C1 Advanced (CAE)Cambridge exam

What is CAE?“Cambridge English: Advanced” is alsoabbreviated as CAE and is a Cambridge

examination. To pass this exam youneed at least C1 knowledge. With the

Advanced Certificate, you thereforeprove to have language skills at an

Advanced level and can communicatespontaneously and flexibly at any time and can understand and writetexts of high complexity. You can

therefore use all elements of Englishwith confidence.

SCORES (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH SCALE SCORE)Grade A 200-210 (Cambridge English scale score)Grade B 193-199 (Cambridge English scale score)Grade C 180-192 (Cambridge English scale score)Fail B2 level 160-179 (Cambridge English scale score)

REGISTRATION Book at least three months in advance. Candidates havea choice between computer and paper-based exams.

DIFFICULTY LEVELC1 / Proficient user (CEFR level scale)

NUMBER OF PAPERSThere are four papers. Reading and Use of English are worth50%, Writing, Listening and Speaking are worth 25% each

oneenglish.ch

How does CAE translate onthe CEFR level scale?

understand longer, more detailed textsexpress oneself fluently andspontaneously without having to searchfor expressionsproduce complex, well-structured textswith cohesive devices and connectors

C1 Advanced (CAE) translates as C1Proficient user on the CEFR level scale. Thismean candidates with C1 language skills can:

oneenglish.ch

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CAE

What happens if a candidatereaches C2 Proficiency (CPE) level?

If you take the CAE exam and reach a level ofC2 Proficiency (200 points or more

Cambridge English scale score),you will stillnot receive a Proficiency (CPE) certificate.

What happens if a candidate receivesless than 160 points?

If a candidate receives less than an average of160 points (B2 Cambridge English scale score),

the grade will not be reported on theCambridge English scale score.

Does CAE have an expiry date?

Fortunately, the Advanced (CAE) doesnot have an expiry date.

When is the CAE beneficial?

Primary school teachersare required to have either

the CAE or IELTScertificate (Band 7) in

Switzerland

SWISS PRIMARY

SCHOOL TEACHERS A CAE certificate is a hugebonus to have on your CV.More and more employersare asking for it nowadays.

EMPLOYERS

One of the requirements ofobtaining a visa/ universityentry for the UK, Australia,

US could be a CAEcertificate.

VISA OR UNIVERSITY

PURPOSES

oneenglish.ch

Part 1: Multiple-choice cloze (one mark for each correct answer)Part 5: Mulitple-choice (two marks for each correct answer)Part 6: Cross-text multiple matching (two marks for each correct answer)Part 7: Gapped text (two marks for each correct answer)part 8: Multiple matching (one mark for each correct answer)

What parts are graded in the Reading?

Time management can be a challenging factorof the CAE exam. Candidates have approx. 9minutes to complete each Reading part.

How much time do candidates haveto complete each Reading part?

The maximum Reading score is 50 points which correspondsto 210 (C2) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Reading score is 32 points which correspondsto 180 (C1) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

Fiction books,newspapers and magazines.

What are the text types?

oneenglish.ch

Reading

90 MINUTES

Both Reading and Use of English are taken on the samepaper but are given two separate grades. Candidates aregiven 90 minutes to complete both parts. Reading andUse of English are worth 50% (25% each) of the overallexam.

Are Reading and Use of English takentogether?

Part 2: Open-cloze(one mark for each correct answer)Part 3: Word formation(one mark for each correct answer)Part 4: Keyword transformation(up to two marks for correct answer)

What parts are graded in the Use of English?

The maximum Use of English score is 28 points whichcorresponds to 210 (C2) on the Cambridge Englishscale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Use of English score is 16 points whichcorresponds to 180 (C1) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

oneenglish.ch

Time management can be a challenging factor of theCAE exam. Candidates have approx. 12 minutes tocomplete each Use of English part.

How much time do candidates have tocomplete each Use of English part? It is advisable to write with capital letters in the Use of English

part, if candidates choose the paper-based exam.

Do I have to write with capital letters in the paperbased exam?

Spelling is very important. Anything spelt incorrectly will be penalised.

How important is spelling?

Use of English

90 MINUTES

Both Reading and Use of English are taken on the samepaper but are given two separate grades. Candidates aregiven 90 minutes to complete both parts. Reading andUse of English are worth 50% (25% each) of the overallexam.

Are Reading and Use of English takentogether?

Writing

90 MINUTES

This depends on the exam type. Candidates have a choicebetween paper-based and computer-based.It's important forcandidates to research exam types before registering.

Do candidates type or write their texts?

There are two parts in the writing :Part 1: Write an essay (compulsory, 220-260 words) Part 2: Choice between a letter, report, article or review (220-260 words)

How many parts are in the Writing?

The maximum Writing score is 40 points which correspondsto 210 (C2) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Writing score is 24 points which correspondsto 180 (C1) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

oneenglish.ch

Yes, if the examiner cannot read your handwritingcorrectly then marks will be taken away. If acandidate has unclear handwriting, it's worthconsidering computer-based.

Can candidates get penalised for unclearhandwriting in the paper-based exam?

Examiners give 0-5 marks for the following criteria:Grammar and Vocabulary; Discourse Management;Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication.Examiners can also award half marks.

How is the Writing graded?

L

Students hear the Listening audio twice. Candidatesare allowed to take notes during the Listening.

How many times do candidates hear theListening?

The maximum Listening score is 30 points which correspondsto 210 (C2) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Listening score is 18 points which correspondsto 180 (C1) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

There are four parts in the Listening.Part 1: Multiple choice (one mark for each correct answer)Part 2: Sentence completion (one mark for each correct answer)Part 3: Multiple choice (one mark for each correct answer)Part 4: Multiple matching (one mark for each correct answer)

How many parts are in the Listening?

Headphones are provided for computer-based examsand a CD player is provided for paper-based exams.

What Listening equipment is provided?

oneenglish.ch

Do candidates get extra time to transfertheir answers?Candidates get an extra five minutes at the end of the test totransfer their answers to the answer sheet. Candidates shouldonly transfer their answers to the answer sheet when advisedby the examiner.

Listening

40 MINUTES

COMPUTER-BASED PAPER-BASED

HOW CAN THE EXAM BE TAKEN?You have the choice

It takes two weeks toreceive results.

It takes four weeks toreceive results.

Speaking

15 MINUTES,

per pair of

candidates

Candidates do the Speaking exam with twoexaminers and a partner. Some parts of the examare done alone and other parts involve yourSpeaking partner.

Who takes part in the Speaking exam?

Candidates are allowed to choose their partner,provided their partner is taking the same exam onthe same date in the same place.

Can candidates choose their partner?

The maximum Speaking score is 75 points which correspondsto 210 (C2) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Speaking score is 45 points which correspondsto 180 (C1) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

There are four parts in the Speaking.Part 1: Interview (2 minutes per candidate)Part 2: Long turn (1 minute per candidate)Part 3: Collaborative task (3 minutes) Part 4: Discussion (5 minutes)

How many parts are in the Speaking?

This depends on the exam event that you register for. Thisinformation is usually given to candidates before they register.

Are the Written and Speaking test on the sameday?

oneenglish.ch

HOW TO PREPARE

FOR CAE

ENROLL IN AONE ENGLISH

COURSE

NOTE: Students thinking of taking the

CAE are required to already have

strong previous knowledge of English.

SELF-STUDY DON'T PANICIMMERSEYOURSELF

oneenglish.ch

UPCOMING EXAMDATES IN BASEL

Paper

Exam type

20.11.202021.11.2020

Speakingtest

21.09.2020

Registrationdeadline

21.11.2020

Writingtest

Paper

Exam type

5.12.2020

Writingtest

5.12.2020

Speakingtest

21.09.2020

Registrationdeadline

Paper

Exam type

6.02.2021

Writing test

1.09.2020

Registration opens

St.Alban-Anlage 254052 Basel / BS

Switzerland

Location

400CHF

Price

St.Alban-Anlage 254052 Basel / BS

Switzerland

LocationUPCOMING EXAMDATES IN BASEL

Paper

Exam type

400CHF

Price

Paper

Exam type

1.09.2020

Registration opens

Paper

Exam type

9.06.2021

Writing test

1.09.2020

Registration opens

13.03.2021

Writing test

1.09.2020

Registration opens

8.05.2021

Writing test

BEST OF LUCK FROM OUR TEAM AT ONE ENGLISH