2/2/2021 C1 Advanced exam format | Cambridge English

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C1 Advanced
Exam format
C1 Advanced is a thorough test of all areas of language ability.

The updated exam (for exam sessions from January 2015) 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 test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to
use English to communicate.

Paper Content Purpose

Reading and Use of English
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction,
(1 hour 30 minutes) 8 parts/
newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with different types of
See sample paper (/Images/174025-advanced- 56 questions
exercise that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.
2015-sample-papers-1.zip)
Writing
(1 hour 30 minutes) You create two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters/emails,
2 parts
See sample paper (/Images/174025-advanced- proposals, reports and reviews.
2015-sample-papers-1.zip)
Listening
(about 40 minutes) 4 parts/ Tests your ability to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as
See sample paper (/Images/174025-advanced- 30 questions interviews, radio broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday conversations.
2015-sample-papers-1.zip)
Speaking
(15 minutes per pair of candidates) Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face–to–face situations. You will
4 parts
See sample paper (/Images/174025-advanced- take the Speaking test with another candidate.
2015-sample-papers-1.zip)

openbook
Reading and Use of English
compose
Writing
playlist
Listening
megaphone
Speaking

megaphone What’s in the Speaking paper?

The C1 Advanced Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate.

There are two examiners. One of the examiners conducts the test (asks you questions, gives you the paper with things to talk about, and so on). The
other examiner listens to what you say and takes notes.

Summary

Time allowed: 15 minutes per pair of candidates

Number of
4
parts:
with the examiner
You have to talk: with the other candidate
on your own

Part 1 (Interview)

What's in Part 1?
What do I have to practise?
How long do we have to speak?
Conversation between the candidates and the interlocutor. The examiner asks questions and
you may have to give information about your interests, studies, careers, etc.
Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics.
2 minutes

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2/2/2021
Part 2 (Long turn)
What's in Part 2?
What do I have to practise?
How long do we have to speak?
Part 3 (Collaborative task)
What's in Part 3?
What do I have to practise?
How long do we have to speak?
Part 4 (Discussion)
What's in Part 4?
What do I have to practise?
How long do we have to speak?
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C1 Advanced exam format | Cambridge English
The interlocutor gives you three pictures and asks you to talk about two of them. You have to
speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to
comment on what you have said for about 30 seconds. The other candidate receives a different
set of photographs and you have to listen and comment when they have finished speaking. The
questions you have to answer about your photographs are written at the top of the page to
remind you what you should talk about.
Talking on your own about something: comparing, describing, expressing opinions,
speculating.
1 minute per candidate, plus a 30-second response from the second candidate.
Conversation with the other candidate. The examiner gives you spoken instructions with
written prompts which are used in a discussion. You have to talk with the other candidate for
about 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of three) about the written prompts. After the
discussion time, the examiner will ask you another question which requires you to make a
decision. You have 1 minute to talk together and make the decision (2 minutes for groups of
three).
Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting,
speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.
3 minutes (a 2-minute discussion followed by a 1-minute decision-making task)
Further discussion with the other candidate based on the topics or issues raised in the task in
Part 3. The interlocutor asks each of you some questions and you discuss them with the other
candidate.
Expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing.
5 minutes
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