CPE is for learners who have achieved a high level of language skills and are able to function effectively in almost any English-speaking context. Successful students at this level are approaching a standard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker. The exam also requires an appropriate level of educational and personal maturity.

CPE is an invaluable qualification for anyone who wants to work or study abroad, or to develop a career which requires language skills, including business, medicine, engineering and many other professions. CPE certificates are recognized by institutions of higher education in many countries - including almost all universities in the United Kingdom and a rapidly growing number in the USA. Employers throughout the world also recognize CPE.

Studying for CPE helps learners to improve their language skills and to learn to use them in a wide range of contexts. Because many aspects of the exams are based on realistic tasks, gaining the CPE certificate demonstrates that learners have progressed beyond a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar to actually using the language.

CAE has five papers
Reading | Writing | Use of English | Listening | Speaking

Each of the written papers is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine students face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

Reading (Paper 1) 1 hour 30 minutes
The Reading paper assesses students’ ability to read and understand texts taken from a wide range of sources, including fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines. students are expected to understand the meaning of written English at word, phrase, sentence, paragraph and whole text level. It includes understanding of text content, organization and structure, and the development of ideas, opinions and attitudes.

Writing (Paper 2) 2 hours
The Writing paper assesses students’ 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, students are expected to demonstrate their 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 students’ 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. students are provided with picture and written stimulus.