CAE FAQs
FAQs about CAE
Reading
- How is the time allocation decided upon?
- Can computers spot when a candidate has made a mistake transferring the answers?
Writing
- How is the command of the language, sentence structure, vocabulary, punctuation, etc. evaluated?
- Are candidates penalised for writing over-long or over-short answers?
- Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?
- How important is the actual layout of letters, reports etc. in the exam?
- What is required in the writing of a proposal?
English in Use
- Is singular/plural important in word formation?
- In the Error Correction section, what happens if a candidate 'corrects' an already correct line?
Listening
- What is the range of accents in the Listening paper?
- Is wrong spelling penalised in the Listening paper?
- Are candidates supposed to write the words they hear on the recording in answers to Parts 1 and 2, or do they get more marks if they use their own words?
- In the Listening paper, can candidates fill in the answer sheet directly?
- Can candidates wear headphones in the Listening paper?
Speaking
- What should candidates do if they don't understand the instructions?
- What is done when there's only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?
Reading
How is the time allocation decided upon?
During the development of CAE, the papers were all trialled on CAE level candidates to establish the timing. In addition, all of the exam material is pretested on students at CAE level to check that the timing and the level of difficulty are appropriate. In compiling the actual tests, timing is taken into account. Appropriate reading strategies, e.g. skimming and scanning in Parts 1 and 4, need to be adopted for candidates to do the paper in the time available.
Can computers spot when a candidate has made a mistake transferring the answers?
If more than one lozenge has been completed for one question, the computer rejects the answer sheet, which is then dealt with on an individual basis. Checks are in place to identify incomplete answer sheets, which are also then checked.
Cases where all the answers have been entered incorrectly, e.g. by putting answer 1 to question 2, answer 2 to question 3 etc. cannot be identified.
Candidates should be careful when filling in their answer sheets.
Writing
How is the command of the language, sentence structure, vocabulary, punctuation, etc. evaluated?
CAE Writing tasks are marked by impression with a combination of two mark schemes.
- The General Mark Scheme remains constant from administration to administration. This gives descriptors, in general terms, of writing features which we would expect to find at each band (0—5) of the mark scheme.
- The Task—Specific Mark Scheme contains descriptors of minimum performance required for a candidate to achieve an adequate performance on each particular task. This description is divided into the following categories: Content, Organisation and Cohesion, Range (of structure and vocabulary), Register, Language Accuracy and Effect on Target Reader.
These two mark schemes are used in combination, with none of the categories having greater weight than another. In other words, Content, Organisation and Cohesion, Range, Register, Language Accuracy and Effect on Target Reader are all assessed equally in arriving at a mark.
Further information (including the General Mark Scheme and examples of Task Specific Mark Schemes) is available in the CAE handbook and in past paper packs.
Download the handbook for teachers.
Order past paper packs.
Are candidates penalised for writing over-long or over-short answers?
Candidates are not penalised simply for writing more or less than the stipulated 250 words. An exception to this is made where answers have fewer than 50 words — these are awarded a score of Band 0.
However, as length of answer is a factor of task achievement, candidates would be penalised for over-long answers where the extra material is considered to be irrelevant and has a negative effect on the target reader. Similarly, a candidate who produces considerably fewer than 250 words is unlikely to have included all the features of content necessary to achieve the task.
All CAE Writing tasks are extensively trialled before they appear on a live paper, and care is taken that tasks do not tend to elicit answers that are significantly longer or shorter than the 250 words the candidate is asked to produce.
Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?
As a matter of policy, where the genre is given as a letter, the instruction 'You do not need to include postal addresses' is added to the rubric. Where other genres are given in the rubric (e.g. report, article), candidates sometimes choose to use a letter format to answer the question if appropriate to the task. In no case will the address, if included by the candidate, be subject to assessment, either negative or positive.
How important is the actual layout of letters, reports etc. in the exam?
Following the conventions of the various task types (writing letters, reports, instructions etc.) is part of task achievement. Any acceptable modern layout for a formal letter may be used. Paragraphs should be clearly laid out, either by indenting or by leaving a space between each paragraph.
What is required in the writing of a proposal?
A proposal is similar in format, organisation and register to a report. It is likely to have a formal register and to be clearly organised into paragraphs, preferably with each section under an appropriate heading.
While a report would usually invite candidates to give the target reader feedback on an event or situation that has already happened, a proposal is forward-looking. Candidates are given a situation or problem and are invited to propose a course of action. There is, therefore, often an element of persuasion involved.
English in Use
Is singular/plural important in word formation?
A singular response in an item where a plural is required is marked as incorrect. Candidates are expected to look at indicators in the text to decide whether a singular or plural form is appropriate.
In the Error Correction section, what happens if a candidate 'corrects' an already correct line?
Each line of the error correction exercise carries one mark. If candidates identify what they consider to be an error on a correct line, they will get no mark.
Listening
What is the range of accents in the Listening paper?
In General English examinations, there is a range of accents. These correspond to standard variants of English native speaker accents, and to English non-native speaker accents that approximate to the norms of native speaker accents, as this is what people have to listen to in real life.
Is wrong spelling penalised in the Listening paper?
For the CAE Listening paper, the spelling of answers generally has to be correct. When a variation is allowed, it is specified on the mark scheme. This is, however, in only a few cases where native speakers would have difficulty in spelling the word. An example of such a word is 'accommodation'. All the tasks for the Cambridge ESOL papers are pretested before being put on to live papers. If it is found at pretesting that a key is problematic from a spelling point of view, the question is changed.
Are candidates supposed to write the words they hear on the recording in answers to Parts 1 and 2, or do they get more marks if they use their own words?
Candidates should try to use the actual words they hear on the tape/CD. They do not get more marks for using their own words.
In the Listening paper, can candidates fill in the answer sheet directly?
There is nothing to prevent candidates from doing this. However, it is recommended that candidates put their answers on the question paper while listening to the recording and then transfer these answers to the answer sheet when the recording has finished.
Can candidates wear headphones in the Listening paper?
There is no regulation against candidates using headphones. This depends on how the centre administers the exam.
Speaking
What should candidates do if they don't understand the instructions?
Candidates should ask the examiner to repeat the instructions. They will not be penalised for this. However, for reasons of standardisation, no variation on the instructions can be given.
What is done when there's only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?
In all General English examinations, candidates are examined in pairs with two examiners. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate will be examined with the last pair to form a group of three.
