FCE Introduction
The Cambridge First Certificate in English examination, or FCE for short, is a qualification in English as a Foreign Language awarded by Cambridge ESOL. The current version of the exam was recently introduced for December 2008 and is sometimes referred to as the 'revised FCE'. It is a popular exam with over 250,000 candidates per year.
FCE is one of five 'Main Suite' examinations offered by Cambridge ESOL. The level of FCE is described as Intermediate. The table below shows how FCE fits into the Cambridge ESOL framework:
Because FCE is internationally recognised, people choose to take the exam for work purposes, study purposes or just for their own interest.
Adapted from the 'FCE Handbook', which is available to order from Cambridge ESOL.
FCE Paper 1 Reading
Time allowed: 1 hour
| Part | Task type | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Multiple choice | A text followed by multiple-choice questions with four options: A, B, C or D. | ||
| 2. Gapped text | A text with missing sentences; candidates choose the sentence order from a jumbled list. | ||
| 3. Multiple matching | One or several texts with prompt questions; candidates match the prompt to the relevant section of the text(s). |
FCE Paper 2 Writing
Time allowed: 1 hour 20 minutes
| Part | Task type | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Compulsory task | Read input information (including adverts, extracts from letters, emails, schedules, etc. of up to 160 words) and write a Letter or Email. | ||
| 2. Choice of one out of five tasks. | 2: (Questions 2-4) Candidates write one of the following: Article, Essay, Letter, Report, Review or Story. (Question 5. 2 options) Candidates write one of the following, based on one of the set reading texts: Article, Essay, Letter, Report, Review Note: Question 5 has two options - 5a and 5b. Visit the FCE section of our FAQspage for details of this year's set texts. |
FCE Paper 3 Use of English
Time allowed: 45 minutes
| Part | Task type | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Multiple choice | A text with twelve gaps. Candidates choose the correct missing words by answering twelve multiple-choice questions with four options. | ||
| 2. Open cloze | A text with twelve gaps. Candidates fill in the missing words. | ||
| 3. Word formation | A text with ten gaps. Candidates form the missing words from the given stem words. | ||
| 4. Key word transformations | Eight separate questions, each containing a lead-in sentence, followed by a 'key word' and a second (gapped) sentence. Candidates complete the second sentence in two to five words, and must include the 'key word'. |
FCE Paper 4 Listening
Time allowed: Approximately 40 minutes
| Part | Task type | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Multiple Choice | A series of extracts with one or more speakers lasting around 30 seconds each. Candidates answer one multiple choice question per extract, each with three options: A, B or C. | ||
| 2. Sentence completion | A three-minute monologue or dialogue. Candidates fill in the gaps to complete the sentences. | ||
| 3. Multiple matching | A series of related monologues lasting around 30 seconds each. Candidates match the extract to the correct option from a list of six. | ||
| 4. Multiple choice | A three-minute monologue or dialogue. Candidates answer multiple choice questions with 3 options: A, B or C. |
FCE Paper 5 Speaking
Time allowed: 14 minutes
| Part | Task type | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Conversation between Interlocutor and each candidate | Candidates take it in turns to answer spoken questions that focus on interactional and social language. | ||
| 2. Individual 'long turn' (1 minute) and response from second candidate (20 seconds) | Each candidate is given a pair of photographs and asked to talk about them, using the prompt questions on the page. The second candidate gives a brief response. Tasks focus on: comparing, describing and expressing opinions. | ||
| 3. Two-way conversation between candidates | Candidates are given spoken instructions, along with visual and written prompts, and work on a decision-making task. The focus is on sustaining the interaction by: sharing ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating and negotiating to reach a decision. | ||
| 4. Discussion related to the task in Part 3 | Candidates answer spoken questions that focus on: expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing. |
