Be confident in your applicants’ English language skills

C1 Advanced (also known as Certificate in Advanced English or CAE) is a focused academic English exam offered by Cambridge Assessment English. Preparing for the exam gives students the skills they need to succeed at college or university on undergraduate and graduate programmes in English-speaking countries. The exam is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications, which each focus on a different level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and accepting it gives your institution access to thousands of high-calibre candidates from around the world.

Accepting Cambridge English Qualifications means your institution can:

  • Be confident that applicants have the right English skills to succeed
    Choose exams for your admission requirements that are set at the right level for academic success. Cambridge English Qualifications test all language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – with speaking tested face-to-face.
  • Increase the number of high-quality applicants
    Accept our exams as part of your admissions criteria and you will be able to select from thousands of high-calibre candidates from around the world.
  • Diversify your international student population
    Improve your institution’s profile internationally and attract candidates from beyond your usual range of countries.

Learn more about the benefits of accepting Cambridge English Qualifications at your institution.

What level of English is C1 Advanced?

C1 Advanced is a rigorous assessment of a student’s ability to communicate at an advanced level in English. It is targeted at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Results for Cambridge English Qualifications, including C1 Advanced, are reported on the Cambridge English Scale. The scale complements the CEFR and gives greater insight into candidate achievement. Candidates receive an overall score from the scale, and an individual score for each skill covered in the exam (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) plus Use of English. This helps you to describe the exact level of language skills needed for your admission requirements.

The following scale scores are used to report results for C1 Advanced:

C1 Advanced table

Scores between 142 and 159 are also reported for C1 Advanced, although candidates do not receive a certificate.

Find out more about the Cambridge English Scale.

Comparing C1 Advanced and IELTS scores

IELTS is mapped to but does not report on the Cambridge English Scale. If your institution already uses IELTS scores for admissions purposes, specifying scores on the Cambridge English Scale is easy. You can use the table below to ensure that the Cambridge English Scale score you ask for from applicants with Cambridge English Qualifications is at the same level as your IELTS requirements:

IELTS Band Score to Cambridge English Scale Score

Cambridge Assessment English produces IELTS, which is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.

Next Steps

  1. Accept C1 Advanced today. Officially accepting the exam will add your institution to our online database, where it can be seen by thousands of potential candidates. Find out more.
  2. Update your admissions requirements. Add the exam to your English language requirements on your website and printed literature.
  3. Register for our free Results Verification Service. It’s secure and takes only a few minutes. Register here.