Frequently Asked Questions - Writing

Are candidates penalised for writing over-long or over-short answers?Candidates are not penalised simply for writing more or fewer than the stipulated number of words. An exception to this is made where answers have fewer than 60 words — these are awarded a score of Band 0.


However, as length of answer is a factor of task achievement, candidates would be penalised for over-long answers where the extra material is considered to be irrelevant and has a negative effect on the target reader. Similarly, a candidate who produces considerably fewer than the stipulated number of words is unlikely to have included all the features of content necessary to achieve the task.

All CPE Writing tasks are extensively trialled before they appear on a live paper, and care is taken to ensure that tasks do not expect answers that are significantly longer or shorter than the required number of words.

Do candidates have to study all the set texts?The set text questions are optional. If candidates decide to answer on a set text, it is only necessary to study one of the texts as there is always a question on each of them.

N.B. From June 2009, there will be a choice of two books of a different style and genre. Each book will normally remain on the list for two years. Information on which set texts have been selected for a particular year can be found in Exam Details and Timetables. Will any edition of the set texts do?Any full-length edition will do. CPE candidates should not be reading simplified editions, which are acceptable at FCE level.

Download the sample papers for CPE and other exams.

Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?As a matter of policy, where the genre is given as a letter, the instruction 'You do not need to include postal addresses' is added to the rubric. Where other genres are given in the rubric (e.g. report, article), candidates sometimes choose to use a letter format to answer the question if appropriate to the task. In no case will the address, if included by the candidate, be subject to assessment, either negative or positive.

Is report or proposal format obligatory for such questions on the Writing paper?Reports and proposals should be clearly organised and may contain headings. The report/proposal format is not obligatory, but will make a good impression on the target reader if used appropriately. The mark awarded to the report/proposal will, however, depend on how the writing meets the requirements of the General Mark Scheme and the Task Specific Mark Scheme for the question.