Welsh Canolradd (Intermediate, B1)
Welsh for Adults Intermediate (Canolradd) B1
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Canolradd/Intermediate qualification is the B1 level of WJEC's Welsh for Adults suite, Defnyddio'r Gymraeg. WJEC describes the suite as giving candidates the chance to show ability in speaking, listening, reading and writing Welsh at different levels, and places Canolradd at B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference. It is designed for adults who have learnt Welsh as a second language or are learning now - in evening or daytime classes, on intensive courses or on workplace courses. You do not need to be in a particular class to sit it, and you do not have to take the lower levels first. The suite carries the reference code 964004. WJEC publishes exam dates and a Candidate Information Booklet for each level, and registration runs through your exam centre or provider rather than directly with WJEC. Prepare by working across all four skills rather than only reading and writing: build listening stamina with authentic Welsh audio, practise speaking at length on familiar topics, and write regularly in different registers. Check the current booklet for the structure and timing of each component, since WJEC does not guarantee that an exam will be available in full in every area.
What you'll study
About Welsh Canolradd (Intermediate, B1) preparation
What level is Canolradd/Intermediate?
WJEC lists Intermediate/Canolradd as level 2 within its own suite and as B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference. In practice that means you can cope with everyday topics, understand the main points of clear standard Welsh, and express opinions at some length, though not with the range or accuracy expected at Uwch/Advanced (B2).
Which skills are examined?
WJEC states that the suite gives candidates an opportunity to show their ability in speaking, listening, reading and writing Welsh. Plan revision across all four rather than concentrating on reading and writing, which are often the easiest to practise alone. The Candidate Information Booklet for the level sets out what each component involves.
When is the exam held and when must I register?
WJEC lists Canolradd/Intermediate B1 on Friday, 18 June 2027, and states that the last date for registering for the summer 2027 exams is 1 March 2027. Registration is handled by your exam centre or provider, so contact them well before that deadline. WJEC also notes it cannot guarantee an exam will be available in full in your area.
Do I need to have passed Mynediad or Sylfaen first?
No. WJEC says it is not necessary to be in a specific class to sit the exams, or to have taken the lower level exams first. You can enter Canolradd directly if your Welsh is already around B1. Be realistic, though: the speaking and listening demands are well above A2, so a mock assessment with a tutor is a sensible check.
How do I register?
WJEC directs candidates to contact their exam centre or provider to register, and says details are available in the back of each booklet for candidates. WJEC and the exam centres cannot guarantee the exam will be available in full in your area, so ask early. If you are not attached to a class, ask a local provider whether they accept private entries.
How should I prepare?
Work on all four skills from the start. Listen to Welsh radio and podcasts regularly to build stamina for the listening component; speak aloud, record yourself and review; read short articles and note useful patterns; write short texts and get feedback. Use the Candidate Information Booklet for your level to see what each component asks of you.
What causes candidates to fall short at B1?
The usual problems are uneven skills - strong reading, weak speaking - and running out of things to say in the speaking test. Others are misreading the task in writing and answering a different question, and losing track in listening because they stop at one unknown word. Practise sustaining talk on familiar topics and answering follow-up questions.
Is this the same as a GCSE in Welsh?
No. The Welsh for Adults suite is a separate set of qualifications aimed at adults learning Welsh, distinct from WJEC's GCSE and A level Welsh qualifications. WJEC publishes it under its own reference code, 964004, with its own levels, dates and candidate booklets. Check the level and qualification name carefully when you register.
How long is the qualification valid, and can I resit?
The source material does not state a validity period or a retake policy for this qualification, so treat both as things to confirm with your exam centre. Do not assume a certificate expires after a set number of years. If you need a resit, ask your centre about the next available date when you get your result.