How to prepare for the C2 Proficiency on your own

When you reach an advanced level of English, you might feel as though there is no way to improve further. But this is not the case! If you want to achieve further English proficiency, many learners choose to take the C2 Proficiency exam. Read this article to learn more about the exam and how to prepare for it on your own. 

The C2 Proficiency used to be known as Cambridge English: Proficiency, or CPE. It is the highest level of Cambridge English Qualification, equivalent to a Level 2 on the CEFR. Attaining the C2 Proficiency proves that you are a highly competent English speaker and can confidently communicate in any situation, no matter what the context is. The certification is recognized by universities, employers, and governments around the world.  

Achieving a C2 proficiency level can open many doors in your professional and personal life. For example, after obtaining the C2 certificate, you can work as an English teacher, or study for a Masters or PhD in universities around the world. This is a significant advantage if you want to work abroad in the future. 

You can take the C2 Proficiency in-person as a written paper, or online. The exam takes just under four hours. There are four parts to the exam, each containing specific exercises to test your command of the English language. These four sections are: 

• Reading and Use of English (1.5 hours). This tests your reading comprehension of different types of text, vocabulary, and grammar.  

• Writing (1.5 hours). You must create two different pieces of writing, an essay in Part 1 and a choice of four different texts in Part 2.  

• Listening (40 minutes). This listening section will test your aural comprehension of different English scenarios, such as conversations, lectures, or broadcasts.  

• Speaking (16 minutes). In the speaking section, you will join one or two other candidates to be tested on your conversation skills and oral expression in English. 

Practicing all four parts of the exam regularly is the best way to ensure you pass. After you have done the exam, you will receive a Statement of Results. This will show your score for each section, your average score and overall performance on the exam, your grade, and your CEFR level.  

We will be honest, preparing for the C2 Proficiency on your own is a significant challenge. But we know you can do it. Here are some tips for how to prepare for all the different parts of the C2. 

Grammar is a key part of the C2 Proficiency – there is a lot of it, and you are not allowed to make many mistakes in the exam. Make sure you practice grammar rules and tenses every day to keep your skills sharp.  

There are lots of online resources to help you with the C2. We offer online C2 English courses to help you reach the maximum level of English. You can also find an exam model, study materials, and test exercises on The Cambridge English website. This should help you get used to the format of the exam and what sort of questions you will be asked.

A great way to practice your English listening proficiency is to watch films and TV series in English. It is fine to use subtitles at first but be brave and try listening without subtitles to really test your skills. If films are not your thing, listen to the radio or some podcasts in English. 

To prepare you for the reading part of the C2, there are textbooks specifically for practicing the C2 Proficiency. Or you could read your favorite novels in English. Try to vary the content as much as you can: academic journals, books, magazines, newspapers, and online articles are all valuable resources. Avoid using a dictionary and trust your English knowledge. 

Practicing the speaking part of the exam might be trickier, especially on your own. If you do not have a native-speaking friend, you can practice reading aloud to yourself to improve your confidence. Even better, record yourself copying a YouTube video or TV show and listen back to it afterwards to identify areas for improvement.  

Our final tip is to practice writing in English. Try using new vocabulary and phrases each time and experiment with the content. You could write a summary of your day, describe your favorite book, or even create your own poem. Remember that there are two parts to the writing section of the exam that will require different writing styles.  

We hope this article will help you prepare for the C2 Proficiency on your own. Remember that EF English Live are always here to help you improve your English. Good luck!