Hello everyone.
I would like your thoughts on the subject. Is self study possible for the CPE exam?
Students who have taken the exam, what was their experience with it, how did they feel about it? Was it hard, for them ? How long did they have to prepare for it ?
Teachers.
Is there currently an agreement on "best material" for test preperation or do teachers have their own textbook preferences. If you were to suggest study material, what would your choices be?
Thanks for all the replies in advance.
Hi Karl,
I'm a teacher, so I have a different perspective on the CPE exam than students. What I've noticed is that students who go to an academy to study for the CPE will often have a very regimented style in English. The reality is that the CPE is an exam, it is not daily English.
People who study alone, and who occassionally have sessions with a teacher experienced in the CPE tend to do much better in life situations, and the score they achieve in the exam varies depending on their intuitive understanding.
It is a good idea to remember that the CPE is very different from the FCE. At lower levels, students are being marked on following rules, whereas at higher levels you are being marked fluency and interpretation. Let me give you an example; the reading paper in the CPE appears quite normal to most advanced students, but the mulltiple choice answers stump many because they haven't properly interpreted the text or the question.
As for a study guide, I think you really need a good set of books regardless of studying alone or with a teacher.
For grammar, I recommend "An A-Z of English Grammar & Usage" by Leech, Cruickshank, Ivanic. Longman ISBN 0-582-40574-2
For exam preparation, I recommend "Proficiency (CPE) Masterclass" by Gude, Duckworth, Rogers. OUP ISBN 0-194-32912-7
Thank you Loong Loong
You may take 3 trial sessions with different Italki teachers who have experiences on your test. Prepare your questions to ask or test them haha. And then you will have some ideas if he or she can really help you. Alternatively, you just stick on your self-study plan and when you have questions, take lessons from them, either way.
Good luck.
Ruthi and Andi thank you both for your feedback. I greatly appreciate it.
Hi Karl Franz,
I don't think there is any consensus about "best material". ( I am assuming you mean the CEP and not CPE). The best thing is to look at as many past papers or typical texts as possible.
Try to use authentic exams like this book
http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-English-Proficiency-Self-study-Students/dp/1107691648
and then of course practise all your skills as much as possible, and do error analysis.
