Product Summery
Introduction to Cambridge English:
Advanced
Cambridge English: Advanced was originally introduced in 1991 and is a high-level qualification that is officially recognised by universities,employers and governments around the world. Following extensive research, updates in 1999 and 2008 have allowed the exam to keep pace with changes in language teaching and testing while ensuring the exam remains reliable, relevant and user friendly for candidates.Candidates can choose to take Cambridge English: Advanced as either a paper-based or a computer-based exam.
Who is the exam for?
Cambridge English: Advanced is typically taken by high achievers who want to:
follow an academic course at university level
communicate effectively at managerial and professional level
participate with confidence in workplace meetings or academic tutorials and seminars
carry out complex and challenging research
stand out and differentiate themselves.
Who recognises the exam?*
Cambridge English: Advanced is accepted by more than 3,000 organisations, employers and governments around the world as being a reliable, accurate and fair test of English.
It meets the UK Border Agency language requirements for Tier 1, 2 and 4 immigration, covering study and working in the UK.See the UKBA website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for further details.
The exam has been accredited by Ofqual, the statutory regulatory authority for external qualifications in England and its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) awards candidates with grade ‘A’ in Cambridge English: Advanced 70 UCAS Tariff points towards their application to UK universities and higher education institutions.
www.cambridgeesol.org/UCAS-points
The Australian government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has approved Cambridge English: Advanced for student visa applications. Nearly 50 universities and TAFE(Technical and Further Education) institutions in Australia accept Cambridge English: Advanced.
All information accurate at time of going to print (May 2011).
For more information about recognition go to
www.cambridgeesol.org/recognition
What level is the exam?
Cambridge English: Advanced is targeted at Level C1 – the second highest level on the CEFR scale. Level C1 is required in demanding academic and professional settings and achieving a certificate at this level proves that a candidate has reached a very advanced level of English.
What can candidates do at Level C1?
The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) has carried out research to determine what language learners can typically do at each CEFR level. It has described these abilities in a series of Can Do statements using examples taken from real life situations.Cambridge ESOL, as one of the founding members of ALTE, uses this framework as a way of ensuring its exams reflect real-life language skills.
Examples of Can Do statements at Level C1
Typical
abilities
Listening and Speaking Reading and Writing
Overall
general
ability
CAN contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.
CAN read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, and CAN take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write a piece of work which shows an ability to
communicate.
Social
and
Tourist
CAN pick up nuances of meaning/opinion.CAN keep up conversations of acasual nature for an extended period of time and discuss abstract/cultural topics with a good degree of fluency and range of expression.
CAN understand complex opinions/arguments as expressed in serious newspapers.CAN write most letters they are likely to be asked to do; such errors as occur will not prevent understanding of the message.
Work CAN follow discussion and argument with only occasional need for clarification, employing good compensation strategies to overcome inadequacies.CAN deal with unpredictable questions.
CAN understand the general meaning of more complex articles without serious misunderstanding.CAN, given enough time, write a report that communicates the desired message.
Study CAN follow up questions by probing for more detail.CAN make critical remarks/express disagreement without causing offence.
CAN scan texts for relevant information, and grasp main topic of text.CAN write a piece of work whose message can be followed throughout.
Exam content and processing
Cambridge English: Advanced is a rigorous and thorough test of English at Level C1. It covers all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking, and includes a fifth element focusing on the candidate’s understanding of the structure of the language. Preparing for Cambridge English: Advanced helps candidates develop the skills they need to use English to communicate effectively in a variety of practical contexts.