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Cambridge English: Advanced is also known as the Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE). This general English qualification shows that your English is of a standard expected of a professional business person or an undergraduate university student.
Cambridge English: Advanced is accepted by over 3,000 universities, colleges, employers and government departments around the world. The Cambridge English: Advanced certificate can be used to apply for:
- admission to nearly every university and college in the UK
- up to 70 additional UCAS Tariff points towards your UK college or university application
- admission to Australian universities, colleges and TAFE institutes
- an Australian student visa
- admission to universities and colleges in the USA and Canada.
Level of qualification: Advanced = C1 on the Common European Framework.
Who should take the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam?
You should take CAE if you want to prove to employers or universities that you can communicate confidently in English in professional and high-level academic situations. To take the exam you should be able to:
- write complex reports and emails, and take notes in meetings or lectures
- give presentations on complicated ideas in English
- understand a variety of texts, from fiction to newspaper opinion pieces.
How does the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam process work?
There are four parts to the CAE exam. You will complete papers Reading, Writing and Listening on the same day. The Speaking may be on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other candidate.
| CPE | Time allowed | Marks (% of total) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and use of English | 1 hr 30 mins | 40% |
| Writing | 1 hr 30 mins | 20% |
| Listening | 40 min | 20% |
| Speaking | 15 mins per pair of candidates | 20% |