CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

FCE: First Certificate in English

What is FCE?
FCE is an upper-intermediate level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. More than 270,000 students take FCE every year in more than 100 countries around the world.

Who is FCE for?

The BRITANICO recommends FCE to students who have finished Advanced 6. At this level, students should be able to: Construct an argument and use appropriate communication styles for a variety of situations. Show awareness of register and of the conventions of politeness and degrees of formality as they are expressed through language. Deal with routine letters and telephone enquiries. Cope with some non-academic training courses and simple textbooks and articles.

Why take FCE?

FCE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires language skills. FCE indicates sufficient proficiency in English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs in many industries, where contact with English speakers is required. FCE is also useful preparation if you are working towards higher level exams, such as the CAE (Certificate in Advanced English).

What does the exam involve?

FCE has five Papers: Reading Writing Use of English Listening Speaking. 1 hour 1 hour 20 minutes 45 minutes 40 minutes (aprox.) 14 minutes (aprox.)

Each of the written papers is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment. The Speaking Test is conducted by two locally based examiners. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.

Results
Every candidate receives a Statement of Results that gives detailed information about their performance in each part of the exam. There are three Pass grades, A, B and C candidates reaching these grades are awarded a certificate. Cambridge certificates are truly international certificates, recognised around the world for business and study purposes. The FCE certificate is valid for life.

For more information please visit: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/fce.html