Balancing high-level academics with extra commitments is always a challenge, but preparing for the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) was one of the most rewarding milestones during my time at Haarlemmermeerlyceum.
Here is how I tackled the extra workload, balanced it alongside the rigorous IB Higher Level English curriculum, and successfully passed the weekend exam.
1. Going Beyond the Regular Curriculum
While completing my bilingual VWO (TTO) track at Haarlemmermeerlyceum, standard coursework wasn’t the end of the road. Aiming for full professional fluency meant pushing beyond the weekly schedule.
I enrolled in the extra CAE training classes, which took place right after regular school hours. After a full day of standard lessons, staying behind to dive into advanced grammar mechanics, complex essay structures, and high-level vocabulary required real discipline. However, these extra hours built the sharp analytical skills needed for C1/C2-level proficiency.
2. Managing IB Higher Level & CAE Simultaneously
One of the most intense parts of this period was managing the CAE prep alongside the IB Higher Level English Language & Literature course.
While both tracks complement each other, they require very different mindsets:
- IB Higher Level: Demanded deep literary analysis, textual critique, and stylistic evaluation.
- CAE Prep: Demanded precision, rapid task execution, precise Use of English, and versatile writing formats (formal reports, proposals, and essays).
Switching between analyzing complex literary works for IB and mastering the strict timed structures of the Cambridge format proved to be an exceptional lesson in time management and mental adaptability.
3. Weekend Exam Day: Putting It to the Test
The culmination of all those post-school training sessions came down to an intense weekend exam day. Taking a high-stakes standardized exam on a weekend—when school is usually out—brought a unique kind of pressure.
The test covered four major components:
- Reading & Use of English: Testing complex syntax and nuance under tight time constraints.
- Writing: Producing multiple structured text types back-to-back.
- Listening: Dissecting fast-paced native conversations and speeches.
- Speaking: Engaging in dynamic, real-time debates and collaborative tasks with partners.
The Takeaway
Earning the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) was more than just gaining an officially recognized language credential. It taught me how to push through long days, manage competing academic priorities under pressure, and refine my communication—skills that continue to serve me every day in international software environments and academic studies at the University of Amsterdam.