C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts: 7 parts

Candidates write their answers in the answer sheet using pencil.

Number of questions: 53 questions in total

Part 1 (8 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Use of English component; mainly lexical) One short gapped text with eight multiple-choice questions. Candidates must choose one word or phrase from a set of four to fill each gap.

Part 2 (8 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Use of English component; mainly grammatical) One modified open close of a text with eight gaps. Candidates have to identify the right single word which best fits each gap.

Part 3 (8 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Use of English component; affixation) One short text with eight gaps, each of which corresponds to a word. The stems of the missing words are given beside the text and candidates have to change them to form the missing words.

Part 4 (6 questions - up to 2 marks for each correct answer)

(Use of English component) Six discrete items with a ‘lead-in’ sentence followed by a key word and a response sentence with a gap.  Using the key word, candidates have to complete the response sentence in 3–8 words so that it means the same as the ‘lead-in’ sentence.

Part 5 (6 questions - 2 marks for each correct answer)

(Reading component) One long text (700-750 words) with six four-option multiple-choice comprehension questions.

Part 6 (7 questions - 2 marks for each correct answer)

(Reading component) One gapped text from which paragraphs have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text. Candidates must decide from where in the text the paragraphs have been removed.         

Part 7 (10 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Reading component) One long text (or several short texts) followed by multiple-matching questions. Candidates must match a prompt to elements in the text. 

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts: 2 parts

Candidates write their answers in the answer booklet using pen.

Question 1

Candidates are required to write an essay summarizing and evaluating the key ideas contained in two texts of approximately 100 words each.

1 task (240-280 words)

Questions 2-5

Candidates choose one of four contextualized writing tasks. For questions two to five, candidates may have to write an article, letter, report or review of 280-320 words. From January 2024, optional set text questions are removed.

Duration: about 40 minutes, including 5 minutes’ transfer time

Number of parts: 4 parts

Candidates write their answers in the answer sheet using pencil.

Number of questions: 30 questions

Part 1 (6 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer.)

Three short, unrelated recording lasting approximately 1 minute each, consisting of either monologues or exchanges between interacting speakers. Candidates have to listen to the recordings and answer two multiple-choice questions for each recording. Each question has three options (A, B or C).

Part 2 (9 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer.)

A monologue lasting 3 to 4 minutes. The questions are a series of incomplete sentences. Candidates have to listen to the recording and identify the information needed (single words or noun groups) to fill each gap.

Part 3 (5 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

A recording involving interacting speakers lasting 3 to 4 minutes. Candidates have to listen to the recording and answer a series of multiple-choice questions, each with four options.               

Part 4 (10 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

Five short themed monologues, of approximately 35 seconds each. There are two multiple-matching tasks, each requiring selection of the five correct options from a list of eight. 

Duration: 16 minutes per pair of candidates

Format: 2 examiners - 2-3 candidates

Number of parts: 3 parts

Part 1

A conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (spoken questions).

Part 2

A two-way conversation between the candidates. The candidates are given instructions with written and visual stimuli, which are used in a decision-making task.

Part 3

An individual “long turn” from each candidate followed by a discussion on topics related to the long turns. Each candidate in turn is given a written question to respond to. The interlocutor leads a discussion to explore further the topics of the long turns.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts: 7 parts

Test takers use their keyboard and mouse to select, compose and submit their answers. In the Reading test, test takers can make notes, highlight text and review their answers. 

Number of questions: 53 questions in total

Part 1 (8 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Use of English component; mainly lexical) One short gapped text with eight multiple-choice questions. Candidates must choose one word or phrase from a set of four to fill each gap.

Part 2 (8 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Use of English component; mainly grammatical) One modified open close of a text with eight gaps. Candidates have to identify the right single word which best fits each gap.

Part 3 (8 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Use of English component; affixation) One short text with eight gaps, each of which corresponds to a word. The stems of the missing words are given beside the text and candidates have to change them to form the missing words.

Part 4 (6 questions - up to 2 marks for each correct answer)

(Use of English component) Six discrete items with a ‘lead-in’ sentence followed by a key word and a response sentence with a gap.  Using the key word, candidates have to complete the response sentence in 3–8 words so that it means the same as the ‘lead-in’ sentence.

Part 5 (6 questions - 2 marks for each correct answer)

(Reading component) One long text (700-750 words) with six four-option multiple-choice comprehension questions.

Part 6 (7 questions - 2 marks for each correct answer)

(Reading component) One gapped text from which paragraphs have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text. Candidates must decide from where in the text the paragraphs have been removed.         

Part 7 (10 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

(Reading component) One long text (or several short texts) followed by multiple-matching questions. Candidates must match a prompt to elements in the text. 

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts: 2 parts

Test takers use their keyboard and mouse to select, compose and submit their answers. The Writing test has an automatic word count and they can easily edit their work.

Question 1

Candidates are required to write an essay summarizing and evaluating the key ideas contained in two texts of approximately 100 words each.

1 task (240-280 words)

Questions 2-5

Candidates choose one of four contextualized writing tasks. For questions two to five, candidates may have to write an article, letter, report or review of 280-320 words. From January 2024, optional set text questions are removed.

Duration: about 40 minutes, including 5 minutes’ transfer time

Number of parts: 4 parts

For the Listening test, headphones with volume control help test takers listen comfortably and concentrate to perform the best of their abilities. Test takers use their mouse to select and submit their answers. 

Number of questions: 30 questions

Part 1 (6 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer.)

Three short, unrelated recording lasting approximately 1 minute each, consisting of either monologues or exchanges between interacting speakers. Candidates have to listen to the recordings and answer two multiple-choice questions for each recording. Each question has three options (A, B or C).

Part 2 (9 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer.)

A monologue lasting 3 to 4 minutes. The questions are a series of incomplete sentences. Candidates have to listen to the recording and identify the information needed (single words or noun groups) to fill each gap.

Part 3 (5 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

A recording involving interacting speakers lasting 3 to 4 minutes. Candidates have to listen to the recording and answer a series of multiple-choice questions, each with four options.        

Part 4 (10 questions - 1 mark for each correct answer)

Five short themed monologues, of approximately 35 seconds each. There are two multiple-matching tasks, each requiring selection of the five correct options from a list of eight. 

Duration: 16 minutes per pair of candidates

Format: 2 examiners - 2-3 candidates

Number of parts: 3 parts

The Speaking test is face-to-face, to help test takers develop real world communication skills.

Part 1

A conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (spoken questions).

Part 2

A two-way conversation between the candidates. The candidates are given instructions with written and visual stimuli, which are used in a decision-making task.

Part 3

An individual “long turn” from each candidate followed by a discussion on topics related to the long turns. Each candidate in turn is given a written question to respond to. The interlocutor leads a discussion to explore further the topics of the long turns.