CPE (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.

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

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.

Exam dates
Reading
(Paper 1),
1 hour 30 minutes

·Thursday 14 June 2007 AM
·Thursday 13 December 2007 AM
·Thursday 12 June 2008 AM
·Thursday 11 December 2008 AM
Writing
(Paper 2),
2 hours ·Thursday 14 June 2007 AM
·Thursday 13 December 2007 AM
·Thursday 12 June 2008 AM
·Thursday 11 December 2008 AM
Use of English
(Paper 3),
1 hour 30 minutes ·Thursday 14 June 2007 PM
·Thursday 13 December 2007 PM
·Thursday 12 June 2008 PM
·Thursday 11 December 2008 PM
Papers 4 and 5 are held by separate arrangement, within specified periods - contact your centre for more details.
Listening
(Paper 4),
40 minutes (approx.)

·09 June to 24 June 2007
·01 December to 16 December 2007
·31 May to 15 June 2008
·11 December 2008 PM
Speaking
(Paper 5),
19 minutes ·21 May to 24 June 2007
·16 November to 16 December 2007
·19 May to 22 June 2008
·14 November to 14 December 2008
Please note that special timetable arrangements will apply for CPE candidates at centres in Greece.

Set texts
2007
Anita Desai, Clear Light of Day
Michelle Magorian, Goodnight Mister Tom
Tobias Hill, The Cryptographer

2008
*Michelle Magorian, Goodnight Mister Tom
*Tobias Hill, The Cryptographer
Tracy Chevalier, Girl with a Pearl Earring

*Set also in 2007

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