language exam

CPE (Cambridge Proficiency (C2)) study guides

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) certifies near-native mastery of English — the highest CEFR level.

Topics (10)

Reading Part 1 — Text Transformations (Cross-Text Multiple Matching)
10% of test
Reading four short texts on a related topic and answering questions about agreement, disagreement, and viewpoints across texts.
Reading Part 2 — Gapped Text
10% of test
Rebuilding a longer text by inserting 7 removed paragraphs, testing advanced understanding of textual cohesion.
Reading Part 3 — Multiple Choice
10% of test
Answering 6 four-option multiple-choice questions on a long, complex text testing detailed comprehension and inference.
Use of English Part 4 — Key Word Transformation
12% of test
Rewriting sentences using a key word at C2 level, testing advanced grammar structures and idiomatic English.
Use of English Part 5 — Multiple-Choice Cloze
8% of test
Selecting from four options to fill 8 gaps in a text, testing C2 vocabulary, idioms, and fixed phrases.
Writing — Essay (Part 1)
12% of test
Writing a 240–280 word argumentative essay demonstrating C2-level sophistication in vocabulary, grammar, and reasoning.
Writing — Register Task (Part 2)
10% of test
Producing a highly effective piece of writing in a specific genre and register at C2 level.
Listening Parts 1 & 2 — Multiple Choice & Sentence Completion
10% of test
Three-option multiple choice on four short extracts and sentence completion from a long monologue at C2 level.
Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Interview & Extended Monologue
8% of test
Multiple-choice comprehension on an extended interview and a long monologue at C2 level.
Speaking — All Parts at C2
10% of test
The complete CPE Speaking test: interview, long turn, and collaborative discussion at native-speaker-equivalent fluency.

Locale-specific guides

Every CPE topic is published with locale-specific framing for candidates testing in different countries. Pass-rate stats, regulatory context, and study tips all change by locale.

United StatesAmerican candidates
United KingdomBritish candidates
IndiaIndian candidates
PhilippinesFilipino candidates
NigeriaNigerian candidates

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Topics (10)

Reading Part 1 — Text Transformations (Cross-Text Multiple Matching)

Reading Part 2 — Gapped Text

Reading Part 3 — Multiple Choice

Use of English Part 4 — Key Word Transformation

Use of English Part 5 — Multiple-Choice Cloze

Writing — Essay (Part 1)

Writing — Register Task (Part 2)

Listening Parts 1 & 2 — Multiple Choice & Sentence Completion

Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Interview & Extended Monologue

Speaking — All Parts at C2

Locale-specific guides

Practice Cambridge CPE (C2) free with Koydo.