C2 Proficiency
The Cambridge C2 Proficiency Certificate (former CPE) is the highest level qualification. It shows that you have mastered English to an exceptional level.
What is the C2 Proficiency like?
The test consists of 4 parts, which will test you on your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking Skills, and language (vocabulary and grammar) knowledge.
Key facts about the CPE
| CEFR level: | C2 |
|---|---|
| Scale score: | 200–230 |
| Test format: | Computer or paper based |
| No. of papers: | 4 |
| Exam length: | About 4 hours |
Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 minutes)
Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)
Listening (about 40 minutes)
Speaking (16 minutes per pair of candidates)
- The English Usage & Reading Test
Total of 7 parts/ 53 questions
The English Usage part tests your vocabulary and grammar knowledge.
- Part 1 – A single text with eight gaps. (Idioms, collocations, fixed phrases, complementation, phrasal verbs, semantic precision.)
- Part 2 (Open cloze) – A single text with eight missing words. (grammar and vocabulary)
- Part 3 (Word formation) – filling the gaps with a variation of a given word that completes the gap correctly. (vocabulary)
Example: Key word ‘execute’, Answer: executives.
- Part 4 (Key word transformations) – write between three and eight words, including the word given to complete a sentence without changing its original meaning.
Example: Do you mind if I watch you while you paint?
objection
Answer: Do you have any objection to my watching you while you paint?
The Writing Test
Consists of two writing tasks.
You’ll need to write 2 different genres such as essays, letters/emails, proposals, reports or reviews.
Part 1 between 240-280 words.
Part 2 between 280–320 words.
The Listening Test
Total of 4 parts/ 30 questions
The Speaking Test
Total: 3 parts.
You’ll take the test with another candidate.
- Par 1 – Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate.
- Part 2 – First, you have to answer a question which focuses on your reaction to aspects of one or more pictures (1 minute). The second part is a decision-making task which you have to do with the other candidate.
- Part 3 –The interlocutor gives you a card with a question and some ideas on it and you have to speak for about 2 minutes on your own. After you finish, your partner has to comment and the interlocutor then asks you both a question on the same topic. The interlocutor follows the same procedure with your partner and then leads a discussion with both of you.A singl
Professora Andréa Câmara 