Congratulations if you got to this page. It means that you’re on the right path to obtain an important English certificate.
What is the Cambridge C1 Advanced Certificate? (Previously known as CAE)
The Cambridge Advanced Certificate is an high-level qualification that shows you have the language skills that employers and universities require.
What is the Test like?
The test consists of 4 parts, which will test you on your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking skills, and language (vocabulary and grammar) knowledge.
Key facts
| CEFR level: | C1 |
|---|---|
| Scale score: | 180–199 |
| Test format: | Computer or paper-based |
| No. of papers: | 4 |
| Exam length: | About 4 hours |
Test 1 – English Usage & Reading Test (1h30)
Test 2 – Writing Test (1h30)
Test 3 – Listening Test (40 minutes)
Test 4 – Speaking Test (about 15 minutes per candidate)
The English Usage & Reading Test
Total of 8 parts/ 56 questions
The English Usage part tests your vocabulary and grammar knowledge.
- Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) – choose the correct option (idioms, phrasal verbs, collocations, etc.)
- Part 2 (Open cloze) – filling the gap with the missing word (grammar and vocabulary)
- Part 3 (Word formation) – filling the gaps with a variation of a given word that completes the gap correctly. (vocabulary)
Example: Key word ‘success’. Possible answers: succeed – successful – unsuccessful, etc.
- Part 4 (Key word transformations) – write between three to six words to complete a sentence without changing its original meaning.
Example: James would only speak to the head of department alone.
ON
James ………………………………… to the head of department alone.
Answer: James insisted on speaking to the head of department alone.
The Writing Test
Consists of two writing tasks.
You’ll need to write 2 different genres such as essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports or reviews. Each between 200-260 words.
The Listening Test
Total of 4 parts/ 30 questions
The Speaking Test
Total: 4 parts.
You’ll take the test with another candidate.
- Par 1 – You’ll answer general questions about you (work, hometown, country, etc)
- Part 2 – You’ll choose two pictures out of three to talk about. Then the other candidate makes comments. Next it’s the other candidate’s turn. You listen an dthen make comments.
- Part 3 – Conversation with the other candidate.
- Part 4 – Further discussion with the other candidate.
Professora Andréa Câmara 