Can you pass CIPLE A2 in 8 weeks?

Yes, if you already have A1 level Portuguese (basic knowledge). With focused, exam-format practice for 8 weeks (10-12 hours per week), you can reach A2 level and pass CIPLE A2. Complete beginners need 12-16 weeks.

How many hours of study do you need for CIPLE A2?

For A1 level students: 80-100 hours over 8-12 weeks (10-12 hours per week). For complete beginners: 100-120 hours over 12-16 weeks. For students near A2 level: 60-80 hours over 6-8 weeks. Quality of study (exam-format practice) matters more than quantity.

What is the best study schedule for CIPLE A2 in 8 weeks?

Study 10-12 hours per week: 2-3 hours daily, 4-5 days per week. Allocate time by weakness: if Listening is weak, spend 40% on Listening, 30% on Speaking, 30% on Reading+Writing. Use exam-format practice tests weekly to track progress. Rest 2 days per week to avoid burnout.

What should I focus on in the last 2 weeks before CIPLE A2?

In the final 2 weeks: take 2-3 full practice exams under real conditions, review weak areas, memorize high-frequency vocabulary, practice speaking with a tutor or language partner, and get 8+ hours of sleep per night. Avoid learning new grammar - focus on consolidating what you know.

Is 8 weeks enough to improve from A1 to A2?

Yes, with consistent, focused study. The key is exam-format practice (not general language learning) and targeting your weakest skills. Most A1 students can reach A2 level in 8 weeks with 10-12 hours per week of structured preparation.

How I Passed CIPLE A2 in 8 Weeks: My

I moved to Lisbon from São Paulo in 2021. Three years later, I had everything needed to apply for Portuguese citizenship — except one thing: a passing score on the CIPLE A2 exam.

I failed the first time. By four points. Eight weeks later, I passed with 71%. Here's exactly what I did differently.

Why I Failed the First Time

My first mistake: thinking that being a native Brazilian Portuguese speaker would be enough. It isn't — for two reasons.

First, European vs. Brazilian Portuguese. The CIPLE tests European Portuguese. The listening section uses European accents — reduced vowels, swallowed syllables. I kept missing words I technically knew in a different form.

Second, I didn't know the bureaucratic vocabulary. The writing task asked me to write a letter to the Câmara Municipal about a noise complaint. I froze. I didn't know requerimento, comprovativo, or how to close a formal letter in European Portuguese.

The 8-Week Plan That Actually Worked

Weeks 1–2: Diagnosis and vocabulary foundation

I downloaded the free preview deck from Prep2Go — 100 words. Result: I knew 60%. The 40% I didn't know were almost entirely from government services and housing — exactly where I'd failed.

I bought the full deck (1,000 words) and imported it into Anki. I started with the categories I was weakest in: Government Services, Housing, Documents. Daily routine: 20 minutes new cards in the morning (30–40 cards/day), 10 minutes reviewing failures in the evening. Audio for every single card — the listening section depends on it.

Weeks 3–4: Government services and formal language

This is where most people fail without understanding why. CIPLE writing tasks frequently require: requerimento (formal request), comprovativo (proof document), preencher (to fill in), prazo (deadline), validar (to validate).

I spent two weeks drilling just Government Services and Documents. I also wrote practice letters using the example sentences from the Prep2Go deck as templates — they're written in exam register, which saved me time.

Weeks 5–6: Listening and practice tests

By week 5 I had ~700 words solid in Anki. I shifted to practice tests using the Prep2Go CIPLE A2 simulator. Section-by-section readiness scores told me exactly where to focus: Reading 78%, Listening 65%, Writing 71%, Speaking 58%.

Week 7: Weak spots only

Stopped adding new cards. Drilled the ~150 flagged 'difficult' cards — mostly Healthcare and Time & Scheduling vocabulary. Words like marcar consulta, no prazo de, a partir de.

Week 8: Mock exams and calm

Two full mock exams, reviewing errors, then stopping. No new vocabulary in the final week — consolidation only.

Results: First vs. Second Attempt

Section        First attempt  Second attempt
Reading         61%           78%
Listening       49%           68%
Writing         58%           74%
Speaking        52%           65%
Overall         55% — FAIL    71% — PASS

The biggest improvements: Listening (+19 points) and Writing (+16 points) — exactly the sections where bureaucratic vocabulary matters most.

What I'd Tell Someone Starting Today

Start earlier than you think. 8 weeks works, but 10–12 weeks is more comfortable.

Don't ignore the audio. European Portuguese pronunciation requires ear training separately from reading comprehension.

Focus on the writing section early. Most people ignore it — it's where CIPLE catches you.

Download the free preview first. 100 words tells you which categories you need most.

Start with the free 100-word preview, then get the full deck: prep2go.study/shop/ciple-a2-anki-deck

Source: CAPLE - Camões Institute for Portuguese Language Certification

How I Passed CIPLE A2 in 8 Weeks: My Vocabulary Strategy