CAE - what is Level C1?
This is a summary of what you will be able to do in English when you pass CAE.
WHAT DOES LEVEL C1 MEAN FOR ME?
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The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) defines Level C1 as follows:
For more information about the CEFR, go to www.alte.org.
| 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 & Tourist | CAN pick up nuances of meaning/opinion. CAN keep up conversations of a casual 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 (s)he is 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 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. |
