How long does it realistically take to study for the CAE?

Congrats on passing! Can I ask — how many questions did the actual exam have compared to what the practice tests simulate? I've seen different numbers online and want to calibrate my timing during practice.

Really helpful breakdown, thanks for sharing. I'm at week 2 of my CAE prep and the practice test section is exactly where I'm struggling too. Going to try the approach you described and see if it moves my scores.

Quick update: just cleared 85% on my most recent CAE practice set using free cae vehicle safety testing. Sitting for the real thing in 2 weeks. Feeling cautiously optimistic.

Great discussion. One thing nobody mentions: sleep the night before matters more than one more study session. Went in fully rested for my CAE and felt sharper than expected.

Honestly, I almost bailed at week six. I was working similar hours to you and I just felt like nothing was sticking. I'd come home, open the study materials, read the same section three times, and still couldn't tell you what I just read. It wasn't fun. But I stuck with it and passed on my first attempt after about ten weeks total, so I'm glad I didn't quit.

My honest take is that the "4 weeks" estimates you're seeing online are for people who either have way more background than they're admitting or they're studying full time. With a 43-hour work week, plan for 10 to 12 weeks if you want to actually feel ready and not just hope for the best. The material isn't impossible but there's a lot of it, and cramming it doesn't really work. Give yourself time to let it settle.