Is C1 Advanced the same as CAE?

Yes. CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) is the old name. The current name is C1 Advanced.

Do I need B2 First first?

No. You can go straight to C1 Advanced if your level is high enough. A level check helps you choose.

What is a good score?

180 is a pass. 193 or more is grade B, and 200 or more shows C2 level.

Cambridge exams

C1 Advanced: what it is and how to prepare

C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) is a Cambridge exam for high level English. It shows you can work and study at a demanding level.

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The four papers

C1 Advanced papers
Paper	What you do	Parts
Reading and Use of English	Long texts, and grammar and vocabulary tasks	8
Writing	An essay, then a letter, email, proposal, report or review	2
Listening	Recordings with several speakers	4
Speaking	With another candidate and two examiners, about 15 minutes	4

Cambridge updates its exams from time to time. Check the current format on the Cambridge English website before you register.

Scores and results

The scale runs from 160 to 210. 180 is a pass at C1.
200 or more shows C2 level (grade A).
160 to 179 shows B2 level, and you still get a certificate.
The certificate does not expire, though some institutions ask for a recent one.

What changes from B2

Precision: the exact word, not a close one.
Range: idioms, phrasal verbs and collocations, used naturally.
Register: formal and informal, chosen on purpose.
Speed: longer texts in the same amount of time.

Prepare with Pili

The C1 Advanced course is 16 weeks: 32 live classes of 60 minutes, mock exams with feedback and a study plan. Pili prepares you for the exam. You register through an authorized Cambridge centre.

Practice

Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. Use the key word without changing it. Write between two and five words, including the key word.

Complete the second sentence with the key word.

1. I regret not studying harder.
WISH
Iharder.
2. She had barely sat down when the meeting began.
SOONER
Nodown than the meeting began.
3. I can't stand his rudeness.
PUT
I can'this rudeness.
4. Someone cleans the windows for us every month.
HAVE
Weevery month.
5. Everyone believes that the thief escaped by car.
BELIEVED
The thiefescaped by car.
6. It doesn't matter which day you choose.
DIFFERENCE
Itwhich day you choose.

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Questions

Is C1 Advanced the same as CAE?: Yes. CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) is the old name. The current name is C1 Advanced.
Do I need B2 First first?: No. You can go straight to C1 Advanced if your level is high enough. A level check helps you choose.
What is a good score?: 180 is a pass. 193 or more is grade B, and 200 or more shows C2 level.

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