Cambridge English Exam GuideEvery exam's format, scoring, and task types were checked against each exam board's own official documentation in July 2026.

Cambridge English Qualifications — FCE · CAE · CPE

Score range

Cambridge Scale 80–230

Duration

~3–4h (varies by level)

Format

B2 First (FCE) · C1 Advanced (CAE) · C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Sections

4

Format

Test format & sections

Reading & Use of English

75–90m · 56 questions

Part 1: MCQ cloze — vocabulary (8q)Part 2: Open cloze — grammar only (8q)Part 3: Word formation — prefix / suffix (8q)Part 4: Key Word Transformation — rewrite in 2–5 words (6q)Part 5: MCQ — long reading passage (6q)Part 6: Gapped text — removed paragraphs (6q)Part 7: Multiple matching (10q)

Parts 1–4 test grammar and vocabulary precision. Part 4 (Key Word Transformation) is notoriously difficult — rewrite a sentence using a given word without changing the meaning, in exactly 2–5 words. Parts 5–7 test detailed comprehension and text structure.

Writing

80m · 2 tasks

Part 1: Discursive essay using 2 provided points (compulsory)Part 2: Article, letter/email, report, review, or story (choose 1 from 3)

Both tasks: 220–260 words, ~40 min each. Marked on Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, Language. Part 2 genres vary by exam level — B2 may include story; C2 may include proposal.

Listening

40m · 30 questions

Part 1: MCQ — 8 short unconnected extracts (8q)Part 2: Sentence completion — long monologue (10q)Part 3: Multiple Matching — 5 short monologues (5q)Part 4: MCQ — long interview or discussion (7q)

Each recording plays TWICE. Part 2 sentence completion requires exact spelling. Part 3 Multiple Matching: match 5 speakers to options from a shared list with distractors — one of the hardest listening tasks in any English test.

Speaking

14–28m · 4 parts (usually with a partner)

Part 1: Interview — personal information and opinionsPart 2: Individual long turn — describe and compare photos (1m + 30s comment)Part 3: Collaborative task — discuss visual prompts with your partner (3m)Part 4: Extended discussion expanding on Part 3 theme

Usually taken with another candidate. Part 3: you and your partner discuss together — the examiner observes. Scored on Grammar, Vocabulary, Discourse Management, Pronunciation, Interactive Communication.

Scoring

How Cambridge English is scored

All papers contribute equally; raw marks converted to Cambridge Scale. A candidate who misses the pass threshold can receive a certificate one level below (e.g., a CAE candidate scoring 160–179 gets a B2 First certificate).

Score levels

200–230
C2 Proficiency — pass / distinction
180–199
C1 Advanced — pass / distinction
160–179
B2 First — pass / distinction
142–159
B1 — certificate at lower level
< 142
Fail — no certificate issued

Typical requirements

C2 (200+)Highest-level academic / elite professional settings
C1 (180+)Most UK universities, professional registration bodies
B2 (160+)European universities, language schools, many employers
Never expiresUnlike IELTS/TOEFL — Cambridge certificates are valid for life
FAQ

Cambridge English frequently asked questions

Do Cambridge English certificates expire?

No — Cambridge English qualifications (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) do not have an expiry date. Once earned, the certificate is valid for life. This is a significant advantage over IELTS and TOEFL, which expire after 2 years.

What are the main Cambridge English exams?

The general English suite: B2 First (FCE) for upper-intermediate, C1 Advanced (CAE) for advanced learners, C2 Proficiency (CPE) for near-native level. There is also B1 Preliminary (PET) and A2 Key (KET) for lower levels, and Cambridge English: Business for professional contexts.

How are Cambridge exams scored?

Scores are reported on the Cambridge English Scale (80–230). Each exam corresponds to a CEFR level range — e.g., C1 Advanced covers B2 to C2. A score of 180+ in the C1 Advanced earns at least a C1 certificate (Grade C = 180–192, Grade B = 193–199); only Grade A (200+) is high enough to certify C2.

How are the Speaking and Writing components assessed?

Writing is marked by trained human examiners (not AI). Speaking is assessed face-to-face by two examiners — an interlocutor and an assessor. You are typically examined alongside one other candidate.

Are Cambridge certificates accepted for university admission?

Yes — C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are widely accepted by universities in the UK, Europe, and beyond. Many UK universities accept a grade C or above in C1 Advanced as equivalent to IELTS 6.5. Always check the specific institution's requirements.