We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in the exam room, your heart is racing just a little bit, and the examiner hands you those two photos. Your brain naturally wants to take the easiest path: describing what you see. "In the first photo, I can see a man in an office. He is wearing a blue shirt and looking at his laptop..." It feels safe, right? But here is a little secret from someone who has seen many students hit the "C1 Plateau": The examiner already knows what’s in the p

At C1 level, students often believe grammar is no longer a problem — but even advanced learners make small errors that can lower their marks in writing or speaking.These mistakes are not about knowing the rules; they’re about noticing how native speakers really use English . Let’s test your awareness with five tricky sentences. Try to correct them before checking the explanations. 1. “If I would have known, I’d have done something.” ❌ Incorrect ✅ Correct: If I had known, I’d

Writing at C1 Advanced level isn’t about being poetic or overly formal — it’s about showing clarity, structure, and argument control. Many otherwise strong students lose marks because their essays feel like a collection of ideas rather than a well-developed argument. Here’s how to write essays that feel effortless, logical, and exactly what examiners want to read. Understand the Purpose of the Task You’ll usually be asked to discuss a question, evaluate two ideas, and present

Many students preparing for the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam believe that using complex vocabulary means filling their answers with rare or “fancy” words.In reality, examiners don’t reward memorised expressions — they reward natural, flexible vocabulary  that fits the context. If you’ve ever used a word from a list and thought, “I’m not sure this sounds right,”  you’re not alone. Let’s explore how to make your vocabulary sound advanced without sounding artificial. What “Advanc

Preparing for the Cambridge exams can be a daunting task. With so much information to absorb and skills to master, students often feel overwhelmed. However, at The Exam Academy, we believe that personalized preparation can make all the difference. Our tailored approach helps students not only understand the material but also build confidence and develop effective study habits. In this blog post, we will explore how personalized prep can lead to Cambridge exam success. We will

If you're preparing for the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, you know that Writing Task 1 often asks for a formal report or proposal. One of the key ways to impress the examiner and hit a high band score is by using precise, topic-appropriate vocabulary.This blog post will give you the tools to sound professional, structured, and advanced—just what you need to stand out at C1 level. What is Writing Task 1 in the CAE? You may be asked to write a:- Report- Proposal- (Occasiona

1. Familiarise yourself with what you have to do In the Cambridge Advanced Speaking (CAE) test, you will demonstrate your ability to...

Exercise: Complete the following passage with the provided words and phrases. biopharmaceutical, response, pandemic potential, emergency...

Exercise: Complete the following essay sentences using your own words. Example: Economic growth can widen income inequality, because … Answer: Economic growth can widen income inequality, because it benefits those who own economic resources more than those who do not. 1, Social media platforms are great academic tools for students, because … . 2, … is one of the reasons why the air in many countries is becoming increasingly polluted. 3, To reduce the number of smokers in its

Students often fall down in the listening paper because of technique and not because of their English listening skills. Here are a few...