Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Information for candidates
Practical preparation tips, information on what to expect on test day and useful links.
Exam Format
The C1 Advanced level exhaustively tests all language skills. The exam consists of four tests developed to evaluate your linguistic skills in English.
Reading and Use of English
1 hour 30 minutes
The C2 Proficiency reading comprehension and language use test includes different types of text and questions. In one part you will need to read a long text or three or more short texts and relate them to each other. This test accounts for 40% of the final grade.
Writing
1 hour 30 minutes
In the two parts of the C2 Proficiency written expression test you have to demonstrate that you can write various types of text in English. This test accounts for 20% of the final grade.
Candidates should not tackle the optional scripted text question in Part 2 unless they understand the text on which they are asked to answer the questions.
Teachers are the best ones to judge whether the text and/or film version are appropriate and stimulating in the teaching context.
Listening
Approximately 40 minutes
The C2 Proficiency listening comprehension test consists of four parts. In each part you have to listen to one or more recorded texts and answer some questions. Recordings are played twice. This test accounts for 20% of the final grade.
Speaking
16 minutos para cada pareja de candidatos
The oral expression test Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency It consists of three parts in which you appear together with another candidate. There are two examiners: one of the examiners (the interlocutor) conducts the test and the other (the evaluator) listens to what you say and takes notes. The Speaking Test accounts for 20% of the final grade.
Choosing your partner for the Speaking Test
If you want to take the Speaking Test with a friend or classmate, you can request it when registering for the exam. In any case, keep in mind that research carried out on the experience of thousands of exams has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages when taking the test with someone you know and that in the end this factor does not influence the candidate's performance. . It is important to understand that what is valued is your own language skills.
If you want to take the Speaking Test with a friend or classmate, you can request it when registering for the exam. In any case, keep in mind that research carried out on the experience of thousands of exams has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages when taking the test with someone you know and that in the end this factor does not influence the candidate's performance. . It is important to understand that what is valued is your own language skills.
Frequently asked questions and tips for exam day
Information for candidates:
The Candidate Information booklet is packed with exam information, preparation tips, and frequently asked questions. A great way to help students feel fully prepared for their exam.
Paper Based
- C2 Proficiency sample papers
- There are also mock tests in the C2 Proficiency Handbook.
- Handbook Listening Test Audio
Computadora/Digital
The optimal browser to carry out these tests is Mozilla Firefox. Download Firefox for free.
To familiarize yourself with the exam format, mira este tutorial antes de comenzar.
Answer Sheet
- C2 Proficiency Reading & Use of English Test Sample 1 Answer key
- C2 Proficiency Listening Sample 1 answer key
- C2 Proficiency Listening Sample 1 tapescript
There are no answer keys for Writing, but there are example answers and examiner comments in the páginas relevantes del C2 Proficiency handbook.
Writing Checklist
Use this checklist to improve your written English and practice for your exam.
Download the checklist for the Level C2 written expression test
Example of the Speaking Test
This video helps you understand what a Speaking test for the Cambridge Assessment English C2 Proficiency exam is like. You can download a document with detailed comments about the performance shown by the candidates, including information related to the Speaking test format and the evaluation criteria.
Read the examiners' comments for the Speaking test by Rodrigo and Ollin