C2 Proficiency 2024 (CPE Exam): Dates, Registrations, Fees in India

C2 Proficiency 2024 (CPE Exam): Dates, Registrations, Fees in India

Edited By Sareena Kaur Sethi | Updated on Jun 04, 2024 10:50 AM IST

The Cambridge English Proficiency exam, which was earlier known as the CPE is the highest-level of English level test conducted by the Cambridge English exam suite. C2 proficiency is awarded CPE exam.

A student who gets the Cambridge C2 certificate of proficiency is proof of the fact that the student has gained mastery of the English language to a near native level and is eligible to study or work in any type of English language setting.

A student can now prepare with the help of C2 proficiency test book as well as PDFs. Being thorough with the syllabus and exam pattern is a must while preparing for C2 proficiency examination. Moreover, the C2 proficiency results can be availed on the official Cambridge website through which the candidate registered themselves initially. A basic login with the help of assigned credentials will be sufficient to access personal data and result.

C2 Proficiency 2024 (CPE Exam): Dates, Registrations, Fees in India
C2 Proficiency 2024 (CPE Exam): Dates, Registrations, Fees in India

The English level test C2 is one of the English proficiency tests to study abroad. The C2 proficiency exam is the highest level of general English language exam conducted by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

Cambridge proficiency exam is conducted at over 2700 centers all over the world on dates as per a fixed schedule. The test is a pass/fail test with those who pass the exam getting a certificate that is valid for a lifetime. The Cambridge English proficiency exam can be taken either as a paper-based or computer-based test.

The C2 proficiency exam time duration of both the versions is 236 minutes in total. Read further to know about the eligibility criteria, application process, syllabus and the exam pattern of the Cambridge English proficiency exam.

Eligibility for the C2 proficiency exam 2024

Though there is no specific eligibility criteria to take the Cambridge proficiency exam in terms of age or qualification, an individual applying for the C2 exam must be able to understand everything that he hears or reads in English. The candidate must be able to use and understand the English language whether it is used in a formal, academic or a colloquial setting.

Who Should Take CPE Exam?

The C2 proficiency test is for employed individuals who want to show their employers that they are capable of using the English language at a senior management level.C2 exam is for students who wish to study a postgraduate or PhD course in a university where English is the medium of instruction.

If you pass Cambridge proficiency test, it can have a positive impact on your visa application or immigration application to English speaking countries. The C2 proficiency is proof of your English proficiency and a good score will improve your chances of getting a visa whether for work, study, or travel.

Syllabus of the Cambridge English proficiency exam

The C2 proficiency exam practice becomes an essential to familiarize the candidate with the text pattern and syllabus. The preparation can be done with the help many resources with the most significant being C2 proficiency book pdfs and sample papers. The syllabus of the C2 proficiency exam consists of four parts:

  • Reading

  • Writing

  • Listening

  • Speaking

Part 1-Reading: The reading section of the C2 Proficiency test is intended to test the reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar skills of the candidate. This part consists of seven sections where a total of 53 questions such as matching questions, fill in the blanks and multiple choice questions are included. The candidate has to read passages taken from books, newspapers, magazines, and the internet.

Part 2-Writing: This part in C2 exam tests the writing ability of the candidate. The writing section in C2 English test consists of two parts in which the candidate has to write essays, reports and reviews.

Part 3- Listening: In this section of the C2 proficiency test, the student will have to hear recordings in which native English is used and answer questions based on what he heard. The recordings are played twice. The recording will usually have a variety of English accents. The recordings are taken from radio, television etc and contain authentic speech. There will be a total of 30 questions in this section which is divided into four subsections.

Part 4 -Speaking: This section in English C2 test assesses the speaking skills of the students. The speaking section of the C2 proficiency test requires students to take it in pairs and they may be asked to take this test on a different day based on the schedule of the test center. The speaking test consists of three parts, in one part the student will speak with the examiner and in the other two parts, he will speak with the other student taking the test.

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Exam pattern of the C2 proficiency test 2024

As mentioned earlier, the Cambridge Proficiency test consists of four parts. The candidate will complete the sections on reading and use of English, writing and listening in a single day while he has to give the speaking section exam on a different day. The table below explains the exam pattern:

Cambridge proficiency exam

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Duration

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour 30 minutes

40 minutes

16 minutes for a pair of candidates

Percentage of marks

40%

20%

20%

20%

C2 proficiency application process and cost

Candidates wishing to take the C2 proficiency test can register at the nearest certified center and during registration decide on the date to take the test since the C2 proficiency exam is held throughout the year.

The cost or fee of Cambridge proficiency test is dependent on the format of the exam as well as the center that the student has opted for.

Cambridge proficiency test score

The overall performance of the candidate is calculated by taking the average of scores in all the four sections of the test-reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The maximum score possible in Cambridge proficiency exam is 230. Candidates scoring between 220 to 230 points will receive Grade A while those who score between 213 to 219 will receive Grade B and those with a score between 200 and 212 will receive Grade C.

Those with Grade A, B, or C will receive a Level C2 certificate while those with a score between 180 and 199 will receive a C1 certificate. Also those with a score below 180 will only receive a score report while others will receive the Cambridge C2 proficiency certificate, which is equivalent to C2 level in English on the CEFR.

Preparation tips for the C2 proficiency test

  • Read as much as you can, the more you read, the more familiar you will become with new English words and phrases.

  • Watch movies, listen to music, podcasts, debates and discussions, this will help improve your verbal communication skills in English.

  • Improve your proficiency in English grammar by downloading and taking the Cambridge English test PDF.

  • Practice writing essays, reports, letters etc. Get familiar with their format.

  • Access the free materials Cambridge English test papers such as sample papers, worksheets, vocabulary lists and exam guides for you to download from our website. We also work in collaboration with Cambridge University Press to develop a range of official courses, support materials and practice tests which are available for you to buy.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I have to score passing marks in each section of the Cambridge proficiency test in order to pass the test?

No, you are not required to pass each section of the exam because your total score will be the average of your scores in all the sections of the exam.

2. Is there negative marking in the C2 proficiency test?

No, there is no negative marking in the C2 proficiency test. You should attempt all the questions.

3. How long is the C2 proficiency test score valid?

If your score is above 200, the test score is valid for a lifetime and has no expiration date. However it is the discretion of institutes recognising the exam scores to accept it or not. Sometimes they may ask you to provide evidence of maintenance or improvement in your skill levels in the English language.

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