Practical Advice from an Expert Cambridge Examiner

I had the chance to get a few practical tips from Thomas, an expert Cambridge examiner with over 20 years of experience, for those of you preparing for CAE/CPE.

What are the top 3 test-day tips you’d give to students?

Thomas: I have a rule of three Cs. Confidence, Compactness & Check. Trust in your preparation and don't doubt your abilities. You've worked hard for this! Compactness relates to being concise and avoiding repetition; be interesting for the examiner. Last and certainly not least is to ALWAYS check your work and read the question. This simple step can make a real difference and is one of the most common pieces of advice teachers give for a reason.

Are there common mistakes you see repeatedly that are easy to fix with practice?

Thomas: Besides the last point in Q1 one of the most persistent issues is fossilised errors – mistakes become habitual because they were never corrected or students hear others use poor usage and copy. Having worked in this profession for twenty years, and as a language learner myself, I can attest to the importance of timely correction and revision.

Are there any easy wins that you see repeatedly overlooked?

Thomas: Think about what is likely to come up in an exam situation. Preempting questions will give you the head start you need to start strong. It's obvious you will be asked to express your preference/dislike for certain things so brainstorm some handy advanced idioms (such as "It's not my cup of tea" or "I'm into.../I'd go for..."). Also, learning a chunk of body idioms is highly effective since they work well across many different topics.

For writing tasks, what separates a “B2" response from a "C1” response?

Thomas: Using sophisticated language with a wide range of discourse and grammar is what differentiates a "B2" response from "C1". If you can develop ideas effectively without relying heavily on common vocabulary then you're halfway there. With the right practice and feedback, it's very possible to make that step up.

If a student feels stuck during the speaking section, what's the best thing to do?

Thomas: This usually comes down to practise and familiarity with the exam format. Nerves are often the biggest challenge, which is why I spend a lot of time helping my students simulate 'real thing'. Learning and practising useful hesitation devices (such as "That's an interesting question" or "Let me think for a moment") can also give them the breathing space they need to regain confidence and keep speaking naturally.

You can connect with Thomas here to get extra guidance with your exam prep.