Participants will compete in 12 categories (7 regular and 5 special) based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and will take Gatehouse Awards examinations as well as Hippo Tests.
Students enrolled in lower grades than those indicated in the table may also compete if they feel prepared for the level. The age limit for the Contest is 19, or as long as the student is in high school.
The first table refers to the regular categories, while the second refers to the special categories.
Students enrolled in lower grades than those indicated in the table may also compete if they feel prepared for the level. The age limit for the Contest is 19, or as long as the student is in high school.
The first table refers to the regular categories, while the second refers to the special categories.
Regular Categories
BABY HIPPO
LITTLE HIPPO
HIPPO 1
HIPPO 2
HIPPO 3
HIPPO 4
HIPPO 5
CEFR Level Preliminary
CEFR Pre A1 YL
CEFR Pre A1 YL
CEFR A1 YL
CEFR A1
CEFR A2
CEFR B1
CEFR B2
CEFR National Finals and Finals
CEFR A1 YL
CEFR A1 YL
CEFR A2 YL
CEFR A2
CEFR B1
CEFR B2
CEFR C1
Special Categories (Bilingual Students)
SPECIAL 1
SPECIAL 2
SPECIAL 3
SPECIAL 4
SPECIAL 5
CEFR Level Preliminary
CEFR A1
CEFR A2
CEFR B1
CEFR B2
CEFR C1
CEFR Level NF & Finals
CEFR A2
CEFR B1
CEFR B2
CEFR C1
CEFR C2
Bilingual students may compete exclusively in one of the special categories. Students considered bilingual are those who were born or have lived and attended school for at least 3 years in an English-speaking country within the past 5 years, as well as those who live in a non-English-speaking country but attend an English/American international or specialised school.
International schools and schools where 50% or more of the subjects are taught in English (except in countries where English is the only official language, e.g. the UK) participate in the special categories. The percentage of the curriculum delivered in English may be revised in agreement with the country coordinators. These students may compete in one of the five special categories.
Baby Hippo and Little Hippo students, even if considered bilingual, will still compete in the regular categories.
International schools and schools where 50% or more of the subjects are taught in English (except in countries where English is the only official language, e.g. the UK) participate in the special categories. The percentage of the curriculum delivered in English may be revised in agreement with the country coordinators. These students may compete in one of the five special categories.
Baby Hippo and Little Hippo students, even if considered bilingual, will still compete in the regular categories.
CATEGORIES GRADE
Search for your country and read more about the grade of the categories.
Grades are counted from the first grade of primary school. For example, 13th grade is the thirteenth year of education, starting from the first year of school.
Grades are counted from the first grade of primary school. For example, 13th grade is the thirteenth year of education, starting from the first year of school.
Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan,Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.
GRADE
BABY HIPPO
LITTLE HIPPO
HIPPO 1
HIPPO 2
HIPPO 3
HIPPO 4
HIPPO 5
GRADE
1-2
3-4
5-6
7
8-9
10-11
12-13
BABY HIPPO
LITTLE HIPPO
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
GRADE
1-2
3-4
5-6
7
8-9
10-11
12-13
Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Guinea, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan and Tanzania.
