All mock exams

Mock Exam 1 · Full CPE simulation

CPE Mock Exam 1 — Mid-course Diagnostic

A full Cambridge C2 Proficiency simulation in real paper order. Sit it after Review Lab 5 or 6 to see which paper still drains time and which is already stable. Teacher Mode unlocks the full mark scheme and a per-paper band reading.

Best sat around Module 5–6 once Writing Parts 1–2 have been practised at least twice.

Paper 1 · Reading & Use of English

90 min · 56 items

Paper 2 · Writing

90 min · 2 tasks
Cambridge CPE · Writing Part 1Writing · Part 1 — Essay (compulsory)
ExaminerYou must answer this question. Write your essay in 220–260 words in an appropriate style.
Essay220–260 words

Your class has watched a panel discussion on the future of work. The discussion focused on the three changes below. You have made the notes opposite. Write an essay discussing TWO of the three changes in your notes. You should explain which change you think will have the greater impact on workers, and provide reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed during the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible. Changes in the workplace: • the rise of remote and hybrid working • the spread of artificial intelligence in routine jobs • the move to a shorter working week Some opinions expressed in the discussion: 'Remote work has redrawn the boundary between home and office.' 'AI will quietly eat the predictable parts of every profession.' 'A four-day week is the only honest response to burnout.'

Write your essay in 220–260 words.

Part 2 — Choose ONE of the following three tasks.
Cambridge CPE · Writing Part 2Writing · Part 2 — Letter of application — Festival volunteer coordinator
ExaminerWrite your letter of application in 220–260 words in an appropriate style.
Letter220–260 words

You have seen the following advertisement in an international magazine: 'EuroLab Summer Festival is recruiting volunteer coordinators. Successful applicants will have strong intercultural communication skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and previous experience of leading a small team.' Write a letter of application to the Festival Director explaining why you are suitable for the role. Refer to your previous experience, the qualities that make you a good fit and what you hope to gain from the role.

Write your letter in 220–260 words.

Cambridge CPE · Writing Part 2Writing · Part 2 — Review — A streaming service for language learners
ExaminerWrite your review in 220–260 words in an appropriate style.
Review220–260 words

An international website has asked readers to review a streaming service that they have used to learn or improve a foreign language. Write a review of a streaming service or platform you have used. Describe the platform briefly, comment on its strengths and weaknesses for language learners, and say who you would recommend it to and why.

Write your review in 220–260 words.

Cambridge CPE · Writing Part 2Writing · Part 2 — Report — A new green space for the city
ExaminerWrite your report in 220–260 words in an appropriate style.
Report220–260 words

The city council in the town where you study has asked international students to submit short reports on a piece of urban land that could be turned into a new green space. Write a report describing the chosen location, the kind of green space you would propose, the benefits for residents and any drawbacks the council should consider.

Write your report in 220–260 words.

Paper 3 · Listening

≈ 40 min · 30 items

Paper 4 · Speaking

15 min · 2 candidates

Part 1 — Interview (2 min)

  • Where are you from, and what do you like most about living there?
  • Tell me about something you've started learning recently.
  • How important is it for you to spend time outdoors? Why?
Cambridge CPE · Speaking Part 2 — Candidate A · Different reasons people workSpeaking · Part 2 (Long turn)
ExaminerI'm going to give you two photographs. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say…
Two colleagues collaborating around a laptop in a bright open-plan office.
A
An independent craftsperson working alone at a focused workbench.
B

Candidate A · Long turn

Compare these two photographs and say what the people might find rewarding about working in each of these ways, and what the difficulties might be.

1 min

Candidate B · Short response (≈30 sec)

Candidate B: Which of these working situations would you find more motivating, and why?

Cambridge CPE · Speaking Part 2 — Candidate B · How people spend their study timeSpeaking · Part 2 (Long turn)
ExaminerI'm going to give you two photographs. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say…
A group of students working together around a table in a library.
A
A student studying alone with headphones in a quiet personal study space.
B

Candidate A · Long turn

Compare these two photographs and say why the people might have chosen to study in these different ways, and how effective each approach might be.

1 min

Candidate B · Short response (≈30 sec)

Candidate A: Do you generally prefer studying with others or alone? Why?

Cambridge CPE · Speaking Part 3 — Helping young people prepare for the world of workSpeaking · Part 3 (Collaborative task)
ExaminerI'd like you to talk about something together for about two minutes. Here are some ideas to discuss.

Central question

Here are some things schools could do to help young people prepare for the world of work. Talk together for about two minutes about how useful each of these could be: • visits from professionals in different jobs • short work-experience placements • lessons on managing money • training in digital skills • mock interview practice

  • Now you have about a minute to decide which TWO would be the most useful for most young people.

Decision stage · final minute

Encourage candidates to defend their two choices with reasons, not just preferences.

Cambridge CPE · Speaking Part 4Speaking · Part 4 (Discussion)
ExaminerWe've been talking about… I'd like to discuss with you some further questions related to this topic.

Topic

Helping young people prepare for the world of work

  1. Some people say schools should focus on academic subjects and leave employment skills to employers. What do you think?
  2. How much responsibility should governments take for preparing young people for work?
  3. Has technology made it easier or harder for young people to find work? Why?
  4. Do you think the kind of work people do shapes the kind of person they become?
  5. How important is it for young people to know what they want to do as a career before they finish school?

Mock Exam 1 complete

Go through your answers with your teacher. Move to the next mock or the Exit Test when you're ready.