ADVICE FOR THE SPEAKING EXAM

The speaking exam is done with a partner that you can choose or it can also be a trio of 3 candidates.

The speaking exam for the B2 first certificate exam (FCE) consists of 4 parts including: an interview,
long turn, collaborative task and discussion, it is a paired activity and lasts between 12-14 minutes.
The parts are always the same so it is easy to practice. The evaluation scale for the B2 ranges from 0-
5, candidates need a 3 to pass. The evaluation scale is split into 4 sections.

- Grammar and vocabulary

- Discourse management
- Pronunciation
- Interactive communication

Candidates are assessed by 2 examiners (Interlocutor 25%/Evaluator 75%) and the evaluation scale
is readily available on the Cambridge website. The interlocutor is the person who asks you questions,
the evaluator only listens and assesses.

What is says is as follows:

For grammar and vocabulary “the candidate shows a good degree of control of a range of simple and
some complex grammatical forms. Uses a range of appropriate vocabulary to give and exchange
views on a wide range of familiar topics”. This basically means that you grammar is correct with
simple structures and you can use some difficult grammar (passive, conditionals, modal verbs etc.)
and that your vocabulary is good when talking about the topics from the units of study.

For discourse management “Produces extended stretches of language with very little hesitation.
Contributions are relevant and there is a clear organisation of ideas. Uses a range of cohesive
devices and discourse markers”. This part of the evaluation states that you need to organise your
speech, use various connectors (5-8), what you say is focussed on answering the questions and you
do not doubt much when you are speaking.

© 2017 APPF. Actividades Psicopedagógicas de Formación S.L.

For pronunciation “Is intelligible. Intonation is appropriate. Sentence and word stress is accurately
placed. Individual sounds are articulated clearly”. Basically the examiners need to understand you
easily and your intonation needs to seem English. As I have said in the pronunciation section,
Spanish speakers rarely fail this part but it is also an easy part to get a good grade on to help with
your overall mark/result.

For interactive communication “Initiates and responds appropriately, linking contributions to those
of other speakers. Maintains and develops the interaction and negotiates towards an outcome”. This
means that you can form questions well, you can continue a conversation and make it interesting,
and you can link topics to other topics or to what your partner has said. And that you try to give a
conclusion. I always tell candidates that you want to think of it as la patata caliente. You do not want
to speak for too long (20 seconds maximum) and then you pass it to your partner with a question or
a question tag. It is an informal conversation and you can interrupt and show disagreement. Try to
be creative and give the activity a context, boring conversations usually get a bad mark/grade.

© 2017 APPF. Actividades Psicopedagógicas de Formación S.L.