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.

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:

On this page you will find useful resources to help you to prepare for your C1 Advanced exam

Are you a private candidate? It’s easy to register for Cambridge English: Advanced in just three steps:

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