Is FCE for you?

Can you...

• understand texts from a wide variety of sources?


• use English to make notes while someone is speaking in English?


• talk to people about a wide variety of topics?


• understand people talking in English on radio or television programmes?

If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then FCE is the right exam for you.

What will FCE do for you?

Cambridge ESOL is a department of the world-famous and historic University of Cambridge. Attaining one of its certificates is an achievement and a reward in itself. However, there are many other benefits to taking FCE:

• an FCE certificate is valid for life


• FCE is truly international, recognised around the world for business and study purposes


• thousands of employers, universities and government departments officially recognise FCE as a qualification in upper-intermediate English.


• FCE gives you a pathway to higher qualifications such as the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)


• FCE's 'Can Do' skills give you the confidence to use English in real situations.

What will taking FCE help you do?

FCE is at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language.

For example, at B2 level, typical users can be expected to:

• understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing


• keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and presenting arguments


• produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

Your preparation for FCE will give you these kinds of practical language skills.

What does FCE involve?

FCE has five papers:

Reading: 1 hour

You will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes

You will have to show you can produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.

Use of English: 45 minutes

Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you control your grammar and vocabulary.

Listening: 40 minutes

You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including news programmes, speeches, stories and anecdotes and public announcements.

Speaking: 14 minutes

You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other candidates and by yourself.