Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced
A badge of excellence
C1 Advanced is an in-depth assessment of English. It provides high-level English skills for academic and professional success. Preparing for C1 Advanced helps learners develop the skills to make the most of studying, working and living in English-speaking countries. This advanced level certificate is accepted globally as proof of high achievement and is widely recognised by educational institutions, businesses and government departments around the world.

 C1 Advanced FAQs
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Real-life language skills

General and
higher education leaflet
C1 Advanced is set at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) the internationally accepted system for describing language ability. The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above C1 (Level C2) and the level below (Level B2).

Cambridge English: Advanced offers proof of the English skills that education institutions and employers seek for high-achieving study and work situations. Successful candidates can prove to universities they are prepared for study, show employers they are ready to do business, and demonstrate to governments and immigration officials that they meet the language requirements for visas to enter the UK or Australia.

C1 Advanced shows that a student has the language ability to carry out complex research, communicate effectively at a professional level – and stand out from the crowd.

Real-world English language skills
Students gain language skills they can use for university and professional situations, and for living in English-speaking countries. Candidates who have passed C1 Advanced have proven that they are committed to achieving high standards, possess the right English language skills to cope with the demands of study and work and have the necessary communication skills for everyday business activity.

Reliable and secure
C1 Advanced uses research-based testing procedures to offer an in-depth, accurate and reliable evaluation of a student’s level of English. The Cambridge English Research and Validation team is the largest dedicated research facility of any UK-based language assessment organisation.
Find out more about research-based testing here...

The C1 Advanced results are reliable because Cambridge English has built high levels of security into every stage of the design, delivery and administration of the exam.
  • Exam papers are prepared, printed and despatched under secure conditions.
  • Exams Catalunya, Cambridge English Authorised Platinum Centre ES439, is required to follow a detailed code of practice which ensures the highest standards of security throughout the testing process, from registration to the recording of results.
  • Photographs of all candidates are taken on the day of the exam and these can be viewed through the Cambridge English online Results Verification Service.
  • All papers are marked in Cambridge to further ensure security and quality. Sophisticated analysis techniques are used to guard against malpractice.
  • Certificates are printed on security-enhanced paper and include other concealed features to prevent forgery and malpractice.
Find out more about exam security here...


Choice
Choose when and how you take your exam - Cambridge English: Advanced is available as either a paper-based or computer-based exam, allowing you even more choice over how you take your test.


Globally Accepted
More than 5,000 universities, businesses, government departments and other organisations around the world recognise C1 Advanced. In many countries, job applicants who can prove strong English skills have better access to jobs and higher earning potential.

Find out who accepts the exam...


Fast results
Get your results in just two weeks if you take C1 Advanced as a computer-based exam.


A Cambridge English qualification
Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world. It’s an achievement you can be really proud of.

What's in C1 Advanced?
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 Speaking exam uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

C1 Advanced has four papers:



Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes
The C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English paper has 8 parts and 56 questions and has a mix of text types and questions. This paper accounts for 40% of the total mark.

  Number of parts:
8
  Number of questions:56
  Type of questions – Reading tasks:

  • Part 1: Multiple-choice cloze
    A text in which there are some numbered gaps, each of which represents a word or phrase. After the text there are four possible answers for each gap and you have to choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).
  • Part 2: Open cloze
    A text in which there are some gaps, each of which represents one missing word. You have to find the correct word for each gap.
  • Part 3: Word formation
    A text containing eight gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the line is a ‘prompt’ word which you have to change in some way to complete the sentence correctly.
  • Part 4: Key word transformations
    Each question consists of a sentence followed by a ‘key’ word and a second sentence with a gap in the middle. You have to use this key word to complete the second sentence, in three to six words, so that it means the same as the first sentence.
  • Part 5: Multiple choice
    A text with some multiple-choice questions. For each question, there are four options and you have to choose A, B, C or D.
  • Part 6: Cross-text multiple matching
    Four short texts with multiple-matching questions. You must read across all of the texts to match a prompt to elements in the texts.
  • Part 7: Gapped text
    A single page of text with some numbered gaps which represent missing paragraphs. After the text there are some paragraphs which are not in the right order. You have to read the text and the paragraphs and decide which paragraph best fits each gap.
  • Part 8: Multiple matching
    A series of multiple-matching questions followed by a text or several short texts. You have to match a prompt to elements in the text.



Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes
The C1 Advanced Writing paper has two parts. Candidates have to show that they can write different types of text in English. In Part 1 there is one compulsory question and in Part 2 candidates answer one question from a choice of three. This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark.

 Number of parts:2
 Number of questions:
2
 Type of questions – Writing tasks:

  • Part 1: Compulsory question
    You read a text, then write an essay based on points included in the text. You’ll be asked to explain which of the two points is more important, and to give reasons for your opinion.
  • Part 2: Situationally based writing task
    You write a text from a choice of text types – letter/email, proposal, report or review. To guide your writing, you’ll be given information about context, topic purpose and target reader.


Listening: About 40 minutes
The C1 Advanced Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark.

 Number of parts:4
 Number of questions:30
 Type of tasks:

  • Part 1: Multiple choice
    Three short extracts from conversations between interacting speakers. There are two multiple-choice questions for each extract and you have to choose A, B or C.
  • Part 2: Sentence completion
    A monologue lasting approximately 3 minutes. You have to complete the sentences on the question paper with the missing information which you hear on the recording.
  • Part 3: Multiple choice
    A conversation between two or more speakers of approximately 4 minutes. You have to answer some multiple-choice questions by choosing the correct answer from four options (A, B C or D).
  • Part 4: Multiple matching
    A series of five themed monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. On the question paper, there are two tasks and for each task you have to match each of the five speakers to one of eight possible answers.


Speaking: 15 minutes per pair of candidates
The C1 Advanced Speaking shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. The test has four parts and will be conducted face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. There are two examiners. One examiner (the interlocutor) talks to you and the other examiner (the assessor) just listens. Both examiners decide your grade but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. The Speaking test accounts for 20% of the total mark.

 Number of parts:4
 Type of tasks:
  • Part 1: Interview
    Conversation between the candidates and the interlocutor. The examiner asks questions and you may have to give information about your interests, studies, careers, etc.
  • Part 2: Long turn
    The interlocutor gives you three pictures and asks you to talk about two of them. You have to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on what you have said for about 30 seconds. The other candidate receives a different set of photographs and you have to listen and comment when they have finished speaking. The questions you have to answer about your photographs are written at the top of the page to remind you what you should talk about.
  • Part 3: Collaborative task
    Conversation with the other candidate. The examiner gives you spoken instructions with written prompts which are used in a discussion. You have to talk with the other candidate for about 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of three) about the written prompts. After the discussion time, the examiner will ask you another question which requires you to make a decision. You have 1 minute to talk together and make the decision (2 minutes for groups of three).
  • Part 4: Discussion
    Further discussion with the other candidate based on the topics or issues raised in the task in Part 3. The interlocutor asks each of you some questions and you discuss them with the other candidate.
Choosing your Speaking Test partner
If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate you can request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own performance.

Groups of three candidates
Almost all the C1 Advanced Speaking Tests are conducted in groups of two candidates. However, if there is an uneven number of candidates at an exam session there will be one test with a group of three candidates, normallly at the end of the day or before a long break. The test format is exactly the samebut will last a little longer. Please, note that you can't request to take your test in a group of three.

Paper and pencil tests
Try a paper-based sample C1 Advanced exam paper.
Download sample paper 1 for C1 Advanced...
Download sample paper 2 for C1 Advanced...
Advanced 2015 Answer Keys. (Please note that there is no answer key for the Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments).

Computer-based sample tests
Reading and Use of English...
Listening
Writing
Find out how to use the computer-based sample tests...

Use the answer keys below:
Listening answer key...
Reading and Use of English answer key...
There is no answer key for the Writing Paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments on the relevant pages of the C1 Advanced Handbook. Please note you will need to use the Firefox or Chrome browser to view these sample tests.

Check your answers as you do the test – once the test has finished you will not be able to check them.

Information for Candidates
A guide to the exam, with an overview of what's involved
Download the information for candidates...

Guide to exam day tips
Practical information about the session.
 Paper-based exams
Computer-based exams
Speaking test

Summary Regulations for Candidates
All the important information you need to know when taking the exam.
Download Summary regulations for candidates

Cheating warning
Cheating is treated very seriously by Cambridge English and if you cheat you will not get a result or a certificate.
Please view this poster and make sure that you understand what it says.


YOU WILL FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ABOUT EXAM RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates


Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates


On this page you will find useful resources to help you to prepare for your C1 Advanced exam
ALL THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR C1 ADVANCED EXAM ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the C1 Advanced exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips


Are you a private candidate?
It’s easy to register for Cambridge English: Advanced
in just three steps:
Step 1  Find an exam date

You can take the Cambridge English exams most months of the year.
Use our online search to find an exam date.

Step 2  Complete the registration form

You can complete the exam registration form online or come to our offices to register for an exam.

Step 3  Make payment

Payment for the exam must be made before the registration deadline. If you register after the deadline a late fee of 40 Euros will be applied.

Masterclass for Candidates included in the exam fee

This online class lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and is included in your exam fee. During the session, a teacher, expert on Cambridge Assessement English exams, will review the different questions in each paper with tips and in-depth advice on how to approach them.
We will also advise you about what to expect on the exam day so that you feel confident and better prepared.

We will send you the information to access the class when you have completed and paid for your exam registration.




You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:

  1. By credit/debit card



    Preparation Centres may also make payments by credit card through the Exams Catalunya Online portal.

  2. By bank transfer to any of the following accounts:
    Banco Santander
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0049 4754 89 2516056032
    IBAN: ES9400494754892516056032
    Banco Sabadell
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0081 0053 54 0001180228
    IBAN: ES7300810053540001180228
    IMPORTANT: If you pay for your exam by bank transfer you should clearly state the name and surname/s of the candidate and the level and date of the exam session. All transfers must reach us free of bank charges or interest. Exams Catalunya will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to registrations@exams-catalunya.com so that we may trace your payment with the bank. Your place on the exam will not be confirmed until we receive a payment receipt for the exam fee.

  3. At our offices:
    Registration and payment for exams may also be made at our offices. If candidates choose this option payment should be made on registering. Payment may be made in cash, by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

    C/ Freixa, 5-9
    08021 Barcelona
    Tel: 934 111 333
    Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
    The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.
IMPORTANT: After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam.
If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 934 111 333. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.


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