Certificate of Proficiency in English


CPE is the highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If you are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context and are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker, then this is the exam for you.
Over 45,000 people in more than 80 countries take the CPE exam each year. Success at this level represents a significant personal achievement.

Why take CPE?

CPE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad, or to develop a career which requires language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). On passing the exam, you'll receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Your CPE certificate is recognised by thousands of universities and employers throughout the world.
You will also receive a statement of results, showing how you performed in each paper.
While studying for CPE you will be improving your language skills and learning to use them in a wide range of contexts. Because many aspects of the exams are based on realistic tasks, a CPE certificate shows that you have progressed beyond a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and can actually use the language in real contexts.

What does the exam involve?

CPE has five papers:
• Reading
• Writing
• Use of English
• Listening
• Speaking

The written papers are returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine candidates face-to-face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.
Reading (Paper 1), 1 hour 30 minutes
The Reading paper assesses your ability to read and understand texts taken from a wide range of sources, including fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines. You are expected to understand the meaning of written English at word, phrase, sentence, paragraph and whole text level. It includes understanding of text content, organisation and structure, and the development of ideas, opinions and attitudes.
Writing (Paper 2), 2 hours
The Writing paper assesses your ability to write non-specialised texts types such as letters, articles, reports and reviews for a given purpose and target reader, covering a wide range of topics. The paper also includes questions on set texts. Responses are of 300-350 words in length.
Use of English (Paper 3), 1 hour 30 minutes
In the Use of English paper, you are expected to demonstrate your knowledge and control of the language system by completing various tasks at word, sentence and text level. These include gap-filling and word formation exercises, comprehension questions and a summary writing task.
Listening (Paper 4), 40 minutes (approx.)
The Listening paper assesses the ability to listen to and understand texts taken from a variety of text types including interviews, discussions, lectures and conversations. It tests the ability to understand the meaning of spoken English, to extract information from a spoken text and to understand speakers' attitudes and opinions.
Speaking (Paper 5), 19 minutes (approx.)
The Speaking Test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English in a range of contexts. The paper contains three parts, which take the form of an interview section, a collaborative task and individual long turns with follow-up discussion. You are provided with picture and written stimulus and you normally take the Speaking Test in pairs.
Set texts
2006
*J. B. Priestley, An Inspector Calls
*Ann Patchett, Bel Canto
Anita Desai, Clear Light of Day

*Set also in 2005
2007
Anita Desai, Clear Light of Day
Michelle Magorian, Goodnight Mister Tom
Tobias Hill, The Cryptographer
How to register
To register for the exam, you need to contact an authorised Cambridge ESOL exam centre - entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge.The centre will give you full information about the fees for taking CPE, the dates of the tests and other arrangements.
Many candidates take a preparation course before entering for the exam. If you are studying English at the moment, speak to your teacher about preparing for CPE. If you are not studying at the moment, your nearest Cambridge ESOL exam centre will be able to advise you. Find a centre.
If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam.


Results

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.
Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the centres. For reasons of confidentiality, Cambridge ESOL does not give results to individual students or publish them on the website. If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the centre where you took the exam.
Once awarded Cambridge ESOL CPE certificates are valid for life.