The CAE Speaking test (C1 Advanced) can feel a bit daunting. Two examiners. Another candidate. A limited amount of time. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to sound like a native speaker to get a high mark. What really matters is having a solid strategy, understanding what the examiners are looking for, and staying calm on the day.
Here’s some honest, no-nonsense advice to help you pass — and even enjoy it.
What Are the Examiners Actually Assessing?
There are four official criteria used to assess your performance:
1. Grammatical Resource and Lexical Resource
- Range is essential: Show you can use different tenses, passive structures, conditionals, modals, and even some idiomatic expressions.
- Accuracy helps too: Mistakes are acceptable — just avoid repeating the same ones.
💡 Honest tip: It’s better to use slightly simpler grammar correctly than to aim too high and make lots of errors. Clarity wins.
2. Discourse Management
This means:
- Organising your ideas logically
- Giving full, developed responses
- Using linking phrases to help the conversation flow
💡 Honest tip: Think in paragraphs, not sentences. If you’re asked, “Why do people enjoy travelling?”, don’t say, “Because it’s fun.” Say something like:
“People enjoy travelling because it gives them a chance to experience other cultures, meet new people, and escape their daily routines.”
Useful expressions:
- “One possible reason is…”
- “It’s also worth mentioning…”
- “On the flip side…”
3. Pronunciation
- You’re not expected to sound British — but you do need to be clear and intelligible.
- Sentence stress, rhythm, and intonation are more important than accent.
💡 Honest tip: If people often ask you to repeat yourself, work on clarity and pacing. Recording yourself can really help.
4. Interactive Communication
This is where many strong candidates lose marks — especially in Part 3. The examiners are looking for:
- Turn-taking
- Asking for and giving opinions
- Responding appropriately to your partner
- Negotiating
💡 Honest tip: Don’t dominate or stay silent. Use phrases like:
- “What’s your opinion on this?”
- “That’s a good point — though I’m not sure I completely agree.”
- “Shall we consider this one as well?”
A Breakdown of the Speaking Parts – with Real Talk
✅ Part 1 – Getting to Know You (2 minutes)
You’ll answer questions about yourself — hobbies, studies, plans, etc. It’s a warm-up.
Honest advice: Avoid short answers. Expand naturally.
❌ “Yes.”
✅ “Yes, I’ve always enjoyed hiking — especially at the weekends when I want to switch off.”
✅ Part 2 – Long Turn (1 minute per candidate + response)
You compare two photos and answer a question. Then respond briefly to your partner’s photo task.
Honest advice: Don’t describe what you see — compare the photos and address the question.
Use expressions like:
- “While this picture focuses on…, the other one seems to suggest…”
- “They both show…, but the atmosphere is quite different…”
✅ Part 3 – Collaborative Task (2-minute discussion + 1-minute decision)
You discuss a set of options with your partner and decide which is best for a specific purpose.
Honest advice: It’s a conversation, not a competition. Don’t talk over your partner or rush to the decision.
Good example:
“I think this could work well because it encourages teamwork. But what do you think? Do you agree or would you choose something else?”
✅ Part 4 – Discussion (4-5 minutes)
A wider conversation based on the topic from Part 3. The examiner leads the discussion.
Honest advice: Keep building on the ideas introduced earlier. Give your opinion, but also be open to exploring both sides of the argument.
How to Prepare Effectively
- Practice with a timer – Know what one minute feels like.
- Simulate real tests – Use mock tests with friends or tutors.
- Focus on relevant topics – Work, education, travel, the environment, technology, social trends.
- Learn “natural” phrases – Practice sounding spontaneous, not rehearsed.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The CAE Speaking test isn’t a trap. It’s designed to assess your ability to communicate — not to catch you out. You’re not being judged on your accent or having flawless grammar. You’re being assessed on how well you express ideas, hold a conversation, and manage your language.
So:
- Be clear
- Be engaged
- Be yourself (just a slightly more polished version)