Question 1

What is the CPE exam?

Accepted Answer

The CPE exam, or Certificate of Proficiency in English, is an advanced-level English language qualification offered by Cambridge Assessment English. It assesses proficiency in English at a level higher than the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE). The CPE exam consists of four sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Question 2

How do I enroll for the CPE exam?

Accepted Answer

In order to take the CPE (also known as the Cambridge English: Proficiency) exam, you will need to enroll at one of the 2,000 examination centers that Cambridge English has worldwide.

Question 3

How is the CPE exam scored?

Accepted Answer

Each section of the CPE exam is scored separately. The overall result is reported on the Cambridge English Scale, and candidates receive grades ranging from A (highest) to C (lowest).

Question 4

How much does the CPE exam cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the country in which you take the exam. Contact the Local Secretary at the center concerned for information on fees.

Question 5

What is the format of the CPE exam?

Accepted Answer

The CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) exam consists of four sections designed to assess different language skills. The reading and use of the English section is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on reading comprehension, and Part 2 assesses language use, including grammar and vocabulary. This section involves multiple-choice questions, open cloze, word formation, and various reading comprehension exercises. The writing section includes two tasks: An essay or article (about 220–260 words) and a choice of three tasks, such as an essay, letter, proposal, report, or review (about 220–260 words).
The listening section involves multiple-choice questions, sentence completion, multiple matching, and note-taking. The listening materials include interviews, discussions, lectures, and conversations. The speaking section is divided into four parts: An interview (about 2 minutes per candidate), a long turn (each candidate talks on their own for about 1 minute), a collaborative task (a discussion between the candidates based on visual stimuli, lasting about 3 minutes) and a discussion (about 5 minutes).