Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
CAE is an exam for advanced users of English. This exam is aimed at people who can use written and spoken English for most professional and social purposes. It is widely recognised work or study purposes.
Is CAE for you?
Can you...
- use English in an effective way for business or study purposes?
- use English confidently and flexibly?
- produce well-structured, clear pieces of writing on complex issues?
If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then CAE is the right exam for you.
What will taking CAE help you do?
CAE is at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The framework uses six levels to describe language ability from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language.
For example, at C1 level, typical users can be expected to:
- read quickly enough to cope with an academic course
- understand complex opinions
- produce clear, well structured and detailed pieces of writing
- express themselves well with a good degree of fluency
- use English flexibly for social, professional and academic purposes.
Your preparation for CAE will give you these kinds of practical language skills.
What does CAE involve?
CAE has five papers:
Reading: 1 hour 15 minutes
You will need to understand texts from publications such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines. Sample Paper
Writing 2 hours
You will have to show you can process information from different types of input to produce a number of different types of writing such as letters, articles, reports and reviews. The pieces of writing will be aimed at specific types of readers, each of about 250 words. Sample Paper
Use of English Paper 1 hour 30 minutes
Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary. Sample Paper
Listening: 45 minutes
You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including lectures, news programmes and public announcements.
Sample Paper
Audio part 1, 2, 3, 4.
Speaking: up to 14 minutes
You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in groups of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself. Sample Paper
For further information see Information for Candidates .
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