CPE is Cambridge ESOL’s most advanced exam at level C2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework. It is aimed at people who use English for professional or study purposes. At this stage, learners are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker. CPE is accepted by almost all universities and colleges in Britain and many others throughout the world.
Can you…
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use English to advise on, or talk about complex or sensitive issues? |
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understand the finer points of documents, correspondence and reports? |
If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then CPE is the right exam for you.
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Reading (1 hour 30 minutes)
This paper tests your ability to understand texts from a wide selection of sources, ranging from newspaper articles to literature. You are expected to understand the text structure and detail and grasp an opinion, standpoint or development of ideas. |
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Writing (2 hours)
This paper tests your ability to compose a non-specialised text in the form of a letter, article, review or report (300–350 words) covering a range of set topics to a targeted reader. |
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Use of English (1 hours 30 minutes)
This paper tests your knowledge of English sentence structure and text structure and you will be asked to fill in the gaps, error correction, word formation and register transfer. You will be also given a summary writing task. |
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Listening (40 minutes)
This part of the test will require of you to understand the meaning of the spoken text and extract detailed information and understand speakers attitude and opinions. |
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Speaking (15 minutes)
The speaking test is done with an experienced examiner and you are expected to get engaged and interact in conversational English. You will be put you in a contextual situation as well as involving you in a discussion and interview testing your conversation skills in English. |
Each component carries 20% of the total marks. There are three pass grades (A, B and C) and certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a grade D or E are judged not to have reached the required standard for CPE.
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