CAE (the Certificate in Advanced English) — is an examination at Cambridge set at C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference scale.
There are 4 papers, each representing 25% of the total mark.
- Paper 1 Reading and Use of English (8 parts, 56 questions, 1 hour 30 minutes)
- Paper 2 Writing (2 tasks, 1 hour 30 minutes)
- Paper 3 Listening (4 tasks, 40 minutes)
- Paper 4 Speaking (4 parts, 15 minutes)
Books for preparation can be found here.
Sample papers can be downloaded here.
How is writing marked? –
Marks are awarded for appropriate
- content (Is it relevant? Is the topic fully covered?)
- vocabulary (Is a vide range of vocabulary used? Is it used appropriately?)
- grammar (Is a wide range of structures used? Are grammar structures used accurately?)
- register (Is the register (formal, neutral, informal) chosen appropriately?)
- coherence and cohesion (Are ideas linked logically? Are linking words used appropriately?)
- general impression (Does the candidate’s writing have a positive effect on the target reader?)
Sample writing papers
Speaking
Part 1 (3 minutes)
The interlocutor asks candidates questions in turn.
For example:
- Where are you from?
- How long have you been studying English?
- Apart from English, what other languages have you studied?
- What is your happiest memory of childhood?
- Do you prefer going out with friends or family?
Part 2 (4 minutes)
Candidates compare and contrast pictures for 1 minute.
Part 3 (4 minutes)
Candidates talk about several pictures for 4 minutes
Part 4 (4 minutes)
Candidates answer questions related to the visuals used in Part 3
For example:
- Which is more important in any job: qualifications, personality or practical experience?
- What type of jobs should be most highly-valued? Why?
- Should there be a compulsory retirement age or should people be allowed to work as long as they like? Why?
- Do you think that people can be taught to be good leaders? Why/why not?
- Some people say it doesn’t matter what job you do – the most important thing is to enjoy doing it. What do you think?
- Try to speak clearly so that the examiners understand you.
- Don’t give yes-no answers.
- Give your reasons and examples.
- Don’t make prepared speeches at home.
- Remember that the examiner is only interested in your language, not your opinion.
Remember that you shouldn’t describe the pictures. You can use such expressions like:
In both pictures we see…
Both pictures show…
The main similarity between these pictures is that…
The main difference between the two pictures is that…
These people might be feeling….
They seem/appear to be…
…while/whereas in the second picture…
- listen to your partner and respond to what he/she says
- be polite
- don’t try to dominate
- don’t worry if you disagree with you partner, but try to reach some conclusion
- if your partner speaks all the time, interrupt him or her politely
- if your partner doesn’t express their opinion, ask questions
- show interest in things your partner says
I’m not sure about that because…
That’s true, and also…
Yes, but on the other hand…
Ok, let’s move on to…
I don’t really agree…
Well, that might be true, but…
Yes, definitely, because…
But wouldn’t you say…
Yes, and on top of that…
What do you think?
So let’s sum up…