All about the Cambridge CAE English language test in Australia.

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam is designed to assess high-level English skills for academic and professional settings, with a strong emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, and real-world language use.

 Like IELTS and PTE the test includes four papers: Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

One advantage promoted by Cambridge for this test is that it never expires so you will have a lifetime qualification which is true in the sense of the European framework and EU. This test is rooted in the European Framework*. However, it is important to note that like IELTS and PTE for Australian immigration, the test needs to be taken within 2 years of submitting a visa application.

Most people who take the Cambridge CAE in Australia will enroll in a college and do a 12- week course that will cover all the skills and question types you need. However, you don’t need to take a course to sit the exam, it is not a course-based qualification but rather a standalone test. You can register for the exam independently through an authorized test centre.

Doing specific study for the course will be necessary, and most candidates in Australia complete a course at a registered ESL college which offers a few advantages; firstly, a structured, dynamic classroom based pathway to the exam and secondly, it is a legitimate way to extend a study visa while an overseas student considers their next step or just needs to extend an ESL visa, and finally, you don’t have to take IELTS or PTE.

Cambridge is a great test for world travellers who are spending some time in Australia on a student visa, so if you are interested in studying in Australia and travelling to Europe for further study or work, this test is ideal to do while in Australia. And, as previously mentioned, it is also a solid choice against IELTS which is completely inconsistent in the test marking (more on that in an upcoming blog) and the PTE which is test useless skills and can be hacked without much English.

Here is an overview:

Reading and Use of English (90 minutes)

Format: 8 parts, 56 questions 

Skills tested: Grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension 

Task types: Multiple choice, gap-fills, word formation, sentence transformation 

Texts: Extracts from newspapers, magazines, advertisements, and academic sources 

Tip: This section is worth 40% of your total score, so mastering collocations, phrasal verbs, and text structure is key.

Writing (90 minutes)

Format: 2 tasks 

Part 1: Compulsory essay (220–260 words) 

Part 2: Choose one from options like a letter, report, proposal, or review 

Skills tested: Coherence, grammar, vocabulary, and task achievement 

Tip: Practice planning and structuring your writing under timed conditions.

3. Listening (40 minutes)

Format: 4 parts, 30 questions 

Audio types: Interviews, discussions, lectures, and monologues 

Each recording is played twice

Skills tested: Understanding gist, detail, opinion, and implication 

Tip: Focus on identifying speaker attitudes and relationships, not just facts.

 4. Speaking (15 minutes)

Format: Face-to-face interview with another candidate and two examiners 

Parts:

  1. Interview (personal questions)

  2. Long turn (individual picture description)

  3. Collaborative task (discussion with partner)

  4. Discussion (broader questions with examiner)

Skills tested: Fluency, interaction, pronunciation, and vocabulary 

Tip: Practice speaking with a partner and get comfortable with spontaneous conversation.

 Scoring and Results

Cambridge English Scale: 160–210 

  – 200–210 = C2 level certificate  (IELTS .7.5 -8.5)

  – 180–199 = C1 level certificate (pass)  (IELTS 6.5-7.5)

  – 160–179 = B2 level certificate (IELTS 5.5-6.5)

– Pass mark: 180+

For official resources and sample tests visit: Cambridge English C1 Advanced Preparation

To explore a detailed background of the test, go to: English Proficiency’s CAE Guide

*The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an internationally recognized standard for describing language proficiency. Developed by the Council of Europe, it provides a consistent way to assess and compare language skills across different languages and educational systems.