FCE Overview
FCE Overview
FCE Overview
Paper
Reading (1 hour) Writing (1 hour 20 minutes) Use of English (45 minutes) Listening (about 40 minutes)
Content
3 parts/30 questions 2 parts 4 parts/42 questions 4 parts/30 questions
Purpose
Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, reviews and short stories. Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary. Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations. Tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations. You will take the Speaking test with one or two other candidates.
20%
20%
Exam format
Reading Available as a paper-based test Available as a computer-based test Download a free pack of sample papers (zip file) Whats in the Reading paper? The Cambridge English: First Reading paper has different types of text and questions. In one part, you may have to read one long text or two or more shorter, related texts. Summary
Time allowed: Number of parts: Number of questions: Marks: Lengths of texts: 1 hour 3 30 20% of total 550700 words per text: about 2,000 words to read in total newspaper and magazine articles, reports, fiction, advertisements, letters, messages, informational material (e.g. brochures, guides, manuals, etc.)
Parts 13
Part 1 (Multiple choice)
A text with some multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D) and you have to decide which is the correct answer. What's in Part 1? What do I have to practise? How many questions are there? How to understand the details of a text, including opinions and attitudes. 8
Practise Part 1 Now try Part 1 from the sample Cambridge English: First Reading paper.
Practise Part 2 Now try Part 2 from the sample Cambridge English: First Reading paper.
Practise Part 3 Now try Part 3 from the sample Cambridge English: First Reading paper.
6. Read the questions carefully and check each option against the text before rejecting it. (Part 2) DON'Ts 7. Don't try to answer any questions without referring carefully to the text. 8. Don't spend too much time on any one part of the paper. 9. Don't forget to record your answers on the separate answer sheet. 10. Don't assume that if the same word appears in the text as well as in an option, this means you have located the answer.
Whats in the Writing paper? In the two parts of the Cambridge English: First Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English. Summary
Time allowed: Number of parts: 1 hour 20 minutes 2 Part 1: one compulsory question Part 2: one question from a choice of five 20% of total article, email, essay, letter, report, review, story
Parts 12
Part 1
Some material to read (up to 160 words). You have to write a letter or email using the information in this material. What's in Part 1? Writing a letter or email. You may have to apologise, compare, describe, explain, express opinions, justify, persuade, recommend, and/or suggest something. One compulsory question. 120150 words
What do I have to practise? How many questions are there? How much do I have to write?
Practise Part 1 Now try Part 1 from the sample Cambridge English: First Writing paper.
Part 2
A choice of five questions. The answer you have to write will be one of the following: an article, essay, letter, report, review or story. What's in Part 2? If you read one of the set books and want to write about it, you may decide to try Question 5. You have a choice of two tasks 5 (a) or 5 (b) for this question. Writing different types of text: articles, essays, letters, reports, reviews. Depending on the question, you will have to advise, compare, describe, explain, express opinions, justify and/or recommend something. One task to be selected from a choice of five. 120180 words
What do I have to practise? How many questions are there? How much do I have to write?
Whats in the Use of English paper? The Cambridge English: First Use of English paper has four parts with different types of tasks which test grammar and vocabulary. Summary
Time allowed: Number of parts: Number of questions: Marks: 45 minutes 4 42 20% of total
Parts 14
Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze)
A text in which there are some missing words or phrases (gaps). After the text there are four possible answers for each gap and you have to choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). What's in Part 1? What do I have to practise? How many questions are there? How many marks are there? Vocabulary words with similar meanings, collocations, linking phrases, phrasal verbs, etc. 12 One mark for each correct answer.
Practise Part 1 Now try Part 1 from the sample Cambridge English: First Use of English paper.
Practise Part 2 Now try Part 2 from the sample Cambridge English: First Use of English paper.
uncompetitive. How many questions are there? How many marks are there? 10 One mark for each correct answer.
Practise Part 3 Now try Part 3 from the sample Cambridge English: First Use of English paper.
Practise Part 4 Now try Part 4 from the sample Cambridge English: First Use of English paper. Whats in the Listening paper? The Cambridge English: First Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice. Summary
Time allowed: Number of parts: Number of questions: Marks: about 40 minutes 4 30 20% of total
Parts 14
Part 1 (Multiple choice)
A series of short, unrelated recordings of approximately 30 seconds each. You have to listen to the recordings and answer one multiple-choice question for each. Each question has three options (A, B or C). What's in Part 1? Listening for general meaning (gist), detail, function, purpose, attitude, opinion, relationship, topic, place, situation, genre, agreement, etc. 8 One mark for each correct answer.
What do I have to practise? How many questions are there? How many marks are there?
Practise Part 1 Now try Part 1 from the sample Cambridge English: First Listening paper.
Practise Part 2 Now try Part 2 from the sample Cambridge English: First Listening paper.
What do I have to practise? How many questions are there? How many marks are there?
Practise Part 3 Now try Part 3 from the sample Cambridge English: First Listening paper.
Practise Part 4 Now try Part 4 from the sample Cambridge English: First Listening paper.
Whats in the Speaking paper? The Cambridge English: First Speaking test has four parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners conducts the test (asks you questions, gives you paper with things to talk about, and so on). The other examiner listens to what you say and takes notes. Summary
Time allowed: Number of parts: Marks: 14 minutes per pair of candidates 4 20% of total with the examiner with the other candidate on your own
Parts 14
Part 1 (Interview)
Conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks questions and you may have to give information about yourself, talk about past experiences, present circumstances and future plans. What's in Part 1? What do I have to practise? How long do I have to speak? Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics. 3 minutes
Practise Part 1 Now try Part 1 from the sample Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
Practise Part 2 Now try Part 2 from the sample Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
have to talk with the other candidate and make a decision. Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc. 3 minutes
Practise Part 3 Now try Part 3 from the sample Cambridge English: First Speaking paper.
Part 4 (Discussion)
Further discussion with the other candidate about the same topic as the task in Part 3. What's in Part 4? What do I have to practise? How long do I have to speak? Expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing. 4 minutes