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Certificate in Advanced English | Cambridge English: Advanced

Indicates a high level of competence in English for learners who are reaching a standard of English that is adequate for most purposes, including business and study. It is recognised by the majority of British universities as proof of adequate language skills for courses taught and assessed in English.

From March 2012 all candidates taking Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) are required to have their photograph taken on the day of their test.

We are introducing this because of the increase in candidates using their Cambridge English: Advanced qualification for immigration purposes and applying for work, university and college.

When candidates register to take the exam, they will be asked to sign to give their consent for the photograph. If candidates are under 18, their parents will need to give consent. ( Please see the application form)

Test day photos ensure that your exam is secure and is even more trusted and valued. Photos taken on the day of the test are made available on the Results Verification Service website along with your test results.

Candidates can control who can access their results and view their photo by giving your Candidate ID number and Candidate secret number to universities, employers and other organisations you want to be able to verify your results.  

This new regulation is one of a series of measures that have been introduced by Cambridge ESOL in order to further enhance the security and integrity of the Cambridge English: Advanced examination.

EXAMINATION CONTENT
Reading (1 hour and 15 minutes)
This component has 4 parts with different types of texts and questions, with about 3000 words to read in total.Tasks include multiple choice, gapped text, multiple matching. Candidates should be able to read for specific information, text organisation features, main idea, detail, tone, text structure etc. Reading carries 20% of the total marks.
Writing (1 hour and 30 minutes)

This component consists of 2 parts, both carry equal marks. Each task has a given purpose and a target reader.

  1. Compulsory task – using information from a given text, you may have to write an article, a report, a proposal or a letter; length: 180–220 words.
  2. Choice from 4 tasks. Based upon a given text describing a situation, you will be asked to write an article, a competition entry, a contribution to a longer piece, an essay, an information sheet, a letter, a proposal, a report, or a review. Last option of the four is a task based on one of the two prescribed reading texts; the CAE set texts for 2013 are the following:
    • William Golding: Lord of the Flies
      (Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying a film version as well as, or instead of, the novel.)
    • P.D. James: The Lighthouse
      (There is currently no film version of this book.)

Writing carries 20% of the total marks.

Use of English (1 hour)
This component consists of 5 parts with total of 50 questions. Candidates are expected to show their knowledge of lexis, grammar and vocabulary (phrases and collocations, shades of meaning, phrasal verbs etc.) by completing a number of tasks including multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, key word transformations. Use of English carries 20% of the total marks.
Listening (40 minutes)
This component consists of 4 parts. Candidates have to listen for opinion, purpose, specific information, main ideas, attitude etc. Tasks include multiple choice, sentence completion, multiple matching. Listening carries 20% of the total marks.
Speaking (15 minutes per pair of candidates)
This component consists of 4 parts. It includes speaking on your own as well as conversation with the examiner and discussion with the other candidate in a pair. You should be able to express and justify your opinion on various topics, talk on your own, exchange ideas, take part in a discussion (suggesting, speculating, agreeing/disagreeing), reach a conclusion etc. Speaking carries 20% of the total marks.
What grades can I receive?

Candidates receive a standardised score for the whole exam on a fixed scale out of 100. It is not necessary to achieve a satisfactory level in all five papers in order to pass the examination. The minimum score you need to achieve a passing grade is 60. There are fixed values for each CAE grade:

Grade A = 80–100 (Certificate at level C2, equivalent to CPE)
Grade B = 75–79 (Certificate at level C1)
Grade C = 60–74 (Certificate at level C1)
Level B2 = 45–59
Fail         = 0–44

If you have achieved a grade A in your exam, you will receive Certificate in Advanced English stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C2. If you have achieved grade B od C in your exam, you will be awarded Certificate in Advanced English at Level C1. If your performance is below Level C1, but falls within Level B2, you will receive a Cambridge English certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at B2 level.

Preparation materials

Textbooks for exam preparation:

  • Objective CAE (CUP)
  • Common Mistakes at CAE (CUP)
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CUP)
  • CAE Practice Tests, New Edition 2008 (OUP)
  • CAE Result 2008 (OUP)
  • CAE Practice Tests Plus New Edition 2008 (Pearson Longman)
  • CAE Gold Plus (Pearson Longman)
  • Expert CAE New Edition (Pearson Longman)
  • Ready for CAE (New Edition – 2008) (Macmillan)
  • Advanced Language Practice (Macmillan)
  • CAE Testbuilder (Macmillan)
  • Premium C1, (Pearson Longman)
  • CAE iTest Access Card (for online practice tests on iTests.com)

You can take computer-based CAE instead of a paper-based test. Find out more by clicking here.

Do you want to register for CAE? Click here for more information about registration.

For more information about CAE and useful resources visit the Cambridge ESOL candidate support website - CAE.

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