C1 Speaking Scores
Speaking C1 Evaluation
The Cambridge C1 Advanced or C1 speaking exam is evaluated under a number of categories. Here we’ll take a look at what these C1 speaking scores are and how each of the categories is used to arrive at these scores.
C1 Scoring Categories
The first thing to point out about all of the Cambridge exams is that the bands go from 0-5 and from a score of 1 they increase in 0.5 marks. For example 0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, …
A pass mark is an overall score of Band 3. Bear in mind that examiners are constantly evaluating how a candidate is performing all the way through the speaking test and they only decide on a final score at the end of the test. It is likely that a performance will vary and it is the overall impression that confirms the final mark.
The categories that examiners use for C1 speaking scores are as follows
- Grammatical Resource
- Lexical Resource
- Discourse Management
- Pronunciation
- Interactive Communication
There is also one extra final global score which comes from the interlocutor or the person who is asking the questions.
So how do the examiners look at the individual scores for each category?
Grammatical Resource
Grammatical resource is where the examiner looks at the range of grammar that a candidate has. For a pass at Cambridge Advanced a candidate should be able to use simple tenses very well, without errors and also to try to use more complex structures.
More complex forms could be the use of conditionals, gerund forms or a variety of passive structures. The important thing here however is to be as accurate as you can be because the examiner will also look at the level of errors. Here’s an example of a C1 candidate response in Part 1.
Do you like to have a routine in life? (Why?/Why not?)
I wouldn’t say that I have a standard routine. Obviously, I’ve got my studies and I need to be in college at certain times but otherwise I prefer to be free to decide when I want to do things. I know my friends don’t always enjoy this and they would rather I had a more regular routine so that it’s easier to meet. Even so, I know that when I finish college, I will have to have a more regular routine but for now it’s fun.
This answer has a variety of different grammar forms and all of them are used accurately. In our sample answer here the candidate is accurate and if they can maintain it throughout the test it should give a candidate a Band 4 score.
Lexical Resource
Lexical resource is where the examiner looks at the vocabulary range. As with grammar you need to have basic vocabulary for any topic. The examiner is also looking at what vocabulary you might have for topics you know less about.
- Is it simple familiar vocabulary or is the candidate using less common words?
- Is it used appropriately and naturally?
The wider the range of vocabulary you can show the higher your score will be. However, try not to memorise language. It is important to use vocabulary appropriately as examiners will not award good scores if they think a candidate has just learnt a list of words. This example from a Part 3 answer which shows a wide range of vocabulary used appropriately.
The question for Part 3 is How important are these options for a healthy life?
family
A: Families are probably at the core of our lives and they are the people we first turn to whenever we have problems or issues outside. I also think they offer stability to our lives and in the context of mental health it is important to have people like that.
This response contains examples of simple vocabulary like problems or issues and less common expressions like at the core. By consistently maintaining the use of a wider range of common and less common lexis a candidate can achieve a Band 3.5-4.0
Discourse Management
The examiner looks at two things here; whether you can offer an extended opinion on a topic and how you organize your ideas while you are speaking. So, the key here is to keep talking and to make sure that any ideas you include are linked together well. If you can speak for longer periods and join ideas well you will get a higher speaking score. Look at this example of a Part 4 answer, where candidates have an opportunity to discuss topics in detail.
Do you think governments should spend more money on public health facilities for everyone?
A: I think that’s a difficult question. I don’t believe it’s possible to have public health facilities for everybody and it’s also an expensive commitment from the government. However, I do think they should improve the current facilities so that we have a good standard throughout our health system. The trouble of course is that not everybody agrees on what a good system is and what public money should be spent on it. Typically, people who favour a complete public system will not support a situation which is both mixed public and private. That can mean a lot of arguments and limits on what can be spent on a public system.
This response uses a number of expressions to join ideas together and it also includes a personal opinion with of course. This is a good example of an extended answer with a selection of linking devices, which are used appropriately and if the candidate can continue in this way it should be enough for a Band 4 score.
Pronunciation
The examiner here looks at how the candidate pronounces words and English sounds and also how they express their ideas across sentences. For Cambridge Advanced you need to make sure you do not have any individual problem sounds. You also need to be natural in using stress in sentences and in expressing longer ideas. Having an accent is generally not a problem as long as what you say is clear. There are examples of good scores in pronunciation on the English With Cambridge channel.
Interactive Communication
Interactive communication looks at a number of things. The first thing it looks at is whether you are interacting with your partner. That includes responding to what they say but also allowing them to give their own opinion. The second element the examiner looks at is how you respond. So, for example, can you respond appropriately to what your exam partner has said and can you also start a discussion by responding to a question from the examiner? Here’s an example of good interaction between candidates in a Part 3 task.
The question as above is How important are these options for a healthy life?
regular exercise
B: I agree with exercise but I don’t know if it’s always possible. It is something we should certainly aspire to but I think it’s important to make sure that we don’t become too obsessed with it. After all doctors suggest that we only need to do quite a limited amount of exercise to be healthy.
A: I disagree on the quantity. As I said earlier mental health can be such a key factor in our lives and doing exercise helps with this. I think it is important for us to make a great effort to get involved in regular activities, even when perhaps we least feel like it.
In this example the second candidate responds to their partner’s opinion about exercise and they also refer back to a previous opinion. The key factor in Interaction scores is the ability to respond to a partner and to develop further ideas. Scores of Band 4 are certainly achievable when candidates participate well in Part 3 & Part 4.
Global Speaking Score
The last of the C1 speaking scores comes from the interlocutor or the person who asks questions. What it refers to is their overall opinion of how a candidate has performed a test. So, for a score of 3 for example, they consider that the candidate has been able to communicate their ideas fairly well and that is the language is reasonably accurate.
One thing to remind yourself is that it’s not a score on one individual part. The examiner is constantly evaluating how candidates perform during the whole 15 minutes of their speaking test. That said, there are probably better opportunities for candidates to show a wider range of language in part 3 and particularly in part 4. So, be sure you take advantage of this!
Take a look at our review of a Cambridge Advanced Speaking Test and think about how the candidates perform for each of these categories.
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Get Our Cambridge C1 Speaking Practice Book
Welcome to your essential guide for mastering the Cambridge Advanced C1 speaking exam! This practice book is specifically designed for students who want to excel in their speaking test. Discover everything you need to know, with targeted practice materials that will boost your confidence and performance.
C1 Speaking Practice Book
Welcome to your essential guide for mastering the Cambridge Advanced C1 speaking exam! This practice book is specifically designed for students who want to excel in their speaking test. Discover everything you need to know, with targeted practice materials that will boost your confidence and performance.