CAE vs IELTS Comparison
What is the CAE Use of English test like?
The test has five sections and takes 60 minutes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Part 1 - Multiple-choice cloze
Part 2 - Open cloze
Part 3 - Word formation
Part 4 - Gapped sentences
Part 5 - Key word transformations
Scoring:
There are 50 questions in the CAE Use of English Test. It makes up 20% of the entire exam.
How to prepare for the CAE Use of English test








The Use of English paper tests your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar.
Read as much as possible, and use a dictionary to help you learn new words
Use a grammar book to help you understand sentence structure
Read the instructions carefully before you start each section
Look at the example question at the beginning of each section
Correct spelling is necessary. Get into the habit of checking the spelling of words
Read the surrounding context before giving an answer
Don’t give alternative answers for any questions
CAE vs IELTS Comparison







Both test your main English skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking. CAE has a
'grammar' part.
An important difference between IELTS and CAE is that IELTS is only valid for 2 years,
whereas CAE doesn't have an expiration date.
IELTS takes a total of 2 hours 45 minutes. CAE is about 4 hours long.
In both tests the speaking section is done in front of a live teacher.
You can't 'fail' IELTS - your results are given on a scale from 4.0 to 8.9. You'll only get a
CAE certificate if you pass (i.e. get 60%). But both need a lot of preparation and
motivation for you to succeed. A pass grade in CAE would be the equivalent of about 7.0
in IELTS.
IELTS isn't easier - just different. Getting into a British university with an IELTS or CAE
certificate is going to need the same high level of English.
CAE is less academic than IELTS - the topics are broader, the writing tasks more varied.
For that reason you might find CAE less boring.
Best for Academic Reasons
Many universities require a certain score in IELTS to get in. That's why it's taken by 2 million
people a year.
CAE is accepted by 6,000 colleges and universities around the world, and seems to be growing
in popularity.
IELTS is more academic in tone, which is bad for my students (who are mostly business people)
but is perfect for someone who is preparing for University. The writing tasks, for example,
prepare you for academic work.
Time Management
You might think there isn't much time management you can do in the listening test, but I
disagree. Not everyone prepares for the CAE exam, so Cambridge have to explain what to do in
a long, slow introduction. But since YOU know what to do, you can ignore the introduction and
get started!
What is a Statement of Results?
Your Statement of Results contains the following information:



your score on the Cambridge English Scale for each of the four skills (reading, writing,
listening and speaking) and use of English
your grade (A, B, C, Level B2) for the overall exam
your CEFR level for the overall exam.