Cambridge C2 Proficiency
The highest Cambridge English exam: four papers, about four hours, and a certificate that does not expire.
C2 Proficiency (formerly known as CPE) shows that you can use English at an exceptionally high level, close to an educated native speaker. It is aimed at people who want to study at the highest academic level, work in senior roles or teach English.
C2 Proficiency at a Glance
Four papers, combined into one overall score.
| Paper | Time | Parts | Share of the total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 hour 30 minutes | 7 parts, 53 questions | 40% |
| Writing | 1 hour 30 minutes | 2 texts: 240–280 and 280–320 words | 20% |
| Listening | about 40 minutes | 4 parts, 30 questions | 20% |
| Speaking | 16 minutes (in pairs) | 3 parts | 20% |
The Four Papers
What each part asks you to do.
Reading and Use of English
- Multiple-choice cloze: choose the right word or phrase for each gap.
- Open cloze: write the missing word (mainly grammar).
- Word formation: change a given word to fit the gap.
- Key word transformations: rewrite a sentence in 3–8 words using a given word.
- Multiple choice: detailed questions on a long text.
- Gapped text: put missing paragraphs back into a text.
- Multiple matching: match questions to one or more texts.
Writing
- Essay (compulsory): summarise and evaluate the ideas in two short texts and give your own view (240–280 words).
- Your choice of three: an article, a letter, a report or a review (280–320 words).
Listening
- Multiple choice: three short recordings, two questions each.
- Sentence completion: fill in one to three words from a talk of 3–4 minutes.
- Multiple choice: a conversation of 3–4 minutes.
- Multiple matching: five short monologues, two tasks at the same time.
Speaking
- Interview: questions about yourself, your opinions and possibilities.
- Collaborative task: talk about pictures, then make a decision with your partner.
- Long turn and discussion: speak alone for two minutes on a question card, then discuss the topic together.
Scores and Grades
Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale. Grades A, B and C earn a C2 certificate; a result just below C2 still earns a C1 certificate.
| Grade | Cambridge English Scale | Certificate level |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | 220–230 | C2 |
| Grade B | 213–219 | C2 |
| Grade C | 200–212 | C2 |
| Level C1 | 180–199 | C1 |
Scores from 162 to 179 are shown on the Statement of Results, but no certificate is awarded.
What Changes from C1 to C2?
A similar exam, but every task asks for more precision, range and control.
| C1 Advanced | C2 Proficiency | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 8 parts, 56 questions | 7 parts, 53 questions (no cross-text matching) |
| Key word transformations | 3–6 words | 3–8 words |
| Writing length | 220–260 words per text | 240–280 and 280–320 words |
| Essay task | Discuss points from one input text | Summarise and evaluate two texts |
| Speaking | 15 minutes, 4 parts | 16 minutes, 3 parts, with a two-minute long turn |
| What examiners look for | Flexible, well-organised English | Natural, precise English with idiomatic and less common language |
Use of English Taster
Six questions in the style of Reading and Use of English, Parts 1 to 4.
Try it
Parts 1 to 3: one word. Part 4: three to eight words, including the word in capitals, without changing it.
I ______ the cancellation of the meeting.
No ______ the phone rang.
Show the answer key
- half-hearted: without real effort or feeling. "Half-baked" describes a plan that is not well thought out.
- only: "Not only … but also" with inversion (did she win).
- inconsistencies: negative prefix in-, plural noun after "full of".
- impracticality: negative prefix im-, and a noun after "its sheer".
- was (kept) in the dark about: "to be in the dark about something" means not to know about it.
- sooner had he arrived than: "No sooner … than" with inversion of the past perfect.
How to Prepare
At C2, small details decide the grade: idioms, collocations and style.
✓Five Steps
- Check your level A strong C1 Advanced result (grade A or B) is a good sign that you are ready for C2.
- Read like a native speaker Literature, long-form journalism and academic texts build the range and reading speed you need.
- Collect idioms and collocations Parts 1 and 4 test fixed phrases such as "in the dark about" and "a half-hearted attempt".
- Practise summarising The essay asks you to summarise two texts in your own words before you evaluate them.
- Speak for two minutes Practise the long turn: a clear opening, developed points and a short conclusion.
Sources: Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency format · Cambridge English: C2 Statement of Results
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