C1 Advanced (CAE)
- Level B2
- 160–179
- Grade C
- 180–192
- Grade B
- 193–199
- Grade A
- 200–210
Grades A, B and C are passes.
The exam in brief
- Level
- C1
- Length
- about 4 hours
- Format
- paper-based or digital
- Speaking test
- in a pair with one other candidate, with two examiners
- Fee
- €239
- Results
- digital exam: 5 to 10 working days; paper-based: 4 to 6 weeks
What the certificate shows
The C1 Advanced certificate shows that you understand demanding, longer texts and what is left unsaid in them, and that you use English flexibly in social, academic and professional situations.
Cambridge states that almost all universities in the United Kingdom accept C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. Always check the requirements of a particular course on its own website.
A candidate who passes the exam can
- follow teaching at university level
- communicate in a business setting, including at management level
- take part in meetings, presentations and seminars
- present business or academic material
- express themselves fluently and precisely, in speech and in writing
What the exam consists of
| Paper | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 90 minutes | 8 parts, 56 questions |
| Writing | 90 minutes | 2 parts |
| Listening | about 40 minutes | 4 parts, 30 questions |
| Speaking | 15 minutes per pair | 4 parts |
Who we recommend it for
We recommend it for final-year secondary school students and university students who plan to study abroad, and for people in work who need proof of advanced English. The exam is demanding: anyone who has not studied for an exam of this kind needs preparation before taking it.
Not sure whether you are at level B2 or C1? Read the guide B2 First or C1 Advanced or check your level.
How to prepare
Cambridge reckons on about 700 to 800 hours of guided learning from beginner level to reach C1. At this level what decides the result is practice in writing the set types of text, and the Speaking test in pairs.
- At a language school in your town: preparation centres.
- On our 30-hour course in Zagreb: preparation courses.
- How to study and what to watch out for: the guide How to prepare for B2 First and C1 Advanced.
Official Cambridge pages: Exam page, Sample tests and preparation materials
Dates and applying
Applications are accepted until the closing date shown with each session. After the closing date you can still apply up to ten days before the exam, for a late entry fee of €33, if there are places left.
| Written papers | Exam | City | Speaking | Apply by | Fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 December 2026 | C1 Advanceddigital | Split | 12/12/2026 | 1 December 2026Open for entries | €239 | Apply |
| 12 December 2026 | C1 Advanceddigital | Zagreb | 11–12 December 2026 | 1 December 2026Open for entries | €239 | Apply |
Questions about the exam
Is C1 Advanced the same as CAE?
Yes. The exam used to be called Certificate in Advanced English, CAE for short. Its name today is C1 Advanced, and the certificate and the level are the same as before.
What score do I need to pass?
For a level C1 certificate you need a score of 180 on the Cambridge English Scale (grade C). Grade B is from 193 to 199. With grade A, from 200 to 210, the certificate confirms level C2. With a score of 160 to 179 you receive a level B2 certificate.
C1 Advanced or IELTS?
Universities accept both exams. C1 Advanced does not expire and is taken at one level, while IELTS measures all levels and its result is usually treated as valid for two years. The guide Cambridge or IELTS compares the two.
Is C1 Advanced accepted for a visa?
Each country sets its own rules. For a student visa for the United Kingdom, for study at degree level or above, the university admitting you assesses your English itself and may accept C1 Advanced. For courses below that level a specially approved test (SELT) may be required. Australia accepts only paper-based C1 Advanced for visas. Always check the requirements on the official website of the country you are going to.
When do the results arrive?
For the digital exam, results are available 5 to 10 working days after the exam. For the paper-based exam it is usually 4 to 6 weeks. You see your result on the Cambridge website for candidates, using the details from your Confirmation of Entry. More on the Results and certificates page.
How long is the certificate valid?
A Cambridge certificate does not expire. Even so, individual institutions decide for themselves how old a result they accept, so check with the place where you will hand in the certificate.
Other exams
B2 First
Proof that you use English independently at level B2, for secondary school students, university students and people in work.
- Length
- about 3 hours 30 minutes
- Fee
- €229
C2 Proficiency
Proof of a command of English at the highest level, C2: for postgraduate study, research and the language professions.
- Length
- about 4 hours
- Fee
- €249