CEFR C1 · Cambridge English

C1 Advanced (CAE) Practice

C1 Advanced, also known as CAE, is the Cambridge English qualification at CEFR level C1. It shows you can use English fluently and effectively in academic and professional life — reading complex texts, writing well-structured essays and reports, and taking part in detailed discussions on abstract topics. CAE is accepted by over 9,000 educational institutions, businesses and governments worldwide as proof of advanced-level English.

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CAE exam structure

The C1 Advanced exam has four papers. Reading, Writing and Listening are taken on the same day; Speaking is scheduled separately and is paired with another candidate.

Reading & Use of English

90 min

8 parts, 56 questions

Writing

90 min

2 parts — compulsory essay + choice

Listening

~40 min

4 parts, 30 questions

Speaking

15 min

4 parts, paired with another candidate

Reading & Use of English — part by part

  1. Part 1 — Multiple Choice Cloze — C1 collocations, phrasal verbs, register
  2. Part 2 — Open Cloze — one-word grammar gaps including subjunctive and inversion
  3. Part 3 — Word Formation — double-affix transformations (un- + -able etc.)
  4. Part 4 — Key Word Transformation — rewrite using a fixed key word, 3–6 words
  5. Part 5 — Multiple Choice Reading — sophisticated text, detail / inference / tone
  6. Part 6 — Cross-text Multiple Matching — compare opinions across 4 short texts
  7. Part 7 — Gapped Text — slot 6 missing paragraphs into a long article
  8. Part 8 — Multiple Matching — scan 5 sections (10 prompts) on a shared topic

Writing

Part 1 is a compulsory essay (220–260 words) discussing two of three options based on a classroom discussion. Part 2 lets you choose one of an email/letter, proposal, report, or review (220–260 words). Both are scored on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language using the official C1 band rubrics.

Sample CAE question

A typical Part 1 item from a recent CAE mock exam.

CAE · Part 1 · MC Cloze

The chairperson refused to _____ further questions after the press conference overran by twenty minutes.

Which word best fits the gap?

✓A · entertain
B · host
C · welcome
D · endorse

How CAE is scored

Scores run from 160 to 210 on the Cambridge English Scale. 180+ = grade C (Pass at C1), 193+ = grade B, 200+ = grade A (Pass at C2 level). 160–179 you receive a B2-level certificate instead.

Practise CAE by paper

Drill into one skill at a time — full part-by-part breakdowns, sample questions and study tips.

Common CAE questions

How hard is the CAE compared to FCE?

CAE is a full CEFR level above FCE — texts are longer and more sophisticated, options in MC questions are deliberately closer in meaning, and the writing tasks demand a wider range of complex grammar (inversion, cleft sentences, advanced participles). Most learners need 12+ months of B2 study before attempting CAE.

Do universities accept CAE?

Yes. CAE is accepted as proof of English by most universities in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and across Europe — including Oxford, Cambridge and most Russell Group universities. It's also recognised by professional bodies and governments for visa applications.

How long is the CAE certificate valid?

CAE certificates do not expire. However, many universities and employers prefer scores from the last two years because language ability can fade without regular use. Always check the receiving institution's specific policy.

Ready to start practising for CAE?

Free to start. No downloads. Auto-marked Reading, Writing and Listening with detailed per-question explanations.

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