All you need to know about exam – C1 Advanced (CAE)
FCE, CAE, CPE
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Get your writing checked, track your progress online.Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.
Is there an age limit for the CAE exam?
No. There is no such limit 🙂 – Cambridge accepts candidates of all ages.
Some exams are specifically designed with candidates of a certain age in mind, however, candidates of any age are welcome to take any exam.
Exams with a suggested age range are:
- B1 Preliminary for Schools – secondary school
- B2 First for Schools – secondary school
- International English Testing System (IELTS) – recommended for candidates aged 16+
How much does the exam cost? / Is the exam free?
Unfortunately, the CAE exam is not free. 🙁 What’s more, prices for C1 Advanced exams can vary as the test centres in each country decide on the final price of the test.
Example prices (2023):
| Country | Exam | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 225.00 EUR |
| Poland | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 650 PLN |
| Netherlands | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 323.00 EUR |
| Czech Republic | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 5000.00 Kc |
| Mexico | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 4,650.00 MXN |
| Bulgaria | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 407.00 лв |
| Portugal | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 203.00 EUR |
| Germany | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 323.00 EUR |
| United Kingdom | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 265 GBP |
| India | C1 Advanced (CAE) | 6,000 Rs. |
In most centres, you can pay by bank transfer or in person with a debit or credit card (VISA / Master Card).
What are the exam dates in 2023?
The following tables contain available dates defined by Cambridge, but please contact your local examination centre to find out about dates in your area.
Find out when you can take your Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) exam.
| 2022 | 7Jan, 4 Feb, 22 Feb, 11 Mar, 18 Mar, 22 Apr, 6 May, 11 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 7 Jun, 17 Jun, 8 Jul, 28 Jul, 25 Aug, 9 Sep, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 29 Nov, 9 Dec, 16 Dec |
| 2023 | 21 Jan, 11 Feb, 10 Mar, 1 Apr, 11 May, 18 May, 27 May, 6 Jun, Sat 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 15 Jul, 29 Jul, 19 Aug, 16 Sep, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 1 Dec, 13 Dec |
| Country | Exam | Exam dates 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Spain |
| Italy | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Italy |
| Poland | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Poland |
| Romania | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Romania |
| Netherlands | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Netherlands |
| Czech Republic | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Czech |
| Mexico | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Mexico |
| Hungary | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Hungary |
| Bulgaria | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Bulgaria |
| Portugal | C1 Advanced (CAE) | Check dates in Portugal |
FCE, CAE, CPE
Practice, Write & Improve
Get your writing checked, track your progress online.Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.
What are the benefits of the CAE?
- More than 9,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments around the world accept C1 Advanced as proof of high-level achievement in learning English
- Once you have taken the Cambridge First Certificate, your result is valid for life! This means you don’t have to take it ever again.
- The exams achieve their primary purpose – helping you gain the confidence you need to communicate effectively in English!
- Opens doors to international travel, work and study.
A certification on your CV will make you stand out from the crowd as it not only shows you have that level of English officially but also speaks volumes about your effort, willpower and determination, values that will not go unnoticed by prospective employers.- It grants exemption from lectures and final English language exams at some universities and allows participation in exchange programmes between universities
- Combined with the appropriate pedagogical training, it gives the right to teach English in primary schools, middle schools and high schools in some countries
How many candidates fail the exam? / What is the pass rate?
The number of people who pass or fail the CAE exam varies from country to country but based on global statistics only less than 5% fail the exam completely. 20% of the candidates get a B2 grade.
The rest, i.e. about 75%, pass the exam with a C1 or C2 grade.
- Grade A – C2 level – 13%
- Grade B-C – C1 level – 64%
- Level B2 – 20%
- Fail – 5%
If you want to see the results in your country click below “See the full list of countries”.
| Location | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Level B2 | Fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 12.8% | 23.0% | 45.4% | 17.7% | 1.1% |
| Bulgaria | 18.2% | 27.0% | 37.6% | 15.9% | 1.4% |
| Japan | 3.9% | 10.7% | 32.0% | 44.7% | 8.7% |
| Mexico | 6.8% | 16.4% | 41.8% | 28.9% | 6.2% |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
| Grand Total | 13% | 21.3% | 42.2% | 20% | 5% |
| Location | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Level B2 | Fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 9.7% | 11.8% | 36.6% | 33.3% | 8.6% |
| Algeria | 12.9% | 3.2% | 41.9% | 29.0% | 12.9% |
| Andorra | 0.0% | 16.7% | 55.6% | 27.8% | 0.0% |
| Angola | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 37.5% | 62.5% |
| Argentina | 12.8% | 23.0% | 45.4% | 17.7% | 1.1% |
| Armenia | 5.2% | 10.3% | 25.9% | 49.1% | 9.5% |
| Australia | 7.1% | 16.4% | 44.7% | 26.3% | 5.5% |
| Austria | 28.1% | 28.6% | 32.4% | 9.9% | 0.9% |
| Azerbaijan | 10.3% | 6.9% | 20.7% | 31.0% | 31.0% |
| Belarus | 19.5% | 20.4% | 38.1% | 20.4% | 1.8% |
| Belgium | 10.7% | 17.1% | 42.5% | 27.5% | 2.1% |
| Bolivia | 5.9% | 12.7% | 44.1% | 28.4% | 8.8% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.9% | 11.8% | 62.7% | 17.6% | 2.0% |
| Brazil | 9.0% | 17.9% | 42.3% | 26.2% | 4.5% |
| Bulgaria | 18.2% | 27.0% | 37.6% | 15.9% | 1.4% |
| Cambodia | 0.0% | 0.0% | 15.4% | 42.3% | 42.3% |
| Canada | 8.5% | 18.5% | 41.3% | 28.2% | 3.5% |
| Chile | 12.3% | 17.0% | 39.3% | 27.4% | 4.0% |
| China | 4.1% | 7.7% | 38.6% | 41.8% | 7.8% |
| Colombia | 7.3% | 5.5% | 20.9% | 49.1% | 17.3% |
| Costa Rica | 9.8% | 17.2% | 47.5% | 20.5% | 4.9% |
| Cote D’ivoire | 12.5% | 6.3% | 31.3% | 50.0% | 0.0% |
| Croatia | 28.7% | 29.9% | 32.2% | 8.6% | 0.6% |
| Cuba | 0.0% | 44.4% | 33.3% | 22.2% | 0.0% |
| Cyprus | 10.3% | 17.2% | 41.4% | 27.6% | 3.4% |
| Czech Republic | 25.6% | 28.4% | 36.4% | 8.8% | 0.7% |
| Denmark | 27.7% | 29.0% | 29.4% | 11.2% | 2.6% |
| Dominican Republic | 5.9% | 35.3% | 23.5% | 11.8% | 23.5% |
| Ecuador | 7.1% | 14.6% | 39.4% | 33.0% | 5.8% |
| Egypt | 0.0% | 27.6% | 20.7% | 31.0% | 20.7% |
| Estonia | 17.6% | 25.5% | 39.7% | 16.6% | 0.6% |
| Fiji | 1.5% | 1.5% | 37.9% | 39.4% | 19.7% |
| Finland | 17.9% | 35.7% | 33.9% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| France | 13.0% | 19.0% | 44.2% | 21.3% | 2.5% |
| Georgia | 8.4% | 21.7% | 26.5% | 41.0% | 2.4% |
| Germany | 20.5% | 25.6% | 37.6% | 14.6% | 1.6% |
| Greece | 8.3% | 20.2% | 45.4% | 22.5% | 3.7% |
| Guadeloupe | 12.5% | 7.8% | 37.5% | 32.8% | 9.4% |
| Guatemala | 6.3% | 43.8% | 43.8% | 6.3% | 0.0% |
| Hong Kong | 25.0% | 18.3% | 31.7% | 23.3% | 1.7% |
| Hungary | 23.3% | 26.8% | 36.7% | 11.4% | 1.7% |
| India | 16.1% | 9.8% | 17.8% | 19.4% | 36.9% |
| Indonesia | 6.0% | 20.0% | 36.0% | 30.0% | 8.0% |
| Ireland | 7.3% | 13.6% | 39.6% | 32.7% | 6.8% |
| Italy | 12.0% | 22.5% | 43.9% | 19.8% | 1.8% |
| Japan | 3.9% | 10.7% | 32.0% | 44.7% | 8.7% |
| Kazakhstan | 0.0% | 16.7% | 33.3% | 0.0% | 50.0% |
| Kenya | 17.4% | 43.5% | 30.4% | 8.7% | 0.0% |
| Korea (Republic of ) | 6.1% | 18.4% | 42.9% | 30.6% | 2.0% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 10.5% | 10.5% | 36.8% | 26.3% | 15.8% |
| Laos | 18.2% | 27.3% | 18.2% | 36.4% | 0.0% |
| Latvia | 26.8% | 32.1% | 25.0% | 12.5% | 3.6% |
| Lebanon | 2.0% | 5.6% | 18.1% | 32.2% | 42.1% |
| Lithuania | 25.9% | 29.6% | 28.7% | 13.9% | 1.9% |
| Luxembourg | 18.0% | 16.9% | 38.2% | 18.0% | 9.0% |
| Macedonia | 23.8% | 27.7% | 32.7% | 12.9% | 3.0% |
| Malaysia | 16.0% | 14.3% | 29.7% | 23.6% | 16.5% |
| Maldives | 9.8% | 20.3% | 43.2% | 23.5% | 3.2% |
| Malta | 9.7% | 12.6% | 32.0% | 35.9% | 9.7% |
| Mauritius | 7.7% | 15.4% | 69.2% | 7.7% | 0.0% |
| Mexico | 6.8% | 16.4% | 41.8% | 28.9% | 6.2% |
| Moldova (Republic of) | 12.6% | 16.6% | 44.3% | 23.3% | 3.2% |
| Montenegro | 7.7% | 30.8% | 46.2% | 7.7% | 7.7% |
| Morocco | 4.3% | 8.7% | 27.5% | 30.4% | 29.0% |
| Myanmar | 0.0% | 0.0% | 55.6% | 33.3% | 11.1% |
| Nepal | 25.0% | 50.0% | 25.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Netherlands | 18.3% | 33.2% | 40.7% | 7.4% | 0.3% |
| New Caledonia | 5.0% | 5.0% | 45.0% | 25.0% | 20.0% |
| New Zealand | 7.6% | 21.0% | 48.5% | 22.1% | 0.8% |
| Norway | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pakistan | 5.1% | 12.8% | 30.8% | 41.0% | 10.3% |
| Panama | 22.2% | 19.4% | 27.8% | 27.8% | 2.8% |
| Paraguay | 10.2% | 24.5% | 40.8% | 20.4% | 4.1% |
| Peru | 7.8% | 13.6% | 41.7% | 32.2% | 4.6% |
| Philippines | 14.0% | 12.0% | 44.0% | 22.0% | 8.0% |
| Poland | 23.5% | 27.7% | 35.3% | 12.1% | 1.4% |
| Portugal | 18.8% | 28.8% | 40.6% | 11.0% | 0.8% |
| Reunion | 12.5% | 12.5% | 31.3% | 37.5% | 6.3% |
| Romania | 23.5% | 28.6% | 36.1% | 10.6% | 1.1% |
| Russia | 14.2% | 21.9% | 40.4% | 20.9% | 2.6% |
| Saudi Arabia | 63.8% | 16.6% | 12.4% | 3.6% | 3.6% |
| Serbia | 23.6% | 28.1% | 35.1% | 11.6% | 1.6% |
| Singapore | 0.0% | 0.0% | 60.0% | 40.0% | 0.0% |
| Slovak Republic | 24.8% | 28.2% | 36.1% | 9.5% | 1.4% |
| Slovenia | 32.0% | 29.0% | 33.0% | 5.0% | 1.0% |
| South Africa | 28.7% | 12.3% | 26.3% | 18.6% | 14.0% |
| Spain | 6.7% | 17.1% | 50.4% | 24.3% | 1.5% |
| Sri Lanka | 6.5% | 9.9% | 25.5% | 28.1% | 30.0% |
| Sweden | 29.2% | 28.1% | 32.1% | 9.7% | 0.8% |
| Switzerland | 13.3% | 21.2% | 43.5% | 20.7% | 1.4% |
| Taiwan | 7.8% | 9.8% | 39.2% | 37.3% | 5.9% |
| Thailand | 12.5% | 21.9% | 46.9% | 17.2% | 1.6% |
| Tunisia | 2.9% | 13.2% | 35.3% | 38.2% | 10.3% |
| Turkey | 25.0% | 9.3% | 21.1% | 26.5% | 18.1% |
| Ukraine | 12.0% | 17.5% | 33.5% | 31.9% | 5.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 28.1% | 16.1% | 18.4% | 15.0% | 22.4% |
| United Kingdom | 10.5% | 20.0% | 43.0% | 23.9% | 2.6% |
| United States of America | 5.8% | 14.1% | 47.8% | 28.2% | 4.0% |
| Uruguay | 5.7% | 18.0% | 48.8% | 26.2% | 1.4% |
| Uzbekistan | 3.0% | 9.1% | 27.3% | 39.40% | 21.2% |
| Vietnam | 6.8% | 13.0% | 27.7% | 23.2% | 29.4% |
| Grand Total | 13% | 21.3% | 42.2% | 20% | 5% |
Would you pass C1 Advanced (CAE)?
Sign up, resolve the tests and see what results you get.What is the exam duration?
Usually, the exam takes two days. On the first day you will struggle with Reading, Use of English, Writing and Listening, on the second day with Speaking
- Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening – 3 hours and 40 minutes.
- Speaking – 15 minutes
The entire C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, i.e. Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking last a total of 4 hours and 5 minutes!
| Paper | Time/Duration |
|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Writing | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Listening | about 40 minutes |
| Speaking | 15 minutes per pair of candidates |
| Total: 4 hours and 5 minutes |
FCE, CAE, CPE
More than Practice Tests
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Does Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) expire?
Your Cambridge English exam result/certificate does not have an expiry date. 🙂 Unlike the TOEFL and IELTS exams which are only valid for 2 years, the Cambridge exams (FCE, CAE, CPE) are valid FOR LIFE!
NOTICE: Some institutions will only accept certificates taken within the last 2 or 3 years, although many will accept evidence that you have taken action to maintain or improve your level of English since taking your exam.
When will my exam results be available?
When you entered for your exam, your exam centre should have provided you with a Confirmation of Entry document, telling you the final date by which your results will be available. If you have not received your results by this date, please contact your centre who will be able to assist you.
- paper-based exams – around six to nine weeks after the exam date.
- computer-based exams – about two weeks after the exam.
Results for CAE exams are released as quickly as possible. All results are released as soon as they are ready, which is why some candidates may receive their results before others.
Where are the exam centres? / How to register for your exam?
To register for your Cambridge English exam, you will need to find an authorised exam centre. Once you have found your local exam centre they will tell you how to book your exam, exam dates and preparation courses.
| Country | Exam centres by country |
|---|---|
| Spain | Find centres in Spain |
| Italy | Find centres in Italy |
| Poland | Find centres in Poland |
| Romania | Find centres in Romania |
| Netherlands | Find centres in the Netherlands |
| Czech Republic | Find centres in Czech Republic |
| Mexico | Find centres in Mexico |
| Hungary | Find centres in Hungary |
| Bulgaria | Find centres in Bulgaria |
| Portugal | Find centres in Portugal |
FCE, CAE, CPE
Practice, Write & Improve
Get your writing checked, track your progress online.Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.
What is the equivalent of the CAE exam?
IELTS
A passing grade in C1 Advanced (CAE) would be the equivalent of about 7.0 in IELTS.
TOEFL
A passing grade in C1 Advanced (CAE) would be the equivalent of about 10-11/95-110 in TOEFL.
TOEIC
A passing grade in C1 Advanced (CAE) would be the equivalent of about 945-990 in TOEIC.
PTE
A passing grade in C1 Advanced (CAE) would be the equivalent of about 76-85 in PTE
FCE, CAE, CPE
Practice Tests Online
Get your writing checked, track your progress online.Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.
How is C1 Advanced (CAE) score scale calculated?
(Grade A) – Students scoring 200 or above will receive a Cambridge English certificate for level C2 - (Grade B-C) – A score of 180 or above is considered a “pass” and students with that score will receive a certificate, which corresponds to a level C1
- (No Grade) – Students scoring between 160 and 179 will receive a B2-level English certificate.
- Students scoring under 160 will not receive a certificate.
| Reading There are 50 possible marks in the Reading section. |  |
| Use of English There are 28 possible marks in the Use of English section. |  |
| Writing There are 40 possible marks for the whole paper. |  |
| Listening There are 30 possible marks on the Listening paper |  |
| Speaking There are 75 marks available in the Speaking test |  |
exam level
exam preparation/practice/
computer based exam