• Who is it for?

If you can communicate with confidence in English for work or study purposes, this is the exam for you.

CAE is taken by more than 60,000 people each year in more than 60 countries.

 

• What is the CAE test like?

The test has five sections:

 

 

 

1. Reading - 75 minutes

2. Writing - 2 or 3 tasks , 120 minutes

3. Use of English- 5 tasks with 50 questions - 60 minutes

4. Listening - 40 minutes, 30 questions

5. Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 15 minutes

 

 

 

• Score

A, B, C (pass), D, E or U (fail)

CAE pass is accepted for entry to some universities.

The Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening & Speaking sections each count for 20% of the marks.

You will receive a Statement of Results. If your performance ranges between CEFR Levels B2 and C2, you will also receive a certificate.

Pass grades:
Grade A (C2), Grade B (C1), Grade C (C1

 

If you do not pass, but still do reasonably well you are issued a B2 certificate.

You can do the CAE exam on a computer or on paper.

 

• When can I take the test?

Arrange with your closest test centre. The CAE test can be taken most months in either paper-based or computer-based format. Not all test centres will administer both types of test.

 

• How much does it cost to take CAE?

Fees are set by test centres. Expect to pay around €150 euros.

 

 

 

READING:

 

• The test has four sections and takes 75 minutes:

 

 

 

1. Part 1 - three themed texts with multiple-choice questions

2. Part 2 - text with 6 paragraphs mising

3. Part 3 - long text with multiple-choice questions

4. Part 4 - Multiple matching

 

 

1. Final del formulario

 

• Scoring

There are 34 questions in the CAE Reading Test. It makes up 20% of the entire exam.

 

• How to prepare for the CAE Reading test

 

 

 

1. Read widely. The texts used in the CAE reading can be: newspapers, magazines, journals, non-literary books, leaflets, brochures, etc

2. Read the instructions carefully before you start

3. Read all the text before you answer any questions

4. Remember that questions come in the same order as the answers in the text in the multiple-choice part of the paper.

 

 

• Part 1 - three themed texts with multiple-choice questions

 

Final del formulario

In this part, there are three themed texts followed by two 4-option multiple-choice questions on each text.

You are going to read three extracts which are concerned in some way with music. For questions 1-6, choose the answer which you think fits best according to the text.

 

Extract from a brochure

 

Iford Manor Festival Season

Iford Manor has been described as one of the most stunning concert venues in the West Country.  Throughout high summer, Iford Arts stages an internationally renowned festival in a breathtakingly beautiful pastoral setting. Operatic performances are staged in-the-round in the intimate surroundings of the Italianate Cloister, which could not be more perfect in terms of scale and style. While the classical backdrop could hardly be more fitting, the real delight for our audiences is that, as the sky turns purple overhead, the first stars appear and the first heady notes resound across the countryside, no-one is seated less than twenty feet from the performers. The opportunity for a relaxing pre-show picnic in our tranquil gardens overlooking the meandering River Frome will complete an already magical experience.

Iford Arts, a registered charity promoting the appreciation of performing arts in the west of England, aims to benefit the local community by engaging young professional artists and stimulating young people’s enjoyment of being involved in live performances.  We hope to support young musicians in their career development by encouraging them to develop repertoire and perform to a supportive audience and providing the exquisite environment in which to do so. Iford Arts does not receive any public subsidies, relying on vital private contributions. We offer various levels of private patronage and corporate sponsorship, each providing a range of privileges such as priority booking.

 

1  

What aspect of Iford Manor is emphasized in the first paragraph?

 

Principio del formulario

 the Italian-style architecture
 the countryside location
 the seating arrangements
 the quality of the music

 

2  

What is the main purpose in the second paragraph?

 

 To describe the history of the performances
 To encourage young musicians to perform at the Manor
 To encourage people to donate to the charity
 To inform people about how they can be involved in charity work

 

3  

In the second paragraph, why does the character mention the ‘romantic novels where the entrapped heroine finds her freedom and salvation through music’?

 

 

Principio del formulario

 Because she envies the heroines’ musical talent
 Because she feels in a similar position to these heroines
 Because the heroine’s experiences contrast strongly with her own
 Because she wishes that music will give her a similar sense of freedom

4  

Why does the character in the text ‘hammer out that lullaby’ (last paragraph )?

 

 She wishes to create disruption in the house.
 She dislikes the music of this classical composer.
 She is angry because she would rather be outside.
 She is attempting to express herself through music.

5  

What does the study seek to do?

 

 

Principio del formulario

 Investigate an issue which is already widely accepted
 Prove a hypothesis which may revolutionise teaching
 Challenge a popular idea
 Improve the literacy skills in two neighbouring schools

 

6  

The purpose of the underlined text is:

 

 to provide an explanation for their theory
 to suggest how their data could be used practically
 to suggest reasons why their data may appear inconsistent
 to give support to their findings