What Is the FCE Exam? Cambridge English First is a comprehensive exam covering all areas of language skill. The exams consist of four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The Speaking test is conducted face to face with two students and two examiners. This method is a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use the language needed to communicate in English.
After the FCE Exam, a separate score is given for each of the four tests so that students' performance can be clearly understood. At the end of the exams, the scores are averaged to give students a clear result. At the end of the exam, students obtain a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level and the Common European Framework of Reference.
Reading and Use of English
Reading and Use of English Test
The Reading and Use of English Test shows that a student can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. The test examines the student's use of English with tasks that show how well they can control their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
- What Needs to Be Practised
Vocabulary, idioms, understanding text structure, sequencing, shades of meaning, phrasal verbs, fixed expressions.
The Reading and Use of English test consists of 7 parts and 52 questions. The Reading and Use of English Test makes up 40% of the FCE Exam.
In part one, there is a text containing 8 questions and some multiple-choice questions; each question has four options (A, B, C or D).
In part two, there is a text of 8 questions with some gaps, each representing a missing word. You must find the correct words for each gap.
In part three, there is a text containing eight gaps, and each gap represents a word. At the end of the line there is a 'prompt' word that you need to change in order to complete the sentence correctly.
Part four contains 6 questions. Each question includes a sentence followed by a 'key' word and a second sentence with a gap in the middle. The student needs to use this key word to complete the second sentence so that the second sentence has a similar meaning to the first sentence.
In part five, there is a text containing 6 multiple-choice questions. There are four options for each question (A, B, C and D).
In part six, there is a single page of text containing numbered gaps that represent missing sentences, and after the texts there are some sentences that are not in the correct order. Students need to read the text and the sentences and decide which sentence best fits which gap.
In part seven, there is a series of statements following a text divided into sections or several short texts. Students need to match each statement with the section or text where they can find the information.
1 hour 15 minutes
A total of 2,200 words are read in the test.
Writing
Writing Test
During the Writing Test, students are asked to produce two different pieces of writing from among writing types such as reports, reviews and essays. The Writing Test makes up 20% of the FCE Exams.
- What Needs to Be Practised
Vocabulary, idioms, understanding text structure, reading announcements and other short texts to understand the main message.
There are 2 parts in the Writing test. The parts contain different types of texts and questions.
In part one, students are given an essay title and two ideas connected to the title. Using the given ideas, students must write a 140–190 word essay expressing their opinion on the title, and they must add a third idea of their own connected to the title. The title is on a topic of general interest and the student does not need any specialist knowledge.
In part two, students must write a text of 140–190 words using one of various text types such as an article, email, letter, report or review. Students are given information about the context, topic purpose and target reader to guide their writing.
1 hour 20 minutes
140–190 words should be written per text
Listening
Listening Test
The test requires students to follow and understand a range of spoken material, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations. The Listening Test makes up 20% of the FCE Exams.
- What Needs to Be Practised
Listening for feeling, attitude, opinion, purpose, function, expression of opinion, agreement, gist and detail.
The Listening test consists of 4 parts and 30 questions.
In part one, there are eight short extracts consisting of monologues or conversations between interacting speakers. There is one multiple-choice question for each extract.
In part two, there is a monologue lasting about 3 minutes. Students need to complete the sentences on the question paper with the information they hear in the audio recording.
In part three, there is a series of five themed monologues, each lasting about 30 seconds. On the question paper, students must choose the five correct options from among eight possible answers.
In part four, there is a dialogue developing between two or more people, lasting about 3–4 minutes. Students must answer the multiple-choice questions by choosing the correct answer from among three options.
About 40 minutes, including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
Speaking
Speaking Test
In the Speaking test, the student takes the exam together with another student. The Speaking test examines the student's ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.
- What Needs to Be Practised
Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion on a range of topics. Talking to yourself about something: comparing, describing, expressing opinions, speculating. Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, being able to reach a decision through negotiation; agreeing or disagreeing, suggesting or not suggesting, evaluating or not evaluating.
The Speaking test consists of 4 parts and makes up 20% of the FCE Exams.
Part one is in the form of a conversation with the teacher. The teacher asks students questions, and students may need to give information about their interests, studies or careers.
In part two, the teacher gives students two photographs and asks them to talk about them. Students need to talk for 1 minute without interruption. Then the teacher asks the other student to comment on your photograph for about 30 seconds. The other student receives a different set of photographs, and when their turn is over you are asked to comment on the photograph. The question you need to answer about your photographs is written at the top of the exam paper to remind you what you need to talk about.
Part three is in the form of a conversation with the other student. The teacher gives the student some materials and a task. The student must talk with the other student and reach a decision.
In part four, the student needs to discuss further with the other student the topics that were talked about or set out in part three.
14 minutes for each candidate
