C1 Advanced 2026: exam dates, format, how to book and free practice tests
C1 Advanced, still widely called CAE, is the Cambridge English qualification at Level C1 of the Common European Framework, used for university study and professional work. It is run by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and booked through an authorised exam centre. The paper-based exam has set dates, and the next ones in 2026 are in November and December; the computer-based exam is offered through the year by local centres. This guide lists the dates, explains how to book, sets out the C1 Advanced exam pattern and scoring, and gives a six-week plan with mock tests.
C1 Advanced at a glance
| Conducting body | Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge English) |
| What it is for | University study and professional work at CEFR C1 |
| Mode | On paper or on a computer at a centre; Speaking face to face with two examiners |
| Questions | Reading and Use of English 56, Writing 2 tasks, Listening 30, Speaking 4 parts |
| Time | About 4 hours |
| Marking | Cambridge English Scale, 142 to 210; grades A, B, C |
| Language | English |
| How often | Paper: set dates through the year. Computer: available through the year at centres |
| Official website | cambridgeenglish.org |
C1 Advanced exam dates
The paper-based dates below are from Cambridge's exam dates page, checked 20 October 2026. Cambridge says to always confirm dates with your local exam centre, because not every centre runs every date.
| Year | Paper-based C1 Advanced dates |
|---|---|
| Rest of 2026 | Saturday 14 November, Wednesday 25 November, Saturday 28 November, Saturday 5 December, Saturday 12 December |
| 2027 | 23 January, 17 February, 6 March, 13 March, 17 April, 8 May, 11 May, 15 May, 5 June, 9 June, 19 June, 26 June, 3 July, 30 July, 27 August, 11 September, 23 October, 13 November, 24 November, 27 November, 4 December, 11 December |
The computer-based exam has no national list: Cambridge says digital exams are available throughout the year through local exam centres, so ask a centre for its sessions. Entries close before the exam date, and the centre tells you when, so contact it early.
How to book C1 Advanced
- Decide whether you want paper or computer; Cambridge states that the content, scoring and certificate are the same.
- Find an authorised centre with Cambridge's exam centre search. You register directly with the centre, not with Cambridge.
- If the result is for a UK visa, choose a centre approved to offer Secure English Language Tests (SELT).
- Ask the centre for its dates, entry deadline and fee, then book and pay with them.
- The centre will tell you your Speaking day, which is usually different from the written papers.
Keep ready: the identity document the centre asks for when you register, and bring the same one on the day.
C1 Advanced exam pattern
| Paper | Time | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 hour 30 minutes | 8 parts, 56 questions: cloze, word formation, key-word transformations, multiple choice, matching, gapped text | Reading 50, Use of English 28 |
| Writing | 1 hour 30 minutes | Part 1: a compulsory essay. Part 2: one of three tasks (letter or email, proposal, report or review). 220 to 260 words each | 40 |
| Listening | About 40 minutes | 4 parts, 30 questions; each recording heard twice | 30 |
| Speaking | 15 minutes for a pair, 23 for three | Interview, long turn on photographs, collaborative task, discussion | 75 |
Reading and Use of English, Writing and Listening are taken on the same day; Speaking is with one or two other candidates and two examiners.
Scoring. You get five Cambridge English Scale scores: Reading, Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The overall score is their average.
| Overall score | Result |
|---|---|
| 200 to 210 | Grade A, certificate at C2 |
| 193 to 199 | Grade B, certificate at C1 |
| 180 to 192 | Grade C, certificate at C1 |
| 160 to 179 | Certificate at B2 |
| 142 to 159 | Score reported, no certificate |
There is no pass mark on a single paper, and the certificate does not expire.
C1 Advanced syllabus
- Reading and Use of English: grammar and vocabulary in context (collocations, word formation, transforming sentences) and reading for detail, opinion and structure.
- Writing: an essay weighing two points, and a letter, proposal, report or review, marked on content, communicative achievement, organisation and language.
- Listening: short extracts, a monologue with sentence completion, a conversation and five short monologues with matching.
- Speaking: grammatical and lexical resource, discourse management, pronunciation and interactive communication.
The full breakdown is on our C1 Advanced syllabus page.
A six-week plan before your exam date
If you are aiming at 28 November or 5 December, the six weeks start now.
| Week | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | One full C1 Advanced mock test, timed. Note your score in each of the five skills. |
| 2 | Use of English: Parts 2, 3 and 4 daily. Keep a list of collocations and word families you missed. |
| 3 | Writing: one essay and one Part 2 task a week, 45 minutes each, checked against the four criteria. |
| 4 | Reading Parts 5 to 8 on long texts; Listening one full paper every two days. |
| 5 | Second full mock. Practise Speaking Part 2 (one minute on two photographs) with a timer. |
| 6 | A last mock early in the week, then light practice. Confirm your centre, ID and Speaking time. |
Use how to analyse a mock test after each one.
Useful links
- Find a Cambridge exam centre and book (cambridgeenglish.org)
- Cambridge exam dates (cambridgeenglish.org)
- C1 Advanced exam format (cambridgeenglish.org)
- Free C1 Advanced mock tests
- C1 Advanced syllabus
- C1 Advanced exam dates
- C2 Proficiency: exam dates and how to book
- How to use mock tests
Frequently asked questions
When is the next C1 Advanced exam date?
On paper, the next dates are 14, 25 and 28 November and 5 and 12 December 2026 (Cambridge's exam dates page, checked 20 October 2026). The computer-based exam runs through the year at local centres, so ask a centre for its dates.
How do I apply for C1 Advanced?
You book through an authorised exam centre, which sets its own entry deadline and fee. Find one with Cambridge's exam centre search.
Is there negative marking in C1 Advanced?
No. A wrong answer scores 0 and loses nothing, so answer every question.
What is the C1 Advanced pass mark?
An overall Cambridge English Scale score of 180 gives a C1 certificate (Grade C). From 160 to 179 you get a certificate at B2, and from 200 a Grade A at C2.
Does the C1 Advanced certificate expire?
No. Each university or employer decides how recent a result it will accept.