C1 Advanced Speaking Information and Advice

Many students seem to miss basic facts about the C1 Advanced Speaking test, so this page is to fill in some of that missing information. There are also separate pages for more detailed information and advice for each part.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Format	The Speaking test contains four parts
Timing	15 minutes (2 candidates) 23 minutes (three candidates)
Number of Parts	4
Interaction Pattern	Two candidates and two examiners. One examiner acts as both interlocutor and assessor and manages the interaction either by asking questions or by providing cues for candidates. The other acts as assessor and does not join the conversation.
Task Types	Short exchanges with the interlocutor and the other candidate; a 1-minute individual ‘long turn’; a collaborative task involving the two candidates; a discussion.
Marks	Candidates are assessed on their performance throughout.

The paired format for the Cambridge English: Advanced Speaking test (two examiners and two candidates) offers candidates the opportunity to demonstrate, in a controlled but friendly environment, their ability to use their spoken language skills effectively in a range of contexts. The test takes 15 minutes. One examiner, the interlocutor, conducts the test and gives a global assessment of each candidate’s performance. The other, the assessor, does not take any part in the interaction but focuses solely on listening to, and making an assessment of, each candidate’s oral proficiency.

At the end of the Speaking test, candidates are thanked for attending, but are given no indication of the level of their achievement.

The standard format is two examiners and two candidates. In cases where there is an uneven number of candidates at the centre, the last speaking test of the session will be taken by three candidates together instead of two. When three candidates are tested together, the test format, test material and procedure remain unchanged, but the timing will be longer: 23 minutes instead of 15.

a) Watch official Cambridge videos of the test, such as the one below. Then go through the examiner’s comments step by step. This may seem an obvious way to start your C1 advanced Speaking studies, but many fail to even realise the official videos are there.

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b) Now watch the video again step by step, and read the examiner’s comments below

c) Become used to interacting effectively, initiating discussion and responding appropriately in pairs and groups by practicing a teacher, classmate or friend.

d) Be sure to listen carefully to the interlocutor’s questions and instructions and refer to the written prompts on the tasks so you can complete the task given.

e) Relate the visuals to the task given rather than just describing them.

f) Be familiar with the test format and be certain of what is expected of you in each part. This includes the right language for each part, e.g. giving personal information, exchanging information and opinions, giving reasons, speculating, agreeing and disagreeing politely, justifying opinions and negotiating. This will ensure that the examiners are in a good position to know what you are capable of.

g) Speak clearly so both examiners can hear you well.

h) Do not pause for too long before you begin speaking. A short pause to gather your thoughts is acceptable, but anything longer than this will give you less time to produce a suitable sample of language. Being able to paraphrase if you do not know or cannot remember a word and extending your responses rather than giving a one-word answer, will help your students participate more effectively in the Speaking test.

i) Do ‘mock’ Speaking tests with your teacher, a classmate or friend to experience taking part in an interaction of this length and understand how you have to move between different types of interaction and task focus.

j) To ensure that all candidates are treated in the same way, the interlocutor keeps to a script. However, ask the examiner to repeat the instructions or a question if you need to.

k) In some centres candidates from the same school are paired together. However, where candidates from a number of different schools are entered at the same centre, some candidates may find that they are paired with a candidate from another school. Students may check with the centre through which they are entering for the local procedure, if they wish.

I hope that has helped to give you a better understanding of what is required for the C1 Advanced Speaking test, and that you will look into each part in more detail. There is a full list of pages on the C1 Advanced Speaking test here. Good luck with your test!

information on this page is adapted from The Cambridge C1 Handbook for Teachers