CIMA

The next CIMA session at IMA will take place on November 23rd, 2024.

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Do you wish to evaluate your level in modern standard Arabic and obtain a certificate that will officially assess your skills? Do you also want a valued document to present to your current or future employer? Then, CIMA is your answer!

Introducing CIMA

Developed by the Arab World Institute based on other tests like TOEIC and TCF, CIMA, which stands for “Certificat International de Maîtrise en Arabe”, or International Certificate for Arabic Proficiency, is the first internationally recognized certification that assesses one’s proficiency in modern standard Arabic.
  • The test is intended for anyone above 15 years old.
  • It costs 156 euros if taken at IMA. In other centers, the price may differ according to their policy (the list of accredited centers can be found in How to pass CIMA).
  • The test lasts three hours (including breaks) and is made up of four tasks: oral comprehension, written comprehension, speaking and writing.
  • If you validate any level starting A1, you will obtain a certificate proving your level according to the CEFR scale: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2.

Why seek an Arabic certification?

Because Arabic is:

  • An international language
    - Arabic is the official language of twenty-two countries and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

  • In “full bloom”
    - Arabic has seen its presence increase prodigiously on the internet over the last few years: 5000% since 2000 according to E2F, and a 9348% annual increase in 2022 according to VerboLabs.
    - Because France and the Arab world have a strong relationship and historical ties.
    - North Africa and the Middle East are privileged economic partners of France.

  • An asset in many sectors
    - In the French professional world, Arabic is the comes fifth on the list of the most searched for languages, especially in the following sectors: journalism, tourism, humanitarian, luxury and fashion, construction, national security and defense, diplomacy, culture, banks and insurance.

Why choose CIMA?

CIMA is the only test that…
  • Evaluates with such exigence all skills necessary to communication in modern standard Arabic, the most internationally used form of the Arabic language.
  • Suggests an evaluation for all levels, from A1 till C2.
  • Is recognized on an international level.
To pass CIMA is to…
  • Give value to your Arabic expertise and multiply your chances with recruiters.
  • Contribute to the dynamic of Arabic in the professional field and give a competitive advantage to your company.

     

Session CIMA à l'IMA, 18 juin 2022 © Alice Sidoli / IMA
Session CIMA à l'Institut du monde arabe, 18 juin 2022. Alice Sidoli / IMA
Session CIMA à l'IMA, 18 juin 2022 © Alice Sidoli / IMA
Session CIMA à l'Institut du monde arabe, 18 juin 2022. Alice Sidoli / IMA
Alice Sidoli / IMA
Session CIMA à l'IMA, 18 juin 2022 © Alice Sidoli / IMA
CIMA session at IMA, 18 June 2022. Alice Sidoli / IMA

How to take the test

CIMA takes place in examination centers accredited by the Arab World Institute.

Around 80 centers are currently accredited all over the world.

The test is made up of four tasks:

  • Oral comprehension: Multiple choice questions (60 minutes)

  • Written comprehension: Multiple choice questions (60 minutes)

  • Writing: 3 subtasks (60 minutes)

  • Speaking: 3 subtasks (11 minutes)

For an overview or trial, download the mock test:

Examen factice CIMA.pdf (1.24 MB)

 
ATTENTION: the oral comprehension and written comprehension tests are much longer in reality: they are each made up of 44 questions. However, the presentation of both is loyal to our exam conditions.
The Arab World Institute develops and corrects all tasks and tests.

The candidate receives a certificate with a three-year validity attesting to his level.
This certificate gives the candidate a global level in addition to the competency level as shown in the example below:

 

Today, the accredited centers are:

Want to become an accredited exam center?

Go to our platform, create your account, and complete your accreditation request.

 

More questions about CIMA ?

Guide du Candidat CIMA V09-05-2022.pdf (1.31 MB) Guide du Candidat -FR CIMA UNIQUE V9-5-2022.pdf (1.25 MB)

Conditions générales de vente :  CIMA CGV France - v1.pdf (120.33 KB)

Collecte des données :  CIMA - collecte des données - v1.pdf (66.3 KB)

cima - collecte des données - v1.pdf (66.3 KB) cima@imarabe.org

You can also contact the CIMA team by sending a message to the following address: cima@imarabe.org

Choose CIMA!

Product of a French-Arabic partnership // Developed, implemented and corrected by IMA // Evaluates the 6 levels of CEFR (A1, A2, B1 B2, C1, C2) // Assessment of written and oral skills // Recognized by France Compétences // Internationally recognized // Already about eighty accredited centers in the world // Significant professional use
For further

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