📚 CPE-CAE preparation 📖
Part 1. Background
When I started preparing for CPE I assumed that my English level was somewhere around C1 because that was the level of coursebooks I used and tests I did at university until my graduation. 🎓
All in all, by this time I've been learning English for 20 years and teaching it for 13 years. It means I was quite confident about my level.
However, I didn't have any international certificate that could validate my knowledge. That's why I decided to take an international exam to mark the milestone in my English-learning. 🤩
At first, I believed that CPE (C2 Proficiency Exam) represented an optimal challenge as preparing for it I could improve my skills (from C1 to C2) a bit and then it would be easy-peasy to hit C2-level benchmark for me. Sounds great? Sure, but as it actually turned out later my assumption was wrong 😃
📗 Discover the whole story following #waytoC2 hashtag
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
Part 1. Background
When I started preparing for CPE I assumed that my English level was somewhere around C1 because that was the level of coursebooks I used and tests I did at university until my graduation. 🎓
All in all, by this time I've been learning English for 20 years and teaching it for 13 years. It means I was quite confident about my level.
However, I didn't have any international certificate that could validate my knowledge. That's why I decided to take an international exam to mark the milestone in my English-learning. 🤩
At first, I believed that CPE (C2 Proficiency Exam) represented an optimal challenge as preparing for it I could improve my skills (from C1 to C2) a bit and then it would be easy-peasy to hit C2-level benchmark for me. Sounds great? Sure, but as it actually turned out later my assumption was wrong 😃
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
📚 CPE-CAE preparation 📖
Part 2
⚖️ Why I finally did CAE instead of CPE?
I opted for CAE in the second half of my preparation period because I realized how tough CPE was (in terms of accuracy and strict evaluation) and didn't want to expose myself to additional stress-factors. At this time, I was overwhelmed with the workload and PhD, and figured out that being a perfectionist in everything won't do me any good. 😰
Both CAE and CPE can confirm that you have B2, C1 or C2 level. The difference is that CPE is more complicated and gives you more points (scale score 210-230) while CAE is a little bit less sophisticated (scale score 180-210). 😉
However, no matter what exam you take you can attain C2 Proficiency level and it will be valid for life! (Unlike the TOEFL and IELTS exams). 🤠
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
Part 2
⚖️ Why I finally did CAE instead of CPE?
I opted for CAE in the second half of my preparation period because I realized how tough CPE was (in terms of accuracy and strict evaluation) and didn't want to expose myself to additional stress-factors. At this time, I was overwhelmed with the workload and PhD, and figured out that being a perfectionist in everything won't do me any good. 😰
Both CAE and CPE can confirm that you have B2, C1 or C2 level. The difference is that CPE is more complicated and gives you more points (scale score 210-230) while CAE is a little bit less sophisticated (scale score 180-210). 😉
However, no matter what exam you take you can attain C2 Proficiency level and it will be valid for life! (Unlike the TOEFL and IELTS exams). 🤠
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
📚 CPE-CAE preparation 📖
Part 3
How I prepared? or maybe how
Now it's time to confess that I had a perfect study buddy from the very beginning of the preparation. It was my husband who actually suggested that we take CAE together 👫
I should say it was a good experience for us as a couple. Though we had different backgrounds in English-learning and our approach to studying vary significantly, we shared ideas, coursebooks for self-studying (my favourites were Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency and Objective Proficiency SB and WB), and of course, practiced in pair the speaking part and worked with different tutors. 👨🏫👩🏫
First, my husband contacted a language school that had native-speakers teachers that prepared for CPE exam. The best part of those private lessons was that we worked with experienced professionals, they were young but older than us and meticulously prepared their classes basing on our needs. 📝
At some point in early 2021 we figured out it was time to pull ourselves together and set a date and place for taking the exam. Completing some basic research, we found the most trustful language centre authorized by Cambridge to hold CAE exams in our area and killing two birds with one stone, first, enrolled on an intensive course preparation for CAE and second, selected the date for the exam. 📅
The interesting thing about CAE classes on Zoom in a group of 10+ students was the opportunity to discuss different issues together and actually realize that our language level comparing to other students was sufficient enough to pass the exam. ⏱️
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
Part 3
How I prepared? or maybe how
we prepared? 🤔Now it's time to confess that I had a perfect study buddy from the very beginning of the preparation. It was my husband who actually suggested that we take CAE together 👫
I should say it was a good experience for us as a couple. Though we had different backgrounds in English-learning and our approach to studying vary significantly, we shared ideas, coursebooks for self-studying (my favourites were Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency and Objective Proficiency SB and WB), and of course, practiced in pair the speaking part and worked with different tutors. 👨🏫👩🏫
First, my husband contacted a language school that had native-speakers teachers that prepared for CPE exam. The best part of those private lessons was that we worked with experienced professionals, they were young but older than us and meticulously prepared their classes basing on our needs. 📝
At some point in early 2021 we figured out it was time to pull ourselves together and set a date and place for taking the exam. Completing some basic research, we found the most trustful language centre authorized by Cambridge to hold CAE exams in our area and killing two birds with one stone, first, enrolled on an intensive course preparation for CAE and second, selected the date for the exam. 📅
The interesting thing about CAE classes on Zoom in a group of 10+ students was the opportunity to discuss different issues together and actually realize that our language level comparing to other students was sufficient enough to pass the exam. ⏱️
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
📚 CPE-CAE preparation 📚
Part 4
Final stage
Approximately 2 months before the exam day we realized we didn't need intensive group classes with Compact Coursebooks any more as we have already practiced all types of written tasks (essays, proposals, letters, reports, articles, reviews) and the tutor's feedback was positive. 💯
That's why we opted for another private tutor to have classes in pair with only one goal - practice speaking part as much as possible. Looking back now I can say that was a good choice 😉
The tutor recommended that we included as many topic-related C2 expressions as possible in our speech and writing tasks and controlled it during our classes. 🧑🏫
On our own we revised our notes for all these years of studying and did as many tests as possible. The results were quite satisfying so at the end of 2021 we took our paper-based CAE exam. ✍️
Leave your reactions if this information was useful and you'd like to know how we did at our exam 🤗
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2
Part 4
Final stage
Approximately 2 months before the exam day we realized we didn't need intensive group classes with Compact Coursebooks any more as we have already practiced all types of written tasks (essays, proposals, letters, reports, articles, reviews) and the tutor's feedback was positive. 💯
That's why we opted for another private tutor to have classes in pair with only one goal - practice speaking part as much as possible. Looking back now I can say that was a good choice 😉
The tutor recommended that we included as many topic-related C2 expressions as possible in our speech and writing tasks and controlled it during our classes. 🧑🏫
On our own we revised our notes for all these years of studying and did as many tests as possible. The results were quite satisfying so at the end of 2021 we took our paper-based CAE exam. ✍️
Leave your reactions if this information was useful and you'd like to know how we did at our exam 🤗
#CAE #CPE #waytoC2