Mock exam, free and unofficial
C1 Advanced
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) shows that you can communicate fluently and effectively at an advanced level. These mock exams follow its Reading and Use of English and Writing papers, with a timer, instant scoring with explanations and written feedback.
- Reading
- 90 min
- Writing
- 90 min
- Reading questions
- 56
- Scale
- 142–210
Reading and Use of English
Eight parts in 90 minutes: four Use of English tasks, then longer reading texts with multiple choice, cross-text matching, gapped text and multiple matching.
| Part | Task | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple-choice cloze: choose the word that fits each gap in a text | 8 |
| 2 | Open cloze: fill each gap with one word of your own | 8 |
| 3 | Word formation: change the form of a given word to fit the gap | 8 |
| 4 | Key word transformation: rewrite a sentence using a given word | 6 |
| 5 | Multiple choice: read a text and choose the best answer to each question | 6 |
| 6 | Multiple matching: match statements or people to the right short texts | 4 |
| 7 | Gapped text: put the missing sentences back into a text | 6 |
| 8 | Multiple matching: match statements or people to the right short texts | 10 |
Writing
Two tasks in 90 minutes: a compulsory essay in which you evaluate two ideas, then a choice of proposal, report, letter or review.
Words asked for in each task: 220–260.
Each answer is marked on four criteria, each from 0 to 5: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language. Our feedback follows the same four criteria, with corrections quoted from your own text.
How it is scored
Every paper is converted to the Cambridge English Scale. At C1 Advanced the scale runs from 142–210, and about 180 is the pass mark. Your result here shows an estimated scale score and grade for each attempt.
These are unofficial estimates produced by this tool. They help you see progress, but they do not predict your result in a real exam.
What to practise
- Read widely at length: the longer texts reward readers who can follow an argument, not only find a word.
- In word formation, check whether the gap needs a noun, verb, adjective or adverb, and whether it needs a negative or a plural.
- In Writing, aim for range and precision of language, and keep a clear, natural register for the task.
Practise C1 Advanced against the clock: the timer is kept by our server, so it behaves like the real thing.