C1 Advanced Exam in Brief – Exam Structure

The CAE exam consists of four parts (so-called papers). The first three are written on one day. The oral part takes place in pairs, often on a different day. The format is the same in both paper and computer versions.

The score from each skill has the same weight. Reading and Use of English are assessed separately, so in practice, five scores count, each 20%. More about this in the scoring section.

C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English – 8 parts

This is the longest and for many the most difficult part of the exam. You have 90 minutes for 8 tasks, which is about 11 minutes for each. The first four parts are Use of English (grammar and vocabulary in context), the next four are reading longer texts.

Use of English: Part 1–4

Part 1 (multiple-choice cloze) tests vocabulary: collocations, idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs and subtle differences in meaning, e.g. raise / rise / arise. Often all four options mean similarly, but only one fits the sentence structure.

Part 2 (open cloze) to 8 gaps, in which you enter one word each. Most often these are „grammatical” words: prepositions, articles, pronouns, auxiliary verbs, conjunctions, and elements of fixed expressions (no sooner, as long as, in spite of).

Part 3 (word formation): for each gap you get a base word and create the correct form from it. At the C1 level, you often need to add both a prefix and a suffix (convince → unconvincing) and remember about the plural form.

Part 4 (key word transformations): you transform the sentence to keep its meaning, using the given keyword. You enter from 3 to 6 words, and the keyword cannot be changed. You can get 2 points for each sentence, even partially – so it’s always worth entering something.

Reading: Part 5–8

Part 5 (multiple choice) is a long text and 6 questions about details, the author’s opinion and attitude, the purpose of the fragment, as well as the meaning of words and references („What does ‘this’ refer to in line 23?”).

Part 6 (cross-text multiple matching) is a task that is not present in B2 First. You read four short texts by different authors on one topic and answer 4 questions such as: „Which writer has a different view from the others on…?”. The focus is on comparing opinions, not searching for facts.

Part 7 (gapped text): 6 paragraphs have been removed from the text, and you have 7 to choose from – one does not fit anywhere. The key is coherence and references: pronouns, words like however, this, such, repeated information.

Part 8 (multiple matching): one long text divided into parts or several short texts and 10 questions. You need to quickly find in which fragment a given piece of information appears. Here, scanning the text is useful.

C1 Advanced Writing – essay and task of choice

In the Writing part, you write two texts in 90 minutes. Each should have 220–260 words. Both are equally important for the score, so divide the time roughly equally: about 45 minutes per text, including planning and checking.

Part 1: Essay (mandatory)

You receive a topic, notes from a lecture or discussion with three points, and opinions expressed during that discussion. Your task is to discuss two of the three points, indicate which is more important (or effective), and justify your choice. You may – but do not have to – use the given opinions, preferably in your own words.

Part 2: one task from three

You choose one of three proposals. They can be:

• letter / email – formal or informal, e.g. to the editor, employer, friend;
• proposal – a proposal for superiors or a committee, with headings and specific recommendations;
• report – a report describing a situation or event, concluded with findings and recommendations;
• review – a review (e.g. of a book, movie, place) with a description and rating for a specific reader.

How is the Writing C1 Advanced part assessed?

C1 Advanced Listening – 4 parts, 30 questions

The Listening part lasts about 40 minutes. You hear each recording twice. Various accents and natural speech pace appear, and the questions often concern opinions, attitudes, and the purpose of the statement, not just facts.

In Part 2, you write the words that you actually hear – you do not paraphrase. Correct spelling matters. Part 4 requires divided attention: for each speaker, you choose an answer in two tasks at once (e.g., reason for the decision and the speaker’s feelings). From November 1, 2025, in the computer version, Part 4 will take the form of „drag and drop” – the task type has not changed.

C1 Advanced Speaking – oral exam in pairs

The oral exam lasts 15 minutes per pair (23 minutes if a group of three people is taking it). There are two examiners. One leads the conversation (interlocutor), the other just listens and assesses (assessor).

In Part 2 do not describe the pictures in detail – compare them and speculate (It might be that…, They could be feeling…, Perhaps the reason is…). In Part 3 interaction matters: ask your partner questions, respond to their ideas, do not deliver a monologue.

C1 Advanced Scoring – Cambridge Scale and Passing Thresholds

Each of the five skills (Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening, Speaking) receives a score on the Cambridge English Scale. The final score is the average of these five scores. This means that a weaker part can be compensated by a stronger one.

To pass the C1 Advanced exam, you need at least 180 points. A score below 160 does not provide a certificate.

When do the results come out and does the certificate expire?

The results of the computer exam usually appear after 1–2 weeks, and the paper exam after 4–6 weeks. According to Cambridge, the result and certificate are valid indefinitely. However, remember that universities, employers, or visa offices may require a certificate not older than, for example, 2 years – check this with the institution you are applying to.

B2 First and C1 Advanced – what changes?

If you have already completed B2 First, the structure of CAE will seem familiar to you. The most important differences:

• Texts in Writing are longer: 220–260 words instead of 140–190. The form proposal is added, and the essay requires choosing and justifying which point is more important.
• New task in Reading: Part 6 – comparing the opinions of four authors.
• Harder texts: more abstract topics, irony, suggestions, and meanings „between the lines”.
• Precision of vocabulary: collocations, idioms, and register determine points in both Use of English and Writing.

Most common mistakes of candidates in the C1 Advanced exam

• ❌ Part 4: changing the keyword (MUST → must’ve) or writing 7 words. ✅ The keyword remains unchanged, and the entire answer has 3–6 words (contractions count as two words). For breaking these rules, you lose all points, even if the rest is correct.
• ❌ An essay in which you discuss all three points from the notes and do not indicate which is more important. ✅ Two points, developed and compared, and a clear conclusion with justification. This is a requirement of the prompt – omitting it lowers the score in the Content criterion.
• ❌ A text of 180 words „because it’s still good”. ✅ 220–260 words, with time for planning and proofreading. A text that is too short usually does not fulfill all elements of the task.
• ❌ I am agree with the opinion that… ✅ I agree with the opinion that… Agree is a verb – we do not combine it with be. A B1 level mistake in the C1 exam particularly stands out to the examiner.
• ❌ Despite of the high cost, the project was a success. ✅ Despite the high cost / In spite of the high cost, … Despite does not combine with of; in spite – always with of.
• ❌ Speaking Part 3: a long monologue without addressing the partner. ✅ What do you think about…? That’s a good point, but… – a conversation, not two separate speeches. The examiner assesses the ability to conduct interaction.

How to prepare for the CAE exam? Teacher’s tips

• Start with a mock test. Complete a full test under time constraints to see which of the five skills is dragging your score down. Free sample tests are provided by Cambridge English – preparation materials for C1 Advanced.
• Keep a collocation notebook. Parts 1–3 are largely vocabulary in combinations. Write down whole phrases (pose a threat, draw a conclusion, come to terms with), not single words.
• Practice transformations daily in small amounts. This task is where consistency yields the fastest score increase.
• Write regularly and on time. One text per week in 45 minutes, then check according to the four assessment criteria.
• Listen to different accents. Podcasts, interviews, lectures – preferably with the task: note the speaker’s opinion and its justification.
• Practice Speaking with a partner and record yourself. Check if you are comparing photos, not just describing them.

C1 Advanced Use of English – mini-test with answers

Six tasks in the style of Parts 2, 3, and 4. Check how you perform at the C1 level.

Open cloze – enter one word

1. No ______ had we arrived at the station than the train left.
2. It was ______ a moving film that half the audience were in tears.

Word formation – create the correct form

3. The proposal was met with widespread ______ among local residents. (APPROVE)
4. I found his explanation completely ______. (CONVINCE)

Key word transformations – use 3–6 words, including the key word

5. I’m sure she didn’t forget about the meeting. CAN’T
   She ______ the meeting.
6. I only realised my phone was missing when I got home. DID
   Not until I got home ______ my phone was missing.