Cambridge C1/C2 Q&A
Here are some of the most typical questions I have received from my students over the years, highlighting some of the concerns students have as they prepare for Cambridge Exams.
1. How do I know if I am ready for the exam?
Well, the answer here is very simple. You are ready to take a C1 Advanced or C2 proficiency exams when all your Mock exams results are over 60%. The scoring system of the exam is very tricky: you will not see percentages on your statement of results. You won't even see your points.
So, why do I say 60%? Because this is the threshold that would approximately equal with 180 points in C1 and 200 points in C2. Cambridge English uses a specific scale to convert practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores. There are 1-point and 2-point tasks in the exam, you can find this information on the Mock exam sheet, just calculate your points accordingly and count with a 60% percent threshold. If this is not clear, don’t worry, it does not have to be! Just believe me: if you always score well over 60% on official Cambridge test papers, you will pass your exam!
2. Where can I find a word list for the exam?
Aaa.... what? :-)
Obviously, there is no word list for the exam. Unlike any of your exams at the uni, this is a language exam. Cambridge Exams are assessing your level of English, evaluating whether you can speak fluently and eloquently (and relatively correctly) on a plethora of topics. Cambridge Advanced and Cambridge Proficiency are general exams, their the scope of the topics is not limited to a few common areas. It is not an accountancy exam or an exam on - let's say – agriculture, where you need a more easily defined range of vocabulary. (But even for those, it would be very difficult to produce a concise word list.) Cambridge C1 and C2 are academic exams, you can get a listening or a reading activity on basically any topic under the sun: some of them will be scientific, while others are business or education related. Of course, you will also have to complete tasks on more general topics, such as free time, sports, adventures or travelling, just to name a few. It is practically impossible to produce a word list for such a wide array of topics. But if you wanted to, you would need to download the entire Cambridge Dictionary. :-(
3. Do I have to pass each paper in order to pass the whole examination?
No. Your overall performance is calculated by averaging the scores you achieve in Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Use of English. The weighting of each of the four skills and Use of English is equal.
Digital Exam (formerly Computer Based)
1. What is the difference between the paper-based and the digital exam?
The only difference is the way you take the exam. The content of the exams, the scoring and the final certificate are the same. The Speaking test is the same for the paper-based and digital exam: you will be speaking to an examiner with one or two other candidates.
2. Will I be able to do the exam from home?
No, you will take the exam in an exam centre, at your school, or at another location, depending on local arrangements. Check with your teacher or exam centre.
3. Can I use the internet to look up words or answers?
Of course not! You will not have access to the internet from the test computer.
4. Can I see all the text and questions at the same time for one reading task?
Yes! You may have to move the scroll bar to read the whole text and see all the questions.
5. Can I highlight text? Can I take notes?
Yes and yes! Select the text you want to highlight, right click and choose “Highlight” or “Notes”.
6. Will the words I type be counted automatically?
Yes, the words are counted automatically as you’re typing.
7. Can I edit my writing?
Yes, you can copy and paste, delete and edit what you write at any time during the Writing paper.
8. Is there a spell-checker?
Of course not! It is important to proofread your answer before the end of the test!
9. Can I plan and make notes for the Writing part on paper?
Yes, if you want to. You will be given paper that you can use to plan and make notes for the Writing paper. But why would you do it when you can easily use the keyboard...?
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Reading and Use of English
1. How important is spelling in the Reading and Use of English paper?
All spelling must be correct in this paper. Candidates will not get a mark for answers that are not spelled correctly. American spelling will not be penalised if used consistently.
2. In the open cloze task (Part 2), are words like ‘doesn’t’ and ‘isn’t’ counted as one or two words?
Two words. To count the number of words, you should take the full form into account, e.g. didn’t = did not = two words.
3. How much time do I have to finish each part of the test?
You have 90 minutes to complete the entire paper (8 tasks). There are no recommended timings for parts of the test. The tasks do not have to be dealt with in the same order as they appear on the paper/ on the screen. You may feel more confident with certain text or task types and may want to do these first and faster. Doing some practice tests should help you with timing your answers.
Writing
1. How many tasks do I have to complete?
Two. The question in Part 1 is compulsory (and is always an essay) and you have a choice of questions in Part 2: you always have 3 different options to choose from.
2. How much time do I have?
You have 1 hour 30 minutes to do the paper (2 task).
3. How much do I have to write?
You will need to write 220–260 words for each task.
4. Am I penalised if I write less or more?
No and yes. Officially no. You can write less or more, however, it's practically impossible to prepare a complete writing task in which you are answering all the exam prompts under 220 words. And, I would say, it's almost impossible to hand in an exceptionally good writing piece under 250 words - but this is just my personal opinion based on 25 years of experience.
Can you write more? Yes, most of my students do write a bit more, but as a general rule, I am telling my students not to write more than 300 words. Writing more will almost always result in issues, such as including irrelevant information, having problem with organising your work properly, having issues with paragraphing and maintaining your focus. So don't write more. Just the same way as you have to comply with the task prompts, comply with the word count requirement as well. This is an exam, follow the rules.
Speaking
1. My speaking is much weaker than my writing. Do I have to pass the Speaking test to pass the exam?
No. Your overall performance is calculated by averaging the scores you achieve in Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Use of English. If you perform poorly on one paper, you can compensate by performing well on the other papers.
2. Can I be examined by my own teacher?
No. Examiners go through a rigorous process of training and are not allowed to examine their own students or anybody they know socially.
3. Can I take the test alone?
No. The standard format is two candidates and two examiners. If at the end of the session there is an odd number of candidates, the final group will be a three. Only in exceptional circumstances can a person take the test by themselves.
4. What should I do if I do not understand the instructions?
You should ask the examiner to repeat the instructions. You will not be penalised for this. The examiner will repeat the instructions but, for reasons of fairness, they cannot change the way in which they are worded.
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