The CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) exam consists of five sections designed to assess different language skills. The reading section evaluates the candidate’s ability to understand various written texts, including fiction and non-fiction. It includes multiple-choice questions, matching exercises, and text completion tasks. The writing section tests the candidate’s ability to produce clear, well-structured written English. Tasks may include essays, reports, reviews, or proposals. It includes two tasks – one compulsory task and one choice between two tasks.
The ‘use of English’ section assesses the candidate’s ability to use English accurately and appropriately, with a focus on advanced grammar and vocabulary. Its format includes a range of tasks testing grammar and vocabulary. The listening section evaluates the candidate’s ability to understand spoken English in various contexts, including conversations, interviews, and lectures. It involves multiple-choice questions, matching, and note-completion tasks. The speaking section assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in spoken English. Tasks may include discussing a topic, giving a short presentation, and conversing. It includes a face-to-face interview with an examiner, usually in pairs or small groups.