Understand a wide range of long, demanding texts and express yourself fluently and spontaneously.
Tests 1 and 3 make up group 1; tests 2 and 4 make up group 2.
Comprensión de lectura y uso de la lengua
Answer multiple-choice questions on a formal text.
Put paragraphs removed from a text back in place.
Answer multiple-choice questions on an opinion piece.
Match statements to a set of short texts.
Choose the right word or structure for each gap in a text.
Comprensión auditiva y uso de la lengua
Listen to a lecture and choose the six true statements out of twelve.
Answer questions about several short conversations.
Answer multiple-choice questions on a radio interview.
Answer one question on each of ten short dialogues with idiomatic or colloquial expressions.
Destrezas integradas: comprensión auditiva y expresión e interacción escritas
Listen to a lecture, take notes, then write a text that summarises and assesses it and gives your opinion.
Choose one of two options and write a formal text such as a report, article or letter.
Destrezas integradas: comprensión de lectura y expresión e interacción orales
Present and assess the text you prepared and give your opinion on it.
Discuss the topic of the text with the examiner.
Choose one of two cards and agree with the examiner on one of its four options.
Each test is marked out of 25. You need at least 30 of the 50 points in each group, in the same sitting, and a strong group cannot make up for a weak one. The result is APTO or NO APTO, and the diploma never expires.
| Reading and use of language | 18 of 25 |
|---|---|
| Listening and use of language | 16 of 25 |
| Integrated skills: listening and writing | 13 of 25 |
| Integrated skills: reading and speaking | 15 of 25 |
APTO
| Reading and use of language | 22 of 25 |
|---|---|
| Listening and use of language | 25 of 25 |
| Integrated skills: listening and writing | 7 of 25 |
| Integrated skills: reading and speaking | 20 of 25 |
NO APTO
Registration is done with the Instituto Cervantes, where you choose an exam centre and see its fee.
| Exam day | Levels | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Closed on 30 September 2026 | |
| Opens 18 November 2026, closes 10 February 2027 | |
| Opens 18 November 2026, closes 7 April 2027 | |
| Opens 18 November 2026, closes 12 May 2027 | |
| Opens 18 November 2026, closes 29 September 2027 |
C1 shows that you can use Spanish flexibly for academic and professional purposes. Health professionals from countries where Spanish is not an official language need C1 or C2 to apply for Spain’s specialised health training, and other candidates sit it for university posts, teaching or translation work.
C1 combines skills in each test. Test 1 is reading and use of language (90 minutes) and test 2 is listening and use of language (50 minutes). Test 3 asks you to listen to a lecture and write from it (80 minutes). Test 4 asks you to read a text and then speak about it with the examiner (20 minutes, after 20 minutes of preparation). Tests 1 and 3 form group 1; tests 2 and 4 form group 2.
Reading and listening. Time is tight in test 1, which mixes long texts with grammar and vocabulary gaps. Since 2024, listening task 1 asks you to choose the six true statements out of twelve about a lecture.
Writing. In test 3 task 1 you write from your notes on a lecture: summarise it, assess it and give your own view. Practise taking structured notes at speed. Task 2 is a formal text, such as a report, article or letter, chosen from two options.
Speaking. In test 4 you present and evaluate the text you prepared, discuss it and then negotiate with the examiner, choosing one of two cards and agreeing on one of its four options. Examiners also assess whether you did everything each task asked.