Cambridge C1 Advanced
The advanced Cambridge exam: four papers, about four hours, and a certificate that does not expire.
C1 Advanced (formerly known as CAE) shows that you can use English confidently for university study and professional work. It is accepted by many universities and employers, and an excellent result earns a C2 certificate.
C1 Advanced at a Glance
Four papers, combined into one overall score.
| Paper | Time | Parts | Share of the total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 hour 30 minutes | 8 parts, 56 questions | 40% |
| Writing | 1 hour 30 minutes | 2 texts, 220–260 words each | 20% |
| Listening | about 40 minutes | 4 parts, 30 questions | 20% |
| Speaking | 15 minutes (in pairs) | 4 parts | 20% |
The Four Papers
What each part asks you to do.
Reading and Use of English
- Multiple-choice cloze: choose the right word for each gap (vocabulary).
- Open cloze: write the missing word (grammar and vocabulary).
- Word formation: change a given word to fit the gap.
- Key word transformations: rewrite a sentence using a given word.
- Multiple choice: detail, opinion, tone and implication in a long text.
- Cross-text multiple matching: compare the opinions of four writers.
- Gapped text: put missing paragraphs back into a text.
- Multiple matching: match questions to sections of a text.
Writing
- Essay (compulsory): discuss two points from a short input text and explain which is more important.
- Your choice of three: a letter or email, a proposal, a report or a review.
Each text: 220–260 words.
Listening
- Multiple choice: three short conversations, two questions each.
- Sentence completion: fill in information from a talk of about 3 minutes.
- Multiple choice: a conversation or interview of about 4 minutes.
- Multiple matching: five short monologues, two tasks at the same time.
Speaking
- Interview: questions about yourself and your opinions.
- Long turn: talk about photos for one minute, then comment on your partner's.
- Collaborative task: discuss ideas with your partner, then reach a decision.
- Discussion: a deeper conversation on the Part 3 topic.
Scores and Grades
Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale. Grade A earns a C2 certificate; a result just below C1 still earns a B2 certificate.
| Grade | Cambridge English Scale | Certificate level |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | 200–210 | C2 |
| Grade B | 193–199 | C1 |
| Grade C | 180–192 | C1 |
| Level B2 | 160–179 | B2 |
Scores from 142 to 159 are shown on the Statement of Results, but no certificate is awarded.
What Changes from B2 to C1?
The same exam family, but longer texts and more demanding tasks.
| B2 First | C1 Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | about 3.5 hours | about 4 hours |
| Reading and Use of English | 7 parts, 52 questions | 8 parts, 56 questions (adds cross-text matching) |
| Writing length | 140–190 words per text | 220–260 words per text |
| Writing task types | Essay, article, email/letter, review, report | Essay, letter/email, proposal, report, review |
| Key word transformations | 2–5 words | 3–6 words |
| What examiners look for | Clear, organised communication | Precise, flexible language, a range of structures and a suitable tone |
Use of English Taster
Six questions in the style of Reading and Use of English, Parts 1 to 4.
Try it
Parts 1 to 3: one word. Part 4: three to six words, including the word in capitals, without changing it.
It was ______ at my watch that I realised how late it was.
The castle ______ in the 12th century.
Show the answer key
- drawn: "draw criticism" is the fixed collocation.
- Despite: it is followed by a noun ("the heavy rain"); "although" would need a clause.
- significantly: an adverb is needed before the adjective "different".
- likelihood: a noun is needed after "a strong".
- only when I looked (also "only after/once I looked"): a cleft sentence with "It was only when …" for emphasis.
- is said to have been built: a passive reporting structure; "to have been" refers to the past.
How to Prepare
At C1, range and precision matter as much as accuracy.
✓Five Steps
- Check your level If B2 First feels comfortable, you are ready to start C1 training.
- Read widely Quality newspapers, magazines and non-fiction build the vocabulary and reading speed the long texts need.
- Advanced grammar Practise inversion, cleft sentences, passive reporting verbs and mixed conditionals for Part 4.
- Write with a purpose Learn the style of a proposal, report and review, and keep to 220–260 words.
- Develop your answers In Speaking, give reasons and examples, and react to what your partner says.
Sources: Cambridge English: C1 Advanced format · Cambridge English: C1 Statement of Results
Advanced English, certified for life.
Read widely, master the advanced structures, and practise every paper under exam conditions.
Range. Precision. Practice. Pass.
All Cambridge & European certificates