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 |
 | Real-life language skills |
| |
| 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.
| ||
| 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:
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 minutesThe C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English paper has 8 parts and 56 questions and has a mix of text types and questions. Candidates are required to show that they can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. The paper tests their use of English with different types of exercise that show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary. This paper accounts for 40% of the total mark. Download sample paper 1 for C1 Advanced ... Download sample paper 2 for C1 Advanced ... | ||||
| 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. In part 1 they read a text, then write an essay based on points included in the text. They will be asked to explain which of the two points is more important, and to give reasons for their opinion. In part 2 candidates write a text from a choice of text types – letter/email, proposal, report or review. To guide their writing, they will be given information about context, topic purpose and target reader. This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark. Download sample paper 1 for C1 Advanced ... Download sample paper 2 for C1 Advanced ... Download the Level C1 Writing Checklist... | ||||
| Listening: about 40 minutes The C1 Advanced Listening paper has four parts and 30 questions and tests candidates’ ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations. For each part candidates have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. Recordings may be from
Download sample paper 1 for C1 Advanced ... Download sample paper 2 for C1 Advanced ... | ||||
| Speaking: 15 minutes per pair of candidates The C1 Advanced Speaking has four parts and is conducted face-to-face with one other candidate and two examiners. One of the examiners, the interlocutor, conducts the test (asks questions, gives candidates the booklet with things to talk about). The other examiner, the assessor, listens to what the candidates say. Part 1 is a conversation between the candidates and the interlocutor. The examiner asks questions and candidates may have to give information about their interests, studies, careers, etc. In Part 2 the interlocutor gives each candidate a different set of three pictures and asks him/her to talk about two of them. Each candidate has to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on what he/she has said for about 30 seconds. Part 3 is a conversation with the other candidate. The examiner gives spoken instructions with written prompts which are used in a discussion. Candidates have to talk to each other for about 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of three) about the written prompts. After the discussion time, the examiner will ask another question which requires the candidates to make a decision. Candidates have 1 minute to talk together and make the decision (2 minutes for groups of three). Part 4 is further discussion with the other candidate based on the topics or issues raised in the task in Part 3. The interlocutor asks each candidate some questions and he/she discusses them with the other candidate. The Speaking test accounts for 20% of the total mark. Download sample paper 1 for C1 Advanced ... Download sample paper 2 for C1 Advanced ... Download Examiner comments of the Speaking paper...
|
|
Your results
From January 2015 C1 Advanced (CAE) results will be reported on the new Cambridge English Scale (replacing the current candidate profile and standardised scores).
Download a factsheet about the Cambridge English Scale
You will receive a Statement of Results. If your performance ranges between CEFR Levels C2 and B2, you will also receive a certificate.
You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) plus Use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.
'Statement of Results'
Your Statement of Results contains the following information:
Your certificate
If a candidate demonstrates that he/she has achieved level B2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), one of the following certificates will be awarded:
From January 2015 C1 Advanced (CAE) results will be reported on the new Cambridge English Scale (replacing the current candidate profile and standardised scores).
Download a factsheet about the Cambridge English Scale
You will receive a Statement of Results. If your performance ranges between CEFR Levels C2 and B2, you will also receive a certificate.
You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) plus Use of English, giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.
'Statement of Results'
Your Statement of Results contains the following information:
 |
| |||||||||||||||
For C1 Advanced, the following scores will be used to report results:
| ||||||||||||||||
 | The exam is targeted at Level C1 of the CEFR. The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above C1 (Level C2) and the level below (Level B2). Scores between 142 and 159 are also reported for C1 Advanced. You will not receive a certificate, but your Cambridge English Scale score will be shown on your Statement of Results. Please click on the image to the left of this text to find out the relationship between the CEFR levels, the Cambridge English Scale and the grades awarded in C1 Advanced.
| |||||||||||||||
Your certificate
If a candidate demonstrates that he/she has achieved level B2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), one of the following certificates will be awarded:
 |
C1 Advanced - Level C2 Exceptional candidates sometimes show ability beyond C1 level. If you achieve grade A in your exam, you will receive the C1 Advanced certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C2. |
| C1 Advanced - Level C1 If you achieve grade B or C in your exam, you will be awarded the C1 Advanced certificate at Level C1. | |
| Level B2 Certificate If your performance is below Level C1, but falls within Level B2, we will recognise your achievement with a Cambridge English certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at B2 level. |
 If you want a university, employer or other organisation to verify your
result, you must provide them with the information on your Statement of
Results and two additional pieces of information:1.- Your ID Number (a sequence of nine letters and numbers). 2.- Your Secret Number (a four-digit number). Both of these pieces of information can be found on your Confirmation of Entry, which you receive when you register for the exam. They can then verify your result by logging in to www.cambridgeenglish.org/verifiers |
On this page you will find useful resources to help you to prepare for your C1 Advanced exam
| Free Practice Tests | |||
 | Computer 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. | ||
 | Paper and pencil tests Try a paper-based sample Advanced exam paper. Download sample paper 1 for C1 Advanced... Download sample paper 2 for C1 Advanced... Download the Level C1 Writing Checklist... Advanced 2015 Answer Keys. (Please note that there is no answer key for the Writing paper, but there are sample answers and examiner comments). | ||
| Preparation resources, games and Cambridge activities |
|||
| |||
| Social media |
|||
 |  Exams Catalunya FacebookJoin Exams Catalunya on Facebook: Exams Catalunya Facebook... | ||
 | Cambridge English Facebook Join The Cambridge English dedicated Advanced Facebook page for help with exam preparation. | ||
 |  Exams Catalunya YouTube ChannelWatch videos featuring English learning and exam tips on our Exams Catalunya YouTube channel | ||
 | Cambridge English YouTube Channel Watch videos featuring English learning and exam tips on Cambridge English TV YouTube channel | ||
| Visit the C1 Advanced support page here: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/advanced/how-to-prepare/ |
| Are you a private candidate? It’s easy to register for Cambridge English: Advanced in just three steps: |
|
|
 |
C/ Freixa, 5-9