C2 Proficiency

Cambridge's highest-level qualification: proof of English at an exceptional, near-native level.

PaperDigital

Exam fee

400,000원

The fee is subject to the operator's notice when the exam date and venue are confirmed.

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Registration deadline

6 weeks before the exam

Once the schedule and venue are confirmed 8 weeks before the exam, a payment notice is sent.

Exam format

Paper, Digital

The format may vary by session and can be chosen when you apply.

Apply for group testing How to register

Who it's for

Who is this exam for?

Applicants to master's and doctoral programmes at highly selective universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League institutions; academic researchers; senior managers and executives at international companies; and professionals in diplomacy, law, interpreting and translation where negotiation and persuasion are central. In Korea, typical candidates include English teachers and professors, interpreting and translation graduate-school applicants, and doctoral applicants.

Learners at CEFR C2

Can use English at a level close to a native speaker. Can study and research the most demanding academic subjects, including at doctoral level, understand subtle nuances in complex texts, and express ideas in precise, fluent and sophisticated writing. This is the highest CEFR level.

Test format

Test format by section

The number of parts, questions, and timing are identical for Paper and Digital.

Reading and Use of English (1 hour 30 min)

7 parts, 53 questionsMultiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, key word transformation, reading multiple choice, gapped text with seven questions, and multiple matching
Text lengthAbout 3,000 words of dense text in total

Writing (1 hour 30 min)

Part 1One compulsory essay (240–280 words)
Part 2Choose one of three options: an article, letter, report or review (280–320 words)

Listening (about 40 min)

4 parts, 30 questionsMultiple choice, sentence completion and multiple matching

Speaking (pairs: 16 min / groups of three: 24 min)

Part 1 (2 min)Interview
Part 2 (4 min)Collaborative task
Part 3 (10 min)Long turn and discussion

Paper vs Digital

Two ways to take it

This exam can be taken in two formats: Paper-based and Digital. The structure, scores, and certificate are identical; only the delivery differs.

Structure, scores, certificate: Paper and Digital run with the same number of parts, questions, timing, and marking criteria, and the certificate issued is identical.
Paper-based: You receive paper question and answer sheets and write with a pen. Extra time is given to transfer answers (e.g. 6 minutes for Listening).
Digital: You take it on a computer screen by typing and clicking. As there's no answer-transfer step, some sections are slightly shorter. Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner regardless of format.
Results: Digital tends to have faster Cambridge processing, so results are usually released earlier than Paper (the exact schedule per session takes precedence).

Recognition

Recognition / use

The highest Cambridge English qualification. It is accepted by leading English-speaking graduate schools, research institutions, international organisations and multinational employers as evidence of near-native English for executive-level roles. In Korea, it is used for doctoral applications, international academic publishing, and evidence for professional interpreters and translators.

Preparation

How to prepare

Objective Proficiency is the standard official coursebook. At C2, precision and sophistication of vocabulary and expression are central to scoring, so extensive reading of books and academic sources, followed by analysis of examiner feedback after mock tests, is essential. Free materials include a Paper sample test, Digital samples for Listening, Reading and Use of English, and Writing with answer keys, plus Write & Improve.

Scoring and grade cutoffs in detail

Score range

180–230 points (Cambridge English Scale)

Pass criteria

200 points or above: pass (Grade C / C2 certificate)

Scores of 180–199 are reported at level C1.

Grade cutoffs