Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) «

certificate

What is CPE?“Cambridge English: Proficiency” is also abbreviatedas CPE and is the highest Cambridge examination.To pass this exam, you need C2 skills, the highest

level of the Common European Framework ofReference for Languages. With the Proficiency

Certificate, you prove to have language skills at thehighest level and can communicate flexibly and withvery few mistakes. You are able to understand and

create texts of the highest complexity and cantherefore use all elements of English with style and

appropriacy to the situation at hand.

Scores (Cambridge English scale score)

Grade A 220-230 ( Cambridge English scale score)Grade B 213-219 (Cambridge English scale score)Grade C 200-212 ( Cambridge English scale score)C1 fail 180 -199 (Cambridge English scale score)

REGISTRATION

Book at least three months in advance. You can dopaper or computer-based. Candidates have achoice between computer and paper-based.

Difficulty level

C2 / Proficient user (CEFR level scale)

Number of papers

There are four papers. Reading and Use of English are worth50%, Writing, Listening and Speaking are worth 25% each.

Helloworld!

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CPEWHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENTS RECEIVES

LESS THAN 180 POINTS?

If a candidate receives less than an average of 180points (C1 Cambridge English scale score),the grade willnot be reported on the Cambridge English scale score.

DOES PROFICIENCY (CPE) HAVE ANEXPIRY DATE?

Fortunately, the Proficiency (CPE) does nothave an expiry date.

How does CPE translate on theCEFR level scale?

understand everything they hear andreadexpress oneself clearly and preciselysummarize, contrast with fine detail,develop arguments in complex situations

C2 Proficiency (CPE) translates as C2Proficient user on the CEFR level scale.Thismeans candidates can:

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When is the CPE necessary?As the CPE is the highest level Cambridge exam, it will fit any

requirement necessary for study, visa or work purposes.

English teacher If you are a non-nativeEnglish speaker andwant to become an

English teacher, the CPEcertificate is a

requirement.

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Reading90 MINUTES

Part 1: Multiple-choice cloze (one mark for each correct answer)Part 5: Mulitple choice (two marks for each correct answer)Part 6: Gapped text (two marks for each correct answer)Part 7: Multiple matching (one mark for each correct answer)

What parts are graded in the Reading part?

The maximum Reading score is 44 points whichcorresponds to 230 (C2 Grade A) on Cambridge Englishscale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Reading score is 28 points which correspondsto 200 (C2 Grade C) on Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

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Fiction, non-fiction books, journals, newspapersand manuals.

What are the text types?

Time management can be a challenging factor of theCPE exam. Candidates have approx. 11 minutes tocomplete each Reading part.

How much time do candidates have tocomplete each Reading part?

Both Reading and Use of English are taken on the samepaper but are given two separate grades. Candidates aregiven 90 minutes to complete both parts. Reading andUse of English are worth 50% (25% each) of the overallexam.

Are Reading and Use of English takentogether?

Part 2: Open-cloze (one mark for each correct answer)Part 3: Word formation (one mark for each correct answer)Part 4: Keyword transformation (up to two marks for eachcorrect answer)

What parts are graded in the Use of English?

Time management can be a challenging factor of the FCEexam. Candidates have approx. 12 minutes to completeeach Use of English part.

How much time do candidates have tocomplete each Use of English part?

It is advisable to write with capital letters in the Use ofEnglish part, if candidates choose the paper-based exam.

Do I have to write with capital letters in the paperbased exam?

Use of English 90 MINUTES

The maximum Use of English score is 28 points whichcorresponds to 230 (C2 Grade A) on the Cambridge Englishscale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Use of English score is 17 points whichcorresponds to 200 (C2 Grade C) on the CambridgeEnglish scale score.

Minimum score

Spelling is very important. Anything spelt incorrectlywill be penalised.

How important is spelling?

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Both Reading and Use of English are taken on the samepaper but are given two separate grades. Candidates aregiven 90 minutes to complete both parts. Reading and Use ofEnglish are worth 50% (25% each) of the overall exam.

Are Reading and Use of English taken together?

Writing 90 MINUTES

Part 1: Write an essay (compulsory 240-280 words)Part 2: Choice between a review, report, letter, proposal (280-320 words)

There are two parts in the Writing section.

How many parts are in the Writing?

The maximum Writing score is 40 points which corresponds to230 (C2 Grade A) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Writing score is 24 points which correspondsto 200 (C2 Grade C) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

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Yes, if the examiner cannot read your handwriting correctly thenmarks will be taken away. If a candidate has unclear handwriting,it's worth considering computer-based.

Can candidates get penalised for bad handwriting inpaper- based exams?Examiners give 0-5 marks for the following criteria:

Grammar and Vocabulary; Discourse Management;Pronunciation; and Interactive Communication.Examiners can also award half marks.

How is the Writing graded?

This depends on the exam type. Students have achoice between paper-based and computer-based. It'simportant for candidates to research this beforeregistering.

Do candidates type or write their texts?

Listening 40 MINUTES

Part 1: Multiple choice (one mark for each correct answer)Part 2: Sentence completion (one mark for each correct answer)Part 3: Multiple choice (one mark for each correct answer)Part 4: Multiple matching (one mark for each correct answer)

there are four parts in the Listening section

How many parts are in the Listening?

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The maximum Listening score is 30 points which correspondsto 230 (C2 Grade A) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Listening score is 18 points which corresponds to200 (C2 Grade C) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score to pass

Candidates hear the listening twice. Furthermore,candidates are allowed to take notes during theListening section.

How many times do candidates hear theListening?

Headphones are provided for computer-based examsand a CD player is provided for paper-based exams.

What Listening equipment is provided?

Do candidates get extra time to transfertheir answers?Candidates get an extra five minutes at the end of the test totransfer their answers to the answer sheet. Candidates shouldonly transfer their answers to the answer sheet when advisedby the examiner.

COMPUTER-BASED PAPER-BASED

HOW CAN THE EXAM BE TAKEN?You have the choice

It takes two weeks toreceive results.

It takes four weeks toreceive results.

Speaking

16 MINUTES

Part 1: interview (2 minutes)Part 2: collaborative task (4 minutes)Part 3: long turn and discussion (10 minutes)

There are four parts in the Speaking section

How many parts are in the Speaking exam?Candidates do the speaking exam with an examinerand a partner. Some parts of the exam are donealone and other parts involve your speaking partner.

Who takes part in the Speaking exam?

The maximum Speaking score is 75 points which corresponds to230 (C2 Grade A) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Maximum score

The minimum Speaking score is 45 points which correspondsto 200 (C2 Grade C) on the Cambridge English scale score.

Minimum score

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Candidates are allowed to choose their partner,provided their partner is taking the same exam on thesame date in the same place.

Can candidates choose their partners?

This depends on the exam event that you register for. Thisinformation is usually given to candidates before they register.

Are the Written and Speaking test on the same day?

Upcoming exam

dates in Basel

21.09.2020

Registrationdeadline

11.06.2021

Writingtest

1.09.2020

Registrationopens

St.Alban-Anlage 25 4052 Basel / BS

Switzerland

LocationPaper

Exam type

415CHF

Price

06.03.2021

Writingtest

1.09.2020

Registrationopens

03.12.2020

Writingtest

05.12.2020

Speakingtest

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