The Cambridge
Proficiency in English examination, or CPE for short, is a qualification in English
as a Foreign Language awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Syndicate (UCLES). It was first introduced in 1913 and has undergone regular updates
since then. A major revision to CPE was carried out in 2000-2001 and the 'revised
CPE' is available from December 2002. Around 50,000 students take the exam each
year.
CPE is one of five examinations in the 'main suite' offered by
UCLES. The level of CPE is described as Upper advanced and is the highest level
available. The table below shows how CPE fits into the UCLES framework:
| | | | |
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) - Level 5
Upper advanced level
Fully operational command of the language at a high
level in most situations, e.g. can argue a case confidently, justifying and making
points persuasively. |
| | | | Certificate
in Advanced English (CPE) - Level 4 |
| | | First
Certificate in English (CPE) - Level 3 |
| | Preliminary
English Test (PET) - Level 2 |
| Key
English Test (KET) - Level 1 |
Adapted from 'CPE Handbook', which
is available to order from Cambridge ESOL.
