New CAE exam format-2015 Reading and Use of English

How does the old CAE exam compare to the new revised CAE exam format - 2015 ?

What follows is a summary of the differences between Reading and Use of English in the old and the new exams. Suitable for both teachers of English and future CAE exam takers.

OLD EXAM

Paper 1 in the old exam was Reading. It lasted 1 h 15 min and contained 34 questions. It consisted of 4 parts.

Part I: Multiple choice - three short texts

Part II: Gap texts

Part III: Multiple choice - one long text

Part IV: Multiple matching

Paper 3 in the old format was Use of English. It lasted 1h and contained 50 questions. It consisted of 5 parts.

Part I: Multiple-choice cloze

Part II: Open cloze

Part III: Word formation

Part IV: Gap sentences

Part V: Key word transformations

NEW EXAM

Paper 1 and Paper 3 of the old format have become one part: Reading and Use of English. It lasts 1h 30min (considerably shorter). It contains 56 questions and consists of 8 parts.

(Use of English)

Part I: Multiple – choice cloze

The focus is on vocabulary and grammar. Each correct answer brings 1 mark.

Part II: Open cloze

The focus is on grammar and vocabulary. Each correct answer brings 1 mark.

Part III: Word formation

The focus is on vocabulary. Each correct answer brings 1 mark

Part IV: Key word transformation

The focus is on grammar and vocabulary. Each answer brings from 0 to 2 marks.

(Reading)

Part V: Multiple choice

Consists of one long text. Each correct answer brings 2 marks.

Part VI: Cross-text multiple matching

Consists of 4 short texts.

Part VII: Gap text

Consists of one long gapped text. Each correct answer brings 2 marks.

Part VIII: Multiple matching

Consists of one page of text. Each correct answer brings 1 mark.

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