C2 Proficiency

Exams and tests
- C2 Proficiency

Our exam names have changed

We've changed the names of our exams to make it easier to understand how to progress from one qualification to the next.

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UK university applications

Find out which Cambridge English exam is best to help you apply to study in the UK.

Exams for UK university

Who accepts C2 Proficiency?

Here are just a few of the leading organisations that will accept your certificate:

University of Cambridge
University of Toronto
Sony
Coca-Cola

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C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is our highest-level qualification – proof that you are a highly competent speaker of English.

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A C2 Proficiency qualification shows the world that you have mastered English to an exceptional level. It proves you can communicate with the fluency and sophistication of a highly competent English speaker.

Preparing for and passing the exam means you have the level of English that’s needed to study or work in a very senior professional or academic environment, for example on a postgraduate or PhD programme.

Key facts

CEFR level:	C2 What's this?
Scale score:	200–230 What’s this?
Test format:	Computer or paper-based
No. of papers:	4
Exam length:	About 4 hours

A C2 Proficiency qualification shows that you can:

study demanding subjects at the highest level, including postgraduate and PhD programmes
negotiate and persuade effectively at senior management level in international business settings
understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing
talk about complex or sensitive issues, and deal confidently with difficult questions.

Reasons to choose C2 Proficiency:

This is our highest-level exam. Passing it proves that you have mastered English to an exceptional level.
Helps you to develop the English skills needed to succeed in very high level academic or professional environments.

C2 Proficiency helped me get into my dream drama school and gave me the confidence to perform in English in front of thousands of people

Alberto Prandini
Actor, director and C2 Proficiency certiﬁcate holder

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