Rules and Regulations

The KGL Contest English Olympiad is an international English language competition. The International Testing Authority (ITA) organises it, and KGL Country Partners run it locally. It is aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The contest rests on three principles of fairness:

• Level-appropriate entry. Every candidate competes at their genuine current level.
• One standard. All candidates at a level are judged by the same criteria.
• Open access to the final. Qualifying candidates are not required to pay an additional contest fee to progress to the National Finals or to the Global Event.

The contest is open to students up to the age of 17 who are learning English as a foreign language.

The contest is open only to students entering at their current level of English. Native speakers of English, and candidates already above their intended entry level, whether certified or not, may not enter that level.

You must register through your school or KGL Country Partner, following the procedure published for your country.

You must enter at the CEFR level that reflects your current English proficiency, not your age, school year or coursebook. This rule protects candidates who enter at their current level: awarding places to candidates performing above their level would be unfair to other contestants at that level.

Parts of the KGL tests may appear challenging. They are pitched at the upper end of each level and include some elements from the next level.

Before registering, check your level in two ways:

• use the KGL eligibility checker; and
• try the automatically marked past papers online, alongside your teacher's assessment of your independent work.

Levels offered. Pre-A1, A1, A2, B1 and B2 are offered in all countries. A1 Senior and C1 are offered only in countries where ITA has made a specific announcement, and on request.

Eligibility by level and age. Your current level determines your entry eligibility. Each level also has a maximum age.

● Eligible — Not eligible

*A1 Senior is available only where announced by ITA. C1 eligibility is published with each ITA announcement for that country.

A1 or A1 Senior. Where both are offered, you may enter A1 or A1 Senior, not both. A candidate who has completed A1 progresses to A2, not A1 Senior.

Retaking a level. If you took part in the previous contest but did not reach the National Finals and are still at the level, you may retake the same level in the next contest only, provided you also meet the age limits above.

One level throughout. You compete at the level you registered for in every stage of the contest.

The contest has three stages:

1. Stage 1

   Discovery

   A multiple-choice test of reading, vocabulary and grammar, lasting 45–60 minutes depending on level. Every candidate receives a certificate.

2. Stage 2

   National Finals

   Top-performing Discovery candidates compete nationally. The test includes listening, reading and a writing task.

3. Stage 3

   Global Event

   Country Partners may send up to four national finalists (one at each level), depending on their eligible quota according to entries.

Stage dates vary by country. Your contest dates are those published for your country by ITA and your KGL Country Partner.

Entries must be submitted through the procedure set by your KGL Country Partner, by the deadline published for your country.

Entries cannot be accepted after the closing date.

Fees and payment terms are set by your KGL Country Partner. Check that names, dates of birth and levels are correct before the closing date for entries.

Follow the instructions of the invigilator and of your school or test centre.

You may not bring or use a mobile phone, smartwatch, translator or any electronic device; notes or dictionaries; or any AI tool. Using any of these may lead to disqualification.

You must work alone. Teachers and invigilators may not help you with the content of the test.

Level Verification. KGL monitors candidates' writing at the National Finals and at the Global Finals to make sure every candidate has entered at their current level.

How it works.

1. Step 1

   Independent level assessment

   CEFR specialists assess your writing without seeing your name, country or entry level.

2. Step 2

   Marking at your entered level

   Separate markers mark your writing against the criteria for your entered level and check it is consistent with that level.

3. Step 3

   Comparison and review

   KGL compares the two findings and examines any material mismatch more closely.

Mixed-level language is normal. Using some language from a higher level is expected; for example, some B1 language in an A2 response. Occasional advanced words or structures do not, by themselves, show that you entered at the wrong level. A review concerns writing that consistently shows a materially higher level, and a high mark alone does not establish this.

Write naturally. Answer the task and do your best. Do not hide your ability, simplify your writing artificially or add errors deliberately.

Outcome. Writing that consistently demonstrates a materially higher level affects your writing mark and your eligibility to progress. Where the review confirms that you entered materially below your demonstrated level:

• your entry may be disqualified;
• you may not proceed to the Global Finals in that category; and
• no candidate performing above their entered level is awarded a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, nationally or globally.

Qualifying from Discovery does not, by itself, confirm that your entry level is correct.

Other misconduct. Candidates who break these rules, copy or use unauthorised assistance may be disqualified at any stage. Prizes and places may be withdrawn if a breach is found after the results are published.

Discovery answer sheets are marked electronically. No further feedback on marks is given.

At the National Finals, the writing task is marked only for high-scoring candidates, to decide the winning places and the Commended category.

Writing must match your entered level (see section 7).

Discovery results are released about three weeks after the test. National Finals rankings are published about one month after the National Finals. You can check results on the KGL Results Portal. No detailed score breakdown is given for the National Finals.

Every candidate receives a certificate.

Ties. Where candidates have the same score, the youngest candidate is awarded the higher place. This applies to the National Finals and the Global Event Final Test.

Reaching the National Finals. Candidates qualify for the National Finals in three ways:

• On merit, by Discovery score.
• School Guaranteed Places. Each school receives one guaranteed National Finals place for every 10 entries.
• KGL Rescue Cards, under the scheme published on the KGL website.

National awards. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and Commended candidates at each level receive certificates and awards from the KGL Country Partner.

Global Event finalists. The 1st place National Finals winner at A1, A2, B1 and B2 in each country may be invited to the Global Event. There is no Global Event category for Pre-A1; Pre-A1 winners receive their national prizes.

Global prizes.

Prize money is processed within 20 days of the Global Finals.

Global Event conditions.

• Finalists and accompanying teachers or school representatives must confirm attendance, travel arrangements and, where needed, visas by the stipulated deadlines. Finalists whose visa is not issued in time may be unable to take part.
• The final list of participants is confirmed after the stipulated deadline.
• Only finalists, teachers or school representatives, and KGL Country Partners may participate in the Global Finals.
• Schools with fewer than 10 Discovery entries may not send a representative to the Global Event.
• Finalists share twin rooms by gender, age and level; teachers share twin rooms. Breakfast and dinner are included.

School recognition. Schools with winners receive certificates of recognition. Schools are awarded International School Partner status (Platinum, Gold or Silver) according to their number of entries.

If you wish to appeal, you must do so through your KGL Country Partner, not directly to ITA.

Through your KGL Country Partner, you may request an external remark and inquiry report. The fee is €35.

By allowing a child to take part, parents and guardians accept these rules on the child's behalf.

By taking part, candidates and their parents or guardians agree that winners' names, and photographs taken at the Global Event, may be published.

Personal data is used only to run the contest and is shared with KGL Country Partners for that purpose.

ITA-KGL may amend or cancel the contest at any time. If the contest is cancelled, fees paid will be refunded through the KGL Country Partner.

Candidates who do not comply with these rules may be disqualified at any stage of the competition.

ITA-KGL interprets these rules. Where a translation differs from the English version, the English version applies.