Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) is an exam focused on advanced users of English. It’s focused on those who use written and spoken English in most of their social and professional interactions. CAE is a high-level qualification that is officially recognised by universities, employers and governments around the world.
To make sure exams are up to date with the latest research in language learning and teaching, Cambridge English Language Assessment updates them regularly. The revision of Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) was introduced in January 2015. We’ve also changed to the way results are reported. The Cambridge English Scale gives you clearer and more detailed information about your performance, both overall and in the individual components of the exam.
Since January 2015, Cambridge English: Advanced results have been reported on the new Cambridge English Scale (replacing the current candidate profile and standardised scores). The results given on the Cambridge English Scale give you a detailed understanding of your performance. You receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and use of English. These scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. If you take another Cambridge English exam in the future, it will also be easy to measure progress from one exam to another, as all results for Cambridge English exams are reported on the same scale.
If you answered positively to these questions, or if you are improving in the above mentioned competences, then the CAE exam is the right one for you.
Cambridge English Language Assessment is a department of the world-famous and historic University of Cambridge. Attaining one of its certificates is an achievement and a reward in itself. However, there are many other benefits too:
CAE candidate
Cambridge English: Advanced is at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which was also consulted by Cambridge English Language Assessment. This framework consists of six levels to describe language competence ranging from A1 to C2. Sentences beginning with “Can do” are used to characterise these levels more closely, reflecting real language skills.
For example, level C1 users are expected to:
During your preparatory course for CAE exam, you will attain all the above mentioned language competences.
Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes (40% of total marks)
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: 1 hour 30 minutes (20% of total marks)
You create two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports and reviews.
Listening: 40 minutes (20% of total marks)
Tests your ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations.
Speaking: 15 minutes (20% of total marks)
Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. You will take the speaking test with another candidate. with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.
As with other Cambridge English Language Assessment, there is a range of exam preparation resources to help you feel really prepared for Cambridge English: Advanced, including:
Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge English Language Assessment for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the test centres.
If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam.