Exam
The C2 Proficiency Diploma - in brief
How does it benefit you?
Academic access:
It is recognized by many universities as proof of excellent English skills and can therefore increase your chances of admission.
Personal reasons:
It promotes language proficiency and self-confidence, and helps in dealing with everyday language situations such as discussions.
Professional benefits:
Employers such as international and communications companies highly value the certificate.
What is it?
The C2 proficiency diploma is a lifelong certificate that confirms language proficiency at a near native speaker level.
Reading / Use of English
1h 30min
7 parts
.png)
40%
Listening
≈40min
4 parts
20%
The exam is divided into four categories, each testing all aspects of language proficiency. Here you can see the duration, number of parts, and weighting for the grade:
Exam structure
(C2 Proficiency exam format | Cambridge English, o. J.)
Writing
1h 30min
2 parts
20%
Speaking
≈16min
3 parts
20%
When and where
The Cambridge exams in Switzerland are mostly administered by Swiss Exams, with locations throughout Switzerland. Visit their website as early as possible and check the available dates at each location. Before booking an exam date, decide whether you want to take the exam computer-based or written. I recommend the computer-based option, as it takes some of the burden off your shoulders, especially during the written portion of the exam.
FAQ
Here you will find frequently asked questions, answered by an exam expert.
-
They freeze and do not produce any response (instead of reacting naturally to a difficult question by saying something like hmm, hard to say/that's something I've never really thought about..) The nervous tension created by silence during a speaking test can lead to a poorer performance by the candidate(s)
-
You can still pass the C2 Proficiency exam if you do less well in one paper, but your overall score needs to be a pass. If your overall performance is not a pass, you will not receive the C2 certificate, but your statement of results will show that you demonstrated abilities at C1 level.
Immersing yourself in English language and watching or listening to newscasts and podcasts about topics related to technology, society, global communication, science, current developments and concerns, abstract topics such as speculating about the future is important, as such topics can appear in the C2 papers, including the speaking test.
Do NOT spend too long searching for answers in your head (in the Listening paper this can lead to you no longer actively listening and therefore missing information needed to answer the following questions) and ensure you set aside time to read your answers or writing at the end of the written papers. For the Speaking test, the best way to manage time is to use a timer while practising by yourself/with others (to ensure you really have spoken for about 2 minutes for example)
As examiners we are assessing the sample of language produced. However, a positive attitude towards the examiners and other candidates helps in all situations in life.
Candidates who perform exceptionally well across the C2 Proficiency exam have demonstrated the ability to not only understand finer nuances in language, but also to express more complex ideas clearly using a very rich source of vocabulary and more complex grammar. They have developed their critical thinking and communicate effectively, coherently and with little hesitation even when confronted with unexpected questions or topics. They demonstrate their mastery of the language in all papers.
Ample reading and listening, including topics related to our changing world, past papers also provide plenty of revision of grammar and vocabulary and help students gain confidence.
Immerse yourself in English (include more complex documentaries, films, podcasts), use every opportunity to practise using language and familiarise yourself with all the exam type tasks by trying past papers.
Avid, eager learners that have also discovered how they learn best usually do well. People who expect the unexpected and are daring enough to express their own views regardless of the setting do well in speaking tests but what candidates need most is the ability to remain calm throughout exams.