C1 ADVANCED CAMBRIDGE SPEAKING TEST. Teacher feedback on CAE students' speaking exam. Did they pass?

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If you're preparing for the C1 Advanced Cambridge English exam, you've probably seen the official Cambridge English Language Assessment video of two candidates (the brave Maude and Raphael).
The video is very useful for exam preparation because it gives students an idea of the format of the speaking paper and what is expected of the them on exam day.
However, I think it lacks professional feedback and leaves us wondering... did they pass or not?
So, I took it upon myself to give that feedback.
Share your thoughts in the comments!
Ben Gill
English teacher
Website:
ttpenglish.com
Instagram: / to_the_point_english
Facebook Page: / tothepointenglishwithben
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[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

If you know Maude or Raphael, let them know that I'd love to interview them! 🙂 ➡️ My Online Cambridge English exam preparation courses: ttp-exam-academy-ben.thinkific.com/

[@victorbagrin2926]

Guys I took C1 advanced exam and it was surprisingly easy. Thanks Ben for helping me a lot. I am very pleased with my result. Good luck to everybody who wants to take it!

[@fanil0511]

I got 198 what's your score

[@victorbagrin2926]

@@fanil0511 201. You were so close to C2. Very good score anyway

[@fanil0511]

@@victorbagrin2926 201 excellent 👌

[@victorbagrin2926]

@@fanil0511 thank you

[@mariaradulovic3203]

Please, stop saying it was easy, I passed it as well, it was very hard. You need good knowledge, strong nerves, excellent focus, and good preparation for the exam structure. And a lot of luck, too. It's everything but easy 🙄

[@itsbritneybitch9676]

Hi Ben, I wanted to come here for one last time and thank you. I had been preparing for the C1 for almost 4 years at school, but I didn't feel confident and prepared yet. That's why I decided to have a look at your channel. I think I've watched almost all your videos. They were all incredibly helpful! Last week I got my results: 208/210, so now I have reached C2 level! My teacher said it was the highest score he had ever seen, and when he asked me to share my secret, I told him that To The Point English with Ben was a life-savoir. Thank you so much Ben!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to send that message. I'm really glad my videos helped you with the exam. Reaching a C2 level is something to be proud of!

[@nicolemischanin1882]

WOW, congratulations. I like this channel a lot as well. Not easy to find a content for advanced level

[@Sam-dd7jm]

saviour*

[@akagami3470]

I’m still confused if you get grade A you take a certificate of the next exam or just assessment of the level

[@lav2dance]

@@akagami3470 If you have achieved a grade A in your exam, you will receive the Certificate in Advanced English stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C2

[@balencix6731]

Got my CAE exam tomorrow! Wish me luck guys. Thanks Ben.

[@Kej.9]

I think the speaking part is one of the easiest and, at the same time, the hardest part :D For me of course... Questions are usually not complicated...But I am afraid of stress. At home I´d do great. When stressed - then I make stupid mistakes and my memory goes on strike :D

[@ninalisazu1521]

Literally same, I always practice but when it's time to do the mock exam I'm just like 🗿

[@nicolemischanin1882]

take a shot before

[@Arkaanys]

⁠@@nicolemischanin1882 I’m preparing an exam last week, I’m actually seriously considering taking a shot 20 minutes before my exam.. I need some confidence 😂

[@nxfelibata2403]

I literally am at B2-C1 level of English, but when stressing it drops to A1.

[@zyopedu20]

Listening part 2 and 4 are insane 💀

[@carolinarosinelli]

I expect to do it better, because I aim at an A grade. Thanks a billion for this analysis, Ben! It was gorgeous!

[@Crisguay]

What a great idea to give your feedback on this video, which I have seen more than once, by the way. They seem to be not only very nervous, but even worse, completely insecure and scared. I'm sure I would have done worse. Finding ideas to talk about, as well as an advanced vocab and structures in this situation, must be quite tough. Hats off to them!! And also to you for such useful work. 🙌

[@freddiemercury8700]

Always a pleasure to see you again gaffer!

[@giovannaquilici2194]

I guessed to be in their shoes and I wouldn't have been relaxed at all, it's a very intimidating situation during which you don't easily get the tasks done, anyway this video is really crucial to forsee what is the exam like, thank you Ben, get on sharing useful tips!

[@mr.franco4572]

Ben, thank you for your deep analysis of the interview. CAE is an advanced exam so Ss must demonstrate a very good command of the target language. As you said, there´s a lot of room for improvement for both of them. In my humble opinion, if they did well in the interview (I hope so), it would be showing me that passing this part of the exam is much easier than I had previously thought.

[@galyabadalyan4128]

Ben thank you so much for the videos you are filming 👏

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

You're welcome 🙂

[@ronbeat]

Teacher Ben! This is brilliant, I've always wanted to get feedback on these videos, this type of "reaction" format has to be the best way to get to grips with the assessment on this part of the test, especially if the comments come from an expert like you.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Thanks, Ronnie 🙂

[@underratedspectator2211]

Absolutely amazing idea! Thanks for you content.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

I'm glad you like it 🙂

[@irmadiaz8072]

Once again Ben, you have done such an amazing job showing us and making quite useful remarks on this video! Thanks a bunch! "To the Point English with Ben" Definitely one of my favorite channels!

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

😃 You're welcome

[@emakazimirova1869]

Thank you, I am taking this exam soon and this was very useful to me

[@krystekczystek5361]

So helpful analysis!

[@capitulossoloanime562]

When the Cambridge video ends it pop ups this video, I was also curious whether they have a solid C1 level or lower because the vocabulary they use I found it basic and they were not making long sentences with connectors, It is hard for me to realize or know what my language level is because I have been learning just for fun so at least I can express and share my feelings with other people around the world, ty so much for this video, I think I am going to give a shot with this test in a upcoming future :).

[@edilsonluizpereira2421]

Teacher Ben, I have watched this video before and I wondered if they passed the exam. Thanks a bunch for sharing the video and comment it. Your advice is fantastic and I'm sure it will help us to get a good performance in the exam. I'm looking forward to seeing you interviewing them.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Let's see if they get in touch 🙂

[@beatonthedonis]

Funnily enough, I did the Cambridge examiner training when I was an inexperienced teacher, but wasn't selected as an examiner. Now that I have more than a decade of experience teaching and preparing students for Cambridge and IELTS exams, I can pretty accurately estimate what my students will get in their tests.

[@user-xm9kl5vg2n]

Thank you for this kind of a content. I've been always curious about this video as their English didn't seem advanced for me. So why I felt so and if I was right thinking so. I needed this kind of analysis from a native teacher, thanks

[@akagami3470]

They passed raphael got 3/5 and Maide got 4/5

[@vini915]

Amazing video, thank you, Ben

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

You're welcome 🙂

[@dinamita2870]

thank you!!

[@martacasausortiz3232]

HIIIII, when I was studying for my C2 I used to watch your videos every day and they REALLY helped me!!!!! I passed!!🙌🏽😚🎉

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Congratulations!! I'm so glad my videos helped 🙂

[@infolanguages]

:O Congratulationssss! That was a big goal tho! :D

[@yuliiakaminska5434]

Congrats!😊

[@infolanguages]

Amazing video! Thank you! :)

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Glad you liked it!

[@poseiidon725]

Now I'm scared. But thanks a lot! Because I'm preparing for the exam by myself and not in class, I'm never quite sure if I'm learning everything correctly. This helped a lot.

[@cubananitabell8141]

Thanks for this professor 🙂

[@johnmunozzz6562]

nice Job, Good interview and i apréciate your feedback so it helps me to develop and find my own mistakes when i get and interview...i would like you be my teacher.

[@nelliedemshina7874]

Hello, Ben. Thank you for your analysis of the example. It's very useful for everyone who is planning to sit for the exam. At least I am going to give a link to my students to make them feel more confident) As for me it's quite a poor performance. Not a disaster, of course, but for C1 it should be better. Yet we should remember that they are still children and it might be really difficult for them to answer some questions properly (I mean marriage, jobs, moving). Actually I don't think they are mature enough to speculate on these topics even in their native language... So their biggest disadvantage is their young age, which disappears very quickly unfortunately (I mean young age)))

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Yes, that's a good point. I think young people generally struggle more with the speaking paper

[@MohamedAli-rd7rn]

Thanks a lot again I have been with you for 2 days now . I'm incredibly grateful for all your support again ❤️ I would like to ask you which is hard ,lingua skills and Ilse

[@christianedoeur9394]

I am a non-native English teacher here in Germany (after having lived in Australia and English-speaking countries for over 30 years). I am sorry, I feel these kids did not perform at even the minimum level of C1. I would grade them between B1 and B2. But I feel with lots more preparation, and perhaps a bit more self-confidence, they should be able to improve quickly.😊 I appreciate this opportunity, Ben - I love your channel - one doesn't stop learning ever! 😊😊

[@beverleycarroll1551]

Interesting....where are you from Ben? Anyway if either of them passed this C1 Advanced speaking, then Cambridge needs to higher the bar! If I hadn´t known it was a C1 , I would have thought they were sitting B1....thanks for your feedback during the test, it was extremely useful.

[@anasierra850]

Hi Ben!!! I took this exam a long time ago...more than thirty years 🙈 so I don't remember very much about it. But I think both of them were a bit nervous a that's made them feel less confident. Anyway they should have passed the exam...not with the best marks..... I enjoyed a lot this kind of videos, thanks a bunch!!!!😊

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

You're welcome 🙂

[@manuelgordillo520]

Ben, it is a mock test. Absolutely. I had seen it before.

[@iamliamsingleton]

➡️ Always make full sentences. ➡️ You'll never be explicitly instructed to justify your answers, but you're expected to nonetheless! Don't wait for the examiner to request that you elaborate. The last thing you want to hear during the exam is the question "Why?". ➡️ Showcase your command of the English language! Demonstrate as much variety as possible (tenses, phrasal verbs, idioms, collocations, set phrases, linking words, compound adjectives, adverbs,...). ➡️ Use precise vocabulary. Avoid words such as "things", "people",... ❔"Do you think you work too much?" ❌ "Yes, sometimes. I like to have things to do and objectives to achieve but maybe it's a good idea to do other things too." ✅ "I think it's fair to say that I often do! I've always liked to set deadlines for myself and made a point of keeping to them, so that I never end up feeling overwhelmed or lagging behind when I have a lot on my plate. That being said, being able to let up a little would undoubtedly do me the world of good! And by letting up I mean taking a few well-deserved breaks to recharge my batteries and to spend some quality time with my loved ones." (I've elaborated a lot on purpose; your answer shouldn't be that long.) ✅ It's fair to say ✅ That being said ✅ Make a point of ✅ Undoubtedly ✅ Lag behind ✅ To end up + V-ing ✅ Have a lot on one's plate ✅ Let up ✅ Do someone the world of good ✅ By "..." I mean ✅ Well-deserved ✅ Recharge one's batteries ✅ Loved ones ✅ Use of present perfect ✅ Use of "like + full infinitive" to talk about habits ✅ Use of "would"

[@englisheverywhere5855]

Perfect! Could you make another one about C2? I'm about to take it 😬

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Yes. That's coming soon 🙂

[@andrearominastrigencz7370]

The pictures are to be compared but the question above the picture is what really matters. You may speculate but the question has to be answered as well.

[@douglashernandez6470]

It was awesome l lovely your class.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

I'm glad you liked it 🙂

[@Guitarra_Electrica]

Hey, I just found your channel! I was just skipping to the end to find out your assessment. I´s very curious in min 48:24 "It's important that they are teach at school" but YOU said "the past simple of teach is taught" Didn't you mean the PAST PARTICIPLE?? as this structure, as I'm sure you know, it's PASSIVE VOICE.

[@blacyiudi]

This chanel is pure gold

[@balencix6731]

Just finished my CAE exam a week ago. I would Say that you are perfectly prepared if you practice with the exercises on youtube, however, one thing to keep in mind is that the speaking part is super fast. Mine took just 10mins

[@aurelia3494]

The feedback from the examinators is available in the video's description

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

That's right

[@maddieb2763]

They are average, to be honest. Not bad, as you said, but not great, either. It's not the first time I've seen this video, I actually downloaded it some years ago but in my opinion it doesn't show an advanced level of speaking. Did they pass? I don't know really, I guess not but if they did, they probably didn't get high marks.

[@PS_Tube]

How many of native speakers could pass the C1 and C2 exam, I'm wondering?

[@Arturest]

I question to Ben - I'd appreciate a lot if you could answer it :) Why do you pronounce the S at beginning of words with an SH-sound? e.g. for structure you say SH-tructure, for student you say SH-tudent, demon-SH-trate, etc. Is it a common thing in British English? Is it a particular regional pronunciation perculiarity?

[@xLostInFirex]

Thank you so much for the video! Btw - can anyone tell me if having a noticeable native accent make you lose points? Or is it fine as long as others have no trouble understanding what you're saying?

[@manuelgordillo520]

In Spain this test is absolutely impersonal, there is no dialogue between teacher and students, only when the interaction takes place between both students, and sometimes three students. this exam is recorded, and the teacher only said //Time is over,/// you could be punished for speaking for more than four minutes. or barely you don't finish the speech without an end sum up.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

The interlocutors in all exam centre should read the same script

[@ackjulia6949]

The both candidates are nervous! I guess it might be a real speaking part.

[@camamama81]

anyone else watching this hours before their test?

[@estefaniaficca5572]

I wanted you to give examples of good answers to level up the grammar they've said

[@tehyonglip9203]

I think they might be choosing a less good example so you don't have to panic whether or not you can pass, if you can speak better than them, you'll probably pass xD

[@AaronStarkLinux]

In my humble opinion, they shouldn't let them pass the exam considering they barely spoke well, missing many connectors and advanced vocabulary, and both totally underperformed on the exam. They should've used them for a B2 video example.

[@jklkasnaf]

1 Hour remaining for a speaking test, wish me luck!

[@dusanokic869]

Did you pass bro, was it difficult?

[@jklkasnaf]

​@@dusanokic869 I did.

[@marcosmolinapastor2837]

​@@jklkasnafcongrats 🎉

[@englishteacher9783]

Hello do you teach CPE in group?

[@ragerremoest459]

I did not like hearing so much "I think" "I think" "I think" and so on. Raphael did it the most.

[@hilaleliasfreih8679]

Hey Ben! I just have a question for you: Am I able to take the Cambridge exam if I am living in Lebanon? The thing is that I have been learning English for about 4 years now, and I firmly believe that I am ready to take such an exam. I’ve thinking about taking the IELTS exam since it is available where I live, but since it seems that the Cambridge exam is more esteemed, I am shifting my opinion.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Yes. I'm sure you can take the Cambridge exams in Lebanon. You just need to find an authorised examination centre (eg British Council)

[@valkyrie7508]

A very useful video.I personally think they would not have passed the advanced

[@learnpashto5951]

they use simple language for C1 level

[@tttt4322]

Did they pass? Difficult to say, you can have less than 60% in the speaking paper provided that this is offset by the other 4 parts of the exam. Other than that, based on the official scores the answer is YES for both. All 3s for Raphael are 60% which is just enough. For Maude, the official score is actually a relatively good pass.

[@nobroo5264]

What? I thought the exam for C1 would be quite hard. If they pass with their level of english even I would probably manage to attain the C1 Level. Because to me their english didn't really seem advanced, I don't wanna insult them but that's just my honest opinion on this matter.

[@funlovincop]

@@nobroo5264 You should remember that the goal is not to pass the speaking exam but to raise it high enough that it can compensate for your weak points in the other parts of the exam. There are some easy points to get in the Speaking exam if you prepare well enough. Yes their english doesn't seem very advanced, and they may have "passed" this section but perhaps with not enough points to raise up their average.

[@milagrost4114]

mr. Ben i've just received my B2 certificate with a grade A!!! I am totally grateful with the hand you lend me 😀

[@user-vs3zl3zq1h]

B2 great result...people do not realise how good B2 is.

[@MustefaMandouche]

Please teasher Ben I'm in need to practice,my English speaking , can you advise me any good application that allow me to talk , to native speakers , thank you in advance.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

Apparently, italki can do that

[@MustefaMandouche]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. Thank you so much

[@annamiller9153]

Ben can you please help me with the questions, which of the following are correct: Whose bag is this? Whose bag is it? Whose trousers are these? Whose trousers are they? Thank you for your help

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

They're all correct 🙂

[@annamiller9153]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. Thank you very much Ben. I really appreciate it 😊

[@chicken_joe6993]

Got my CAE in 2 hours....

[@ProfessionalSeaOfTeaSwimmer]

Is there an alternate format where there's only one student being examined? I'll be taking the exam in some months but I'm not sure there's any other students doing it. It makes me nervous because I'll be the only one being examined however, doing it with someone else is equally enerving because it's going to be someone I'm not comfortable with.

[@tothepointenglishwithben.]

No. You will always have a partner. In some exam centres a teacher stands in if there are no other students taking the exam

[@ProfessionalSeaOfTeaSwimmer]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. Then maybe they'll replace the other student with a teacher. Thank you for letting me know.

[@heathershortland1]

@@tothepointenglishwithben. I've never heard of that. Usually another student repeats as a dummy candidate if for some reason they can't make a group of three at the end of the day.

[@sengs.4838]

I found the judgement quite harsh to be honest, they sounded to me quite fluent but not as a bilingual individual indeed , and not to mention that they are student and are not supposed to speak like a native with C1 level

[@olayaalvarez4187]

HAVE THEY PASSED?

[@user-go9ln4hi5o]

ja,ja,why?

[@arthurjeek7105]

Can't the examiner just say "try to elaborate your answers a little more", or even "can you try to build full sentences with as many vocabulary as you remember?", "would you add something more?", "try to describe the objects, the scenerio you see, that way I can give you more points", etc. That way she would be able to assess if they know more advanced vocabulary and grammar, and remove this tense atmosphere. A little tip during the interview won't hurt. And if it's not allowed, I don't get why these tests must be so strict and so formal. This is not an IQ test or a test assessing your imagination sort of thing, but to assess your english skills.

[@rogerbourne9004]

The speaking test is not a natural interaction and the interlocutor cannot have a free dialogue with the candidates. There are several million speaking tests held throughout the world each year and to maintain the quality and consistency of level the examiners can only use the texts in their booklet. That way every candidate, wherever they take a Cambridge English speaking test, is treated the same. The examiners only assess the level of English used by the candidates according to defined criteria and do not mark based on opinion or even factual correctness.

[@nosycat9793]

Thank you.

[@violetailic7477]

there is no way that they passed 🙃

[@mdsoulsounds]

This is a weird test and review because it all seems to be measuring social interaction, not English per se. It implies to speak English, one must be verbose when less credit is given to being succinct. I must be missing something.😐

[@norafeher8260]

No offense to these two but this feels more like a very strong B2 level. These grammatical errors are okay in a B2 exam as long as you express yourself fluently, as they did, but I think it's a little weak for c1. As Ben said, it would've been nice to hear more advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures.

[@juliaharris6284]

Lose the filters Ben.

[@nosycat9793]

I think those students had B2 level of English at most at that time

[@user-yg6on8wj4u]

Someone knows the marks of Camille and Ali?

[@saph2112]

My oral exam is tomorrow and I want to disappear 🫣🤭

[@coffee1600]

Mine is today...

[@saph2112]

@@coffee1600 same, don‘t think I‘m ready🫣 but good luck !!🫶🏼

[@tilda9068]

Did you two pass or if you haven’t received the results yet, how did it go? Mine is in two days and I’m suuuuper nervous :(

[@saph2112]

@@tilda9068 The oral exam was better than expected. The only thing that’s been tricky were the pictures I got, but you’ll figure it out eventually even if they appear to be impossible to get a hang of. I’ll get my results on the 2nd of may so I can’t yet tell you how it actually turned out

[@coffee1600]

@@tilda9068 My exam went better than expected but I haven’t received the results yet. Make sure that you are well prepared for the writing part. Good luck :)