CEFR A1
2. Sylfaen (Foundation)

   After the Cwrs Sylfaen or Cwrs Wlpan

   • CEFR A2
3. Canolradd (Intermediate)

   After the Cwrs Canolradd or Cwrs Pellach

   At the same level as second-language Welsh at GCSE.

   • CEFR B1
4. Uwch (Advanced)

   After the Cwrs Uwch

   At the same level as second-language Welsh at A level. It doesn't count toward the UCAS tariff.

   • CEFR B2

Every level has listening, speaking, reading and writing tests, and Uwch adds a grammar test. Speaking counts for about half the marks: 55% at Mynediad, 50% at Sylfaen, 55% at Canolradd and 45% at Uwch. The speaking test is recorded, and your center may hold it online.

At Canolradd and Uwch, part of the speaking mark comes from a conversation you record before the exam with a fluent Welsh speaker. Send it to your center by May 5, 2027. For Uwch, you also send in a short piece about yourself, up to 300 words, by June 5, 2027.

Mynediad is pass or fail. At the other levels, you usually need 60% to pass, and 80% at Canolradd or Uwch gives you a Distinction. Your marks come about eight weeks after the exam, and the certificate usually arrives at the end of September.

The exams run on set days, mostly in June, with one extra Mynediad exam in January.

The June Mynediad exam has two sittings: one on June 15 and one on the evening of June 16. You register through your exam center or your course provider, and their details are at the back of each candidate booklet. WJEC can't promise that every exam runs in full in every area.

Listening and reading make up about a third of the marks at every level. For both, the best practice is Welsh you mostly understand, known as comprehensible input.

• 🎧Listen and Follow the WordsA few times a week, play a short Welsh recording and follow its text on the page. Pick ones where most words are already familiar.
• 📝Work Through Past PapersPractice past papers with your tutor, and watch the speaking test videos for your level before exam day.