Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced
A badge of excellence
C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), is one of the Cambridge English Qualifications. It is the in-depth, high-level qualification that shows you have the language skills that employers and universities are looking for. Preparing for C1 Advanced helps learners develop the skills to make the most of studying, working and living in English-speaking countries.

 C1 Advanced FAQs

  • Overview
  • The exam
  • Results
  • Support
  • Registration
A C1 Advanced qualification shows that you can:

> follow an academic course at university level;

> communicate effectively at a managerial and professional level;

> participate with confidence in workplace meetings or academic tutorials and seminars;

> express yourself with a high level of fluency.
Reasons to choose C1 Advanced:

> Monthly test dates available at 2,800 exam centres around the world.

> Accepted by over 9,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments.

> Opens doors to international travel, work and study.






Reliable and secure

General and
higher education leaflet
C1 Advanced uses research-based testing procedures to offer an in-depth, accurate and reliable evaluation of a student’s level of English. The Cambridge English Research and Validation team is the largest dedicated research facility of any UK-based language assessment organisation.
Find out more about research-based testing here...

The C1 Advanced results are reliable because Cambridge English has built high levels of security into every stage of the design, delivery and administration of the exam.
  • Exam papers are prepared, printed and despatched under secure conditions.
  • Exams Madrid, Cambridge English Authorised Centre ES459, is required to follow a detailed code of practice which ensures the highest standards of security throughout the testing process, from registration to the recording of results.
  • Photographs of all candidates are taken on the day of the exam and these can be viewed through the Cambridge English online Results Verification Service.
  • All papers are marked in Cambridge to further ensure security and quality. Sophisticated analysis techniques are used to guard against malpractice.
  • Certificates are printed on security-enhanced paper and include other concealed features to prevent forgery and malpractice.
Find out more about exam security here...

A Cambridge English qualification
Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world. It’s an achievement you can be really proud of.
What's in C1 Advanced?
C1 Advanced is a thorough test of all areas of language ability. The exam 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 exam uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

C1 Advanced has four papers:


Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes
The C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English paper has 8 parts and 56 questions and has a mix of text types and questions. This paper accounts for 40% of the total mark.

Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes
The C1 Advanced Writing paper has two parts. Candidates have to show that they can write different types of text in English. In Part 1 there is one compulsory question and in Part 2 candidates answer one question from a choice of three. This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark.

Listening: About 40 minutes
The C1 Advanced Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.This paper accounts for 20% of the total mark.

Speaking: 15 minutes per pair of candidates
The C1 Advanced Speaking shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and talking, for example, about your likes and dislikes. The test has four parts and will be conducted face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. There are two examiners. One examiner (the interlocutor) talks to you and the other examiner (the assessor) just listens. Both examiners decide your grade but the assessor gives more detailed marks than the interlocutor. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app. The Speaking test accounts for 20% of the total mark.



Exams Owl is our support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their

- Paper based exams - Computer based exams
- Answer keys - Regulations for candidates
- Exam day tips - Practice tests

YOU WILL FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ABOUT EXAM RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates


Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates


Useful resources to help you to prepare for your C1 Advanced exam
ALL THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR C1 ADVANCED EXAM ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya, Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the C1 Advanced exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips


Are you a private candidate?
It’s easy to register for C1 Advanced
in just three steps:
Step 1  Find an exam date

You can take the Cambridge English exams most months of the year.
Use our online search to find an exam date.

Step 2  Complete the registration form

You can complete the exam registration form online or come to our offices to register for an exam.

Step 3  Make payment

Payment must be made before the registration deadline. If you register or pay after the deadline a late fee will be applied.

Masterclass for Candidates included in the exam fee

This online class lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and is included in your exam fee. During the session, a teacher, expert on Cambridge Assessement English exams, will review the different questions in each paper with tips and in-depth advice on how to approach them.
We will also advise you about what to expect on the exam day so that you feel confident and better prepared.

We will send you the information to access the class when you have completed and paid for your exam registration.





You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:

  1. By credit/debit card




  2. By bank transfer to any of the following accounts:
    Banco Santander
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0049 4754 89 2516056032
    IBAN: ES9400494754892516056032
    Banco Sabadell
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0081 0053 54 0001180228
    IBAN: ES7300810053540001180228
    IMPORTANT: If you pay for your exam by bank transfer you should clearly state the name and surname/s of the candidate and the level and date of the exam session. All transfers must reach us free of bank charges or interest. Exams Madrid will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to [email protected] so that we may trace your payment with the bank. Your place on the exam will not be confirmed until we receive a payment receipt for the exam fee.

  3. At our offices:
    Registration and payment for exams may also be made at our offices. If candidates choose this option payment should be made on registering. Payment may be made in cash, by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

    Calle de Asura, 40
    2ª planta
    28043 Madrid
    Tel: 911 041 761
    Horario: de lunes a viernes 9am - 5pm

    The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.
IMPORTANT: After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam.
If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 911 041 761. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.

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