C1 Advanced
C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is the in-depth, high-level qualification that shows you have the language skills that employers and universities are looking for.
More than 9,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments around the world accept C1 Advanced as proof of high-level achievement in learning English.
Preparing for C1 Advanced helps learners develop the skills to make the most of studying, working and living in English-speaking countries.
This exam is the logical step in your language learning journey between B2 First and C2 Proficiency.
A C1 Advanced qualification shows that you can:
- follow an academic course at university level
- communicate effectively at a managerial and professional level
- participate with confidence in workplace meetings or academic tutorials and seminars
- express yourself with a high level of fluency.
Reasons to choose C1 Advanced:
- Monthly test dates available at 2,800 exam centres around the world.
- Accepted by over 9,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments.
- Opens doors to international travel, work and study.
Test Format
C1 Advanced is a thorough test of all areas of language ability.
The exam is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
The formats below are the same for both the paper-based and computer-based exams. Please note that computer-based (CB) exams are being replaced by Cambridge English Qualifications Digital in February 2024. Visit our Cambridge English Qualifications Digital webpage to find out more.
Reading and Use of English
Paper : Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes)
Content : 8 parts/
56 questions
Purpose : Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with different types of exercise that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.
Writing
Paper : Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)
Content : 2 parts
Purpose : You create two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports and reviews.
Listening
Paper : Listening (about 40 minutes)
Content : 4 parts/30 questions
Purpose : Tests your ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations.
Speaking
Paper : Speaking (15 minutes per pair of candidates; 23 minutes per group of three)
Content : 4 parts
Purpose : Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your Speaking test will be conducted usually face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners (who could be online, examining remotely) talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app.
Results
C1 Advanced results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale.
You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.
