Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

The minimum required score to pass the CPE exam is often considered to be around 180, which typically corresponds to a "Pass" level in the Cambridge English Rating scale. While "generally a C or higher" might seem to imply a passing score for many students, it's essential to understand that to achieve that 'C' grade, a more precise numerical score in the range of 180 to 199 is typically required.

The actual passing threshold is often set at a specific score, making it evident that a more direct numerical figure would provide clarity and accuracy in informing students about what they need to achieve. Therefore, a numerical score indicates clear expectations necessary for passing, rather than a qualitative assessment.

In this case, stating a score of 160 or higher, 175 or higher, or 200 or higher doesn't precisely reflect the critical benchmark needed to successfully pass the exam based on standard grading metrics. Hence, choosing "generally a C or higher" does not give the most accurate or helpful understanding of what is necessary to pass the CPE exam.