Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

Exam format
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is a thorough test of all areas of language ability.
The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) is made up of four papers developed to test your English language skills. You can see
exactly what’s in each paper below.

The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to
use English to communicate.

Paper Content Purpose

Reading and Use 8 parts/ Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction,
of English 56 questions newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with different types of
(1 hour 30 exercise that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.
minutes)
See sample paper

Writing 2 parts You create two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters/emails,
(1 hour 30 proposals, reports and reviews.
minutes)
See sample paper

Listening 4 parts/ Tests your ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as
(about 40 30 questions interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations.
minutes)
See sample paper
 Paper Content Purpose

Speaking 4 parts Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face–to–face situations. You
(15 minutes per will take the Speaking test with another candidate.
pair of candidates)
See sample paper

What’s in the Reading and Use of English paper?

The Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Reading and Use of English paper is in eight parts and has a mix of text types and questions.
Summary

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts: 8

Number of questions: 56

Lengths of texts: 3,000–3,500 words to read in total.

Texts may be from: Newspapers and magazines, journals, books (fiction and non-fiction),
promotional and informational materials.

Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze)

 What's in Part 1? A text in which there are some numbered gaps, each of which represents a
word or phrase. After the text there are four possible answers for each gap and
you have to choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).

What do I have to practise? Vocabulary – idioms, collocations, shades of meaning, phrasal verbs, fixed
phrases etc.

How many questions are there? 8

How many marks are there? 1 mark for each correct answer.

Part 2 (Open cloze)

What's in Part 2? A text in which there are some gaps, each of which represents one missing
word. You have to find the correct word for each gap.

What do I have to practise? Grammar and vocabulary.

How many questions are there? 8

How many marks are there? 1 mark for each correct answer.

Part 3 (Word formation)

 What's in Part 3? A text containing eight gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the
line is a ‘prompt’ word which you have to change in some way to complete
the sentence correctly.

What do I have to practise? Vocabulary.

How many questions are there? 8

How many marks are there? 1 mark for each correct answer.

Part 4 (Key word transformations)

What's in Part 4? Each question consists of a sentence followed by a ‘key’ word and a second
sentence with a gap in the middle. You have to use this key word to complete
the second sentence, in three to six words, so that it means the same as the
first sentence.

What do I have to practise? Grammar, vocabulary and collocation.

How many questions are there? 6

How many marks are there? Up to 2 marks for each correct answer.

Part 5 (Multiple choice)

 What's in Part 5? A text with some multiple-choice questions. For each question, there are four
options and you have to choose A, B, C or D.

What do I have to practise? Reading for detail, opinion, tone, purpose, main idea, implication, attitude.

How many questions are there? 6

How many marks are there? 2 marks for each correct answer.

Part 6 (Cross-text multiple matching)

What's in Part 6? Four short texts with multiple-matching questions. You must read across all
of the texts to match a prompt to elements in the texts.

What do I have to practise? Understanding and comparing opinions and attitudes across texts.

How many questions are there? 4

How many marks are there? 2 marks for each correct answer.

Part 7 (Gapped text)

What's in Part 7? A single page of text with some numbered gaps which represent missing
paragraphs. After the text there are some paragraphs which are not in the right
 order. You have to read the text and the paragraphs and decide which
paragraph best fits each gap.

What do I have to practise? How to understand the structure and development of a text.

How many questions are there? 6

How many marks are there? 2 marks for each correct answer.

Part 8 (Multiple matching)

What's in Part 8? A series of multiple-matching questions followed by a text or several short

texts. You have to match a prompt to elements in the text.

What do I have to practise? Reading for specific information, detail, opinion and attitude.

How many questions are there? 10

How many marks are there? 1 mark for each correct answer.

Results
From January 2015, Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) results will be reported on the new Cambridge English Scale (replacing the candidate
profile and standardised scores used before 2015).
You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and use of English, giving you a clear
understanding of your performance. These five scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.

All candidates receive a Statement of Results, and if you are successful in the exam you will also receive acertificate.
For more information about the Cambridge English Scale, download our factsheet.
Depending on which university, college or organisation you are applying to, you may be asked to achieve a specific score or grade, either overall or
for a particular skill. For Cambridge English: Advanced, the following scores will be used to report results:

Cambridge English Scale Score Grade/CEFR CEFR level

200–210 Grade A C2

193–199 Grade B C1

180–192 Grade C C1

160–179 Level B2 B2

The exam is targeted at Level C1 of the CEFR. The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above C1 (Level C2) and the level
below (Level B2).

Scores between 142 and 159 are also reported for Cambridge English: Advanced. You will not receive a certificate, but your Cambridge English Scale
score will be shown on your Statement of Results.
The relationship between the CEFR levels, the Cambridge English Scale and the grades awarded in Cambridge English: Advanced is illustrated
below:
What is a Statement of Results?

Your Statement of Results contains the following information:

 your score on the Cambridge English Scale for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and use of English
 your grade (A, B, C, Level B2) for the overall exam
 your CEFR level for the overall exam.