CAE examination strategies

Trainer: Ecaterina Albu, certified Speaking examiner

Venue: Alliance Francaise

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

The Common European Framework of Reference for

Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for
describing language ability.
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/cefr/

COE (Confirmation of
Candidates are emailed this
entry)

document after they sign up

for the exam.

It contains important
information.

Pay attention to details!

Reading the COE

(Confirmation of entry)

Reading the COE (Confirmation

of entry)

CEFR level:
Scale score:
Test format:
No. of papers:
Exam length:

C1
180210
Computer-based, paperbased
4
About 4 hours

CAE - tests all areas of language ability.

Preparing forCambridge English: Advancedhelps
learners develop the skills to make the most of studying,
working and living in English-speaking countries.

Exam Format
Paper
Reading and Use of
English
(1 hour 30 minutes)
See sample paper

Content
8parts/
56questio
ns

Writing
(1 hour 30 minutes)
See sample paper
Listening
(about 40 minutes)
See sample paper

2parts

Speaking
(15 minutes per pair of
candidates)
See sample paper

4parts

Purpose
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of
text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests
your use of English with different types of exercise
that show how well you can control your grammar and
vocabulary.
You create two different pieces of writing, such as
essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports and reviews.

4parts/
Tests your ability to follow and understand a range of
30questio spoken materials, such as interviews, radio
ns
broadcasts, presentations, talks and everyday
conversations.
Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face
situations. You will take the Speaking test with another
candidate.
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

Statement of Results

Fail to B2

Remember! The final

score is an average.

CAE Reading and Use of English

Time: 1hr 30 min
Reading: Parts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8
Use of English: Parts 2, 3, 4

Reading Cloze + multiple choice

(CAE P1) - ~0.5 minute/gap
What is tested: collocations, fixed expressions,
phrasal verbs, connectors, close synonyms
Pay attention to: environment of the gap
prepositions, parts of collocation
Look at sentences BEFORE and AFTER the gap
Eliminate wrong answers, giving yourself clear
arguments why they dont fit
Reread the whole sentence with the choice to see if it
sounds right

Use of English Cloze + no choices

(CAE P2) - ~1min/gap
What is tested: parts of collocations, fixed expressions, phrasal
verbs; connectors, articles, prepositions, modals, auxiliaries,
determiners, quantifiers, simple adverbs, relative pronouns
What is NOT tested: anything NOT part of a set-expression,
meaningful and independent nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs,
numbers.
Pay attention to: environment of the gap prepositions, parts
of collocation
PREDICT what part of speech needs to be deduced
Eliminate wrong options, formulating yourself clear arguments
why they dont fit
Reread the whole sentence with the choice to see if it sounds
right

Use of English Cloze + word formation

(CAE P3) - ~1min/gap
What is tested: ability to form other words (+putting
them into correct grammatical forms) by using prefixes
and suffixes
PREDICT what part of speech needs to be formed
Eliminate wrong options, formulating yourself clear
arguments why they dont fit
Reread the whole sentence with the choice to see if it
sounds right
If it feels that the given word fits, think again you
might need a negative.
Practice word formation extensively.

Use of English Lexico-grammatical

transformations
(CAE P4) - ~2min/gap
What is tested: ability to paraphrase ideas using a range of
expressions and grammatical structures
Grammatical points tested: reported speech, wishes and
regrets, conditionals, complex passives, complex modality,
complex connectors, gerund vs infinitive, order of adjectives
Lexical points tested: collocations, fixed expressions,
phrasal verbs, word formation, emphatic constructions
Deduce what needs to be paraphrased.
Look at the combinability of the GIVEN word
Pay attention to: prepositions, keeping tenses, keeping
meaning, NOT CHANGING the given word, use 3-6 words
Reread and check.

Reading text + multiple choice

(CAE P5) - ~2min/QS
All questions come in order
The golden rule: its always paraphrased
Correct answer NEVER contains exact words from the text.
Text might contain examples for the general concept given in the QS
choice.
FIRST - read the paragraph and discuss it with yourself process it.
SECOND read the QS+ identify keywords. Locate and isolate the
location of possible answer in the paragraph based on keywords.
THIRD eliminate wrong answers and half-truths; justify by close
reading
FOURTH confirm that your choice is correct underline/highlight the
line(s) that contain the right answer. Follow what was paraphrased.

Reading opinion texts + crossmatching

(CAE P6) - ~3min/QS
Questions DO NOT come in order
The golden rule: its always paraphrased
Correct answer NEVER contains exact words from the text.
Text might contain examples for the general concept given in the
QS.
FIRST - read the QS + identify keywords in it. Locate and isolate
the location of possible answer in the paragraph based on keywords.
SECOND read all texts keeping in mind what you are looking for;
locate and isolate the location of possible answer in the paragraph
based on keywords.
THIRD confirm that your choice is correct underline/highlight the
line(s) that contain the right answer. Follow what was paraphrased.

Reading gapped text + filling

(CAE P7) - ~2min/gap
CAE filling in with paragraphs
Choices DO NOT come in order
Pay attention to reference words (he, she, they, etc.; this,
that; here, there; this is why, etc.), connectors, topical and
time progression of story, fact/opinion, quoting.
FIRST - read the environment of the gap. Pay attention to
sentences BEFORE and AFTER gap.
SECOND Locate and isolate the location of possible
reference words + connections to main point of paragraph.
THIRD confirm that your choice is correct follow the
correct connections.

Reading 4-5 texts + multiple matching facts/QS

(CAE P8) - ~1min/QS
The golden rule: its always paraphrased
Answers are distributed evenly: for 4 texts => 2 As, 3 Bs, 2 Cs, 3 Ds
Correct answer NEVER contains exact words from the text.
Be careful: a lot of idioms + phrasal verbs + complex vocabulary
Text might contain examples for the general concept given in the QS
choice.
FIRST - read the 1st paragraph and discuss it with yourself process it.
SECOND read the QS+ identify keywords. Locate and isolate the location
of possible answer in the paragraph based on keywords.
THIRD Read all QS/statements and eliminate the wrong ones; justify by
close reading
FOURTH confirm that your choice is correct underline/highlight the
line(s) that contain the right answer. Follow what was paraphrased.

CAE Writing
Time: 1hr 30min

Part 1

essay

Part 2

formal letter/email
informal letter/email
proposal
review
report

CAE Writing sample

CAE Writing Learning Strategies

The most time-consuming

Best book to learn CAE writing step by step Advanced

Trainer

Learn how to read the task correctly cover all parts of tasks

Learn formal/informal style requirements

Learn use of connectors

Learn the importance of vocabulary variety

See quality samples, see how they cover the task

Practice timed writing in class

Learn writing time management

Learn self-checking according to Writing Evaluation Criteria

Get feedback according to Writing Evaluation Criteria

CAE Writing
Time: 1hr 30min
Evaluation criteria:
1. Content covering all parts of the task
2. Communicative Achievement purpose, language
functions, formal/informal register
3. Organisation paragraphing, coherence, cohesion
(connectors)
4. Language grammar (spelling, punctuation,
range, accuracy) + vocabulary (range,
appropriateness)

CAE Writing Time Management

45 min / each task
Brainstorming: 7-10 min
Writing: 20-25 min
Editing: 15 min (WrEvalCriteria!)
Paper is provided
Never write a complete draft on paper! It takes too long.
Brainstorm and draw mind-maps on paper.
Easy editing on the computer (CB exam)
Use pencil + eraser for PB exam

CAE Listening
Time: ~40 min
each recording is played twice

Listening 3 short dialogues, multiple choice

(CAE P1)

Pay attention to: distractors, connectors for

contrast
Read the QS, then listen to the answer, make
notes; then compare to choices at second
listening
Eliminate wrong answers, giving yourself
clear arguments why they dont fit

Listening Gap filling

(CAE P2)
Fill in with a word or short phrase
PREDICT what part of speech and category needs to be
filled in
Sentences are PARAPHRASED versions of what you
hear
Spelling is CRUCIAL
Reread the whole sentence with the choice to see if it
sounds right

Listening long interview multiple choice

(CAE P3)

QS come in order
Pay attention to: distractors, connectors for
contrast
Read the QS, then listen to the answer, make
notes; then compare to choices at second
listening
Eliminate wrong answers, giving yourself
clear arguments why they dont fit

Listening 5 speakers, 2 sets of matching tasks

(CAE P4)
Make a table. Fill it in at first listening.
SPEAK
ER

QS1 [facts]

QS2 [attitudes, feelings, reasons]

S1
S2
S3
S4
S5

Compare your notes to matching points at second

listening.

CAE Speaking
Time: 2 candidates = 14 min
3 candidates = 21 min
Watch sample exam:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=5nGESyDgmdw

2 or 3 candidates
2 cand. if even number (4,6,8) in a session
3 cand. if odd number (5,7,11) in a session

2 examiners:
Interlocutor keeps time, asks
QS, gives the Global Mark
Assessor: gives 4 marks
(Analytical mark)

CAE Speaking Evaluation

Criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Lexical Resource
Grammatical Resource
Discourse Management
Pronunciation
Interactive Communication

How to convert correct answers

to Cambridge scores
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org
/images/210434-converting-practice-test-scores-to-camb
ridge-english-scale-scores.pdf

Resources
The official website offers sample tests and guidance
materials
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org
/exams/advanced/preparation/

CAE Teacher Handbook - http://www.cambridgeenglish.org

/Images/cambridge-english-advanced-handbook-2015.pdf
Simulation of computer-based testing: http://
cbpt.s3.amazonaws.com/cb-cae-reading/index.xhtml

Official exam materials we u

Important for the

candidate:
The exam format (papers and timing)
Exam paper strategies (Use of English, Reading, Writing, Listening,
Speaking)
To convert practice test scores to Cambridge Scale
To keep in mind that the results is an AVERAGE of the 5 scores!
Self-evaluation (acc. to assessment criteria speaking & writing) and
tracking progress
To read their Convocation to Exam and Statement of Results ACCURATELY
To remember to check results ONLINE in 2 weeks (computer-based test)
Time management strategies
Stress management strategies

+ do a mock-up test!

Important for the

candidate:
To
To
To
To

practice typing, not handwriting

take notes quickly and efficiently during listening
spellcheck where relevant! (Use of Eng, P2-3; Listening P2)
collect vocabulary units from ALL passed practice tests

NO lists! -> Semantic/topical grouping

As little translation as possible!
SYNONYMS -> because everything is paraphrased!

To practice word-formation -> tables

To pay special attention to collocations, idioms and phrasal
verbs
To listen to a variety of English accents and speeds
To record themselves while speaking

Important for the

candidate:
To develop a habit of watching/listening to pop science
TV programmes in English (Discovery, NatGeo)
To develop a habit of reading art, culture, history,
psychology, biology, geography themed articles and
blogs (ASAP Science, MedicalDaily)
+ collect vocabulary units from EVERYWHERE; every bit
helps!