Introduction to Cambridge Exams

Please note that this task is a COMPLETE overview with 4 parts (A-D) and you should do each part individually and not read through all of the information at once.

Cambridge English Exams are run by Cambridge Assessment English, which is part of the University of Cambridge. Their exams are accepted by over 20,000 organisations worldwide with the aim of providing the English language skills to communicate and succeed in the real world. Below are a few facts and figures about Cambridge Assessment English.

• Cambridge English Exams are recognised by over 20,000 universities.
• More than 5.5 million people take Cambridge qualifications and tests every year.
• Cambridge has over 2,800 exam centres in 130 countries.
• Over 50,000 preparation centres around the world prepare learners to take Cambridge exams.
• They have been providing English Language assessment since 1913.

Cambridge Exams are provided to a range of different ages and audiences including, early learners, school-age learners, general and higher education adults, and business English. Exams are provided at different levels of English proficiency related to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

  • Level
  • Pre A1
  • A1
  • A2
  • B1
  • B2
  • C1
  • C2
  • Schools
  • Pre A1 Starters
  • A1 Movers
  • A2 Flyers / A2 Key for Schools
  • B1 Preliminary for Schools
  • B2 First for Schools
  • C1 Advanced
  • C2 Proficiency
  • General & Higher Education
  • –
  • –
  • A2 Key
  • B1 Preliminary
  • B2 First
  • C1 Advanced
  • C2 Proficiency
  • Business
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • B1 Business Preliminary
  • B2 Business Vantage
  • C1 Business Higher
  • –

Task 20.A

Choose the correct answers to complete the following sentences about Cambridge English Assessment’s exams.

Cambridge Exams in Spain

In Spain, the most common exams take place for levels A2 to C2 for schools and General and Higher Education. The following table provides an overview of what is included in each exam paper at each level.

LevelPaperContentTimeWeighting
A2
(Key and Key for Schools)		Reading & Writing
7 parts (32 questions)

1 hour 50% of total mark
Listening
5 parts (25 questions)
30 minutes approx. 25% of total mark
Speaking2 parts8-10 minutes per pair25% of total mark
B1
(Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools)		Reading 6 Parts (32 questions)

45 minutes25% of total mark
Writing2 Parts (2 questions)45 minutes25% of total mark
Listening
4 parts (25 questions)
30 minutes approx.

25% of total mark
Speaking4 parts12-17 minutes 25% of total mark
B2
(First and First for Schools)		Reading & Use of English
7 parts (52 questions)
1 hour 15 minutes
40% of total mark
Writing
2 parts (2 questions)
1 hour 20 minutes
20% of total mark
Listening
4 parts (30 questions)
40 minutes approx.

20% of total mark
Speaking4 parts14 minutes per pair
20% of total mark
C1
(Advanced)		Reading & Use of English
8 parts (56 questions)
1 hour and 30 minutes
40% of total mark
Writing
2 parts
1 hour and 30 minutes
20% of total mark
Listening
4 parts (30 questions)
40 minutes approx.
20% of total mark
Speaking4 parts15 minutes per pair20% of total mark
C2
(Proficiency)		Reading & Use of English
7 parts (53 questions)
1 hour and 30 minutes
40% of total mark
Writing
2 parts (2 tasks) 2 hours
20% of total mark
Listening
4 parts (28 questions)
40 minutes approx.
20% of total mark
Speaking3 parts16 minutes per pair20% of total mark

Task 20.B

Choose the correct answers to the following questions.

Cambridge Speaking Exam – Sample Video

Watch the video of a Cambridge English Speaking test and answer the questions below:

Task 20.C

Cambridge English IELTS

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The results of these exams are used worldwide by governments for immigration purposes and by academic institutions, commercial organisations and many other professional bodies when processing applications.

Anybody can take the IELTS exam. It is not a “pass or fail” type of exam, the candidate is instead provided with a profile of their ability to use English. The results are given as “band” scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest):

The diagram below shows how the IELTS scale aligns with other Cambridge Assessment levels and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Task 20.D

Choose the correct answer to the following question: