This document provides a detailed overview of the Cambridge Exam for the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), including the exam structure, scoring criteria, and descriptions of each component: reading and use of English, writing, listening, and speaking. It offers practical tips for preparation, such as suggested resources for reading and listening, writing practices, and speaking exercises. Key dos and don'ts for each section of the exam are also outlined, along with helpful links for additional resources.

1. +
Cambridge Exam
Spring 2014

2. +
The Common European Framework
of Reference

3. +
Exam overview
 Reading & Use of English, 1 hour 30 minutes, 8 parts
 Writing, 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 texts 220-260 words
 Listening, 40 min, 4 parts
 Speaking, 15 minutes, 4 parts
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdGudT4Wu0&list=PLHXxw_fD9hAeQs7D26CFYB1fPw6heRsky

4. +
Your CAE result
 Each of the listed components of the test counts for 25% of
your total score.
 To be awarded the Certificate in Advanced English you have to
receive a pass grade (A, B or C).
Passing grade
Grade A: 80% or more
Grade B: 75-79%
Grade C: 60-74%

5. +
Reading and Use of English
 Part 1: Multiple choice cloze. Choose the correct word out of
4 alternatives. Phrases, collocations, idioms, linkers etc.
 Part 2: Open cloze. Fill gaps in a text of about. Mainly “form
words” such as prepositions, linkers etc. Tests grammatical and
lexio-grammatical knowledge
 Part 3: Word formation. Form words from a stem.
Grammatical and lexical knowledge.
 Part 4: Key word transformation. Transform information from
one sentence to another using a given word.

6. +
Reading and Use of English
 Part 5: Multiple choice. Understanding opinions and details.
Longer text with 6 questions.
 Part 6: Cross text multiple matching: Match 4 statements
with 4 shorter texts. Test ability of understanding opinion and
attitude (NEW)
 Part 7: Gapped texts. Decide where paragraphs belong in a
text. Difficult. Tests understanding of text structure. Look for
linking words and nouns before and after the gaps.
 Part 8: Multiple matching. Match prompts to sections in the
text. Understanding specific information

7. +
How to practice: Reading
 Read extensively in your spare time; focus on non-fiction and
articles.
 Tips: Bookmark English newspapers and read at least one article a day
(e.g. www.guardian.com, www.huffingtonpost.com etc)
 Install Stumbleupon to find English texts and articles about topics that
interest you
 Get accustomed to how the different parts are structured and what
it is they test.
 Different ways of reading; Scanning for specific information,
skimming a text to get the general meaning or detail reading to
thoroughly understand a text.
 Prediction-techniques; title, sub-title, key words give you ideas of
what to expect from the text.

8. +
How to practice: Use of English
 Read, read, read and surround yourself with English to get
more familiar with expressions and sayings. This will practice
your natural sense of the language.
 Widen your vocabulary. Play Selingua (PC) and freerice
(www.freerice.com) 10 min/day .
 Practice grammar, in the textbook and online (see list of useful
links). I can also provide advanced working sheets.
 Learn about prefixes, suffixes and word stems to easier predict
what a word means.

9. +
Writing (5 different texts)
 Part 1: An Essay with a discursive focus
Write an essay based on two points given in an
input text. Explain which point is most important and
give reasons for your opinions.
220-260 words
 Part 2: Letter/email, proposal, report or review.
Choose one out of five tasks. Clear context,
topic, purpose and audience is given.
220-260 words

10. +
How to practice: Writing
 Write a diary in English to get used to being able to express
yourself quickly in English.
 Study the different text types (see compendium). Form, style, tone
etc.
 Use linking words! Memorize them and learn how to properly use
them creating flow and coherence in your texts.
 Practice using a more complex language. If you make mistakes
you still get extra credits for trying. Vary your sentence structure!
 Practice writing texts within the word limit since counting words in
the examination wastes time.

11. +
W – Who is the target reader
R – Reason for writing
I – Include what?
T – Task type
E – Edit (and check) your work

12. +
Listening
 Part 1: Short extracts. Multiple-choice questions.
 Part 2: Sentence completion. Write a word or a short phrase
heard in the monologue. Test ability to understand specific
information.
 Part 3: Multiple choice. Choose the best answer. Ability to
understand opinions and attitude.
 Part 4: Multiple matching. Select the correct answer form a list
of eight options. Understand attitude, main points and context.

13. +
How to practice: Listening
 Get familiar with the different parts to know what to expect and
listen for (specific information, opinion, attitude, primary
meaning etc.)
 Listen to English podcasts. Download them to your phone and
listen on the way to school. Listen to an audiobook.
 Always read the question carefully and try to predict what will
come.
 Don’t get stuck if you don’t understand everything straight
away. You will hear it twice.

14. +
Speaking
 Part 1: Conversation between candidate and interlocutor about
personal questions.
 Part 2: Individual long turns and brief responses. Talk for about
one minute on your own about a set of pictures.
 Part 3: Two way interaction between candidates. Discuss a
problem solving task. Tests ability to interact, exchange ideas,
agree or disagree etc.
 Part 4: Conversation between candidate and interlocutor about
wider issues connected to topic in part 3.

15. +
How to practice: Speaking
 Learn how the test is constructed and what is demanded of you
in the different parts. If it’s expressing opinions, give responses,
interact etc.
 Practice to express yourself freely in English. Have discussions
with your friends in English from time to time discussing
pictures and “staging” old speaking exams.
 Try using more complex language. Write down phrases and
synonyms that might be useful.

16. +
Dos and DON’Ts: Reading
 DO
 Skim through the text for
general understanding.
 Read the instructions very
carefully – they set the scene
and give you initial orientation.
 Highlight or underline
important words in the
questions.
 Decide what type of question
you are answering and then
employ the correct reading skill,
especially in the multiple-choice
part.
 Don’t
 Don’t spend too much time
on any one part of the paper.
 Don’t forget to transfer all
your answers to the answer
sheet.
 Don’t be put off by or get
stuck on difficult
vocabulary – it may become
clear by reading on or by later
rereading.

17. +
Dos and DON’Ts: Use of English
 DO
 Check your spelling in all parts
of the test.
 Read the surrounding
context before giving an answer.
 Read the instructions, the
information about the texts, the
titles and the texts before starting
to answer.
 Read the texts again to check
your answers make sense.
 DON’T
 Don’t leave any questions
unanswered.
 Don’t give alternative
answers for any questions.
 Don’t wait until the end to
copy all your answers on to
your answer sheet.

18. +
Dos and DON’Ts: Writing
 DO
 Read the task carefully and
plan an answer which addresses
all the content points of the task.
Try to develop each point fully
 Demonstrate a good range of
vocabulary and structures as
well as writing accurately to get a
good mark.
 Consider who the ‘target
reader’ is and the genre (e.g.
newspaper article, formal letter)
for each question and try to write
in an appropriate style and tone.
 DON’T
 Don’t write answers that are
much longer than the word
limit as this means you may
have included a lot of irrelevant
material. Plan your answer
carefully to avoid this.
 Don’t spend to much time on
the first question
 Don’t use a pencil.

19. +
Dos and DON’Ts: Listening
 DO
 Listen to and read the
instructions to understand what you
have to do.
 Think about the topic, the
speaker(s) and the context as you
read the questions.
 Use the pause to read the
questions and try to predict the
answers
 Check that your answer is correctly
spelled. (Part 2)
 Copy only the missing words on to
the answer sheet. (Part 2)
 DON’T
 Don’t worry if you miss a question.
Continue with the next question then
listen again for the missing
information when you hear the
recording for the second time.
 Don’t leave a blank space on the
answer sheet. If you are not sure,
guess.
 Don’t repeat information which is
already in the sentences. (Part 2)
 Don’t panic. There is plenty of time to
write your answers as you listen. (Part
2)

20. +
Dos and DON’Ts: Speaking
 DO
 Show you can communicate
effectively.
 Give full and extended responses.
 Raise the level of your language above
the mundane.
 Listen carefully to what the examiner
has asked you to do.
 Speculate on the content of the visual
material, even if you are unsure about
what they are illustrating.
 Involve your partner in the
conversation and create opportunities
for them to speak.
 DON’T
 Don’t panic if you cannot
remember, or do not know, a
particular word. Just keep going
and paraphrase instead.
 Don’t merely describe the
visuals.
 Don’t let your partner always
‘take the lead’. You also must
initiate at times.
 Don’t waste your
opportunities to show the
examiners what you can do

21. +
More information
 More Dos and DON’Ts, FAQ and general tips:
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/
advanced/how-to-prepare/
 My collection of links regarding CAE:
https://www.evernote.com/shard/s112/sh/1a052d5c-ef6a-4a38-
9266-e608c6e8bbb1/d318bebcd2e0d64091cb38cbeacb0dc6
 Don’t underestimate GOOGLE to find useful grammar, spelling,
listening pages/exercises. Have a look on YouTube. Use
search terms such as ESL (English as a Second Language),
Advanced, CAE.