First (FCE) Exam: General Overview

B2 First is a qualification for learners who have an upper-intermediate level of English.

√ It tests your knowledge and ability in English at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

✔It is accepted by thousands of institutions and employers around the world as evidence that you can use spoken and written English for study, work and life.

✔It is based on extensive research to make sure that each paper is the right length and the right level, so your exam result will reflect your abilities fairly and accurately.

✔is designed to show your ability to use English in a range of different ways.

?What can a B2 Level student do?

?B2 level is one of the CEFR levels described by the Council of Europe. According to the CEFR, it means you have the capacity to achieve most goals and express yourself on a range of topics:

• • You can show visitors around and give a detailed description of a place.
  • You can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation.
  • You can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
  • You can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

?The First Certificate in English is the most important of the Cambridge exams.

?What is the Cambridge First format?

?The exam has four papers. Each one is equally important.

1. 1. Reading & Use of English– (1 hour 15 minutes): This paper tests your reading skills, such as reading for detail or understanding how a text is organised, and your knowledge and use of a range of vocabulary and grammar.
   2. Writing–  (1 hour 20 minutes): This paper tests the content, communicative achievement, organisation and language of your written English.
   3. Listening– (40 minutes): This paper tests real-life listening skills, such as listening for general meaning, information, opinion or detail.
   4. Speaking– (14 minutes): This tests your ability to interact with other speakers, how you organise your ideas, your pronunciation and your use of grammar and vocabulary.

Do I need to pass all four papers?

No, it’s possible to pass the exam if you do well in some papers but not in every paper. For example, if you do very well in Reading and Use of English, Writing and Listening, but you don’t do very well in Speaking, it’s still possible to pass the exam. What’s the difference between taking the exam on paper or on a computer? The content of the exams is the same, the scoring is the same and the final certificate is the same. Cambridge English offers two versions of the exam (paper-based and computer-based) just so you have more choice and flexibility in how you take it.

?How can you register?

To register for your Cambridge English exam, you will need to find an authorised exam centre. There are over 2,800 centres in 130 countries around the world.

?What are the two types of exam?

?Paper-based

?Computer-based exams

?You can choose which one you prefer.

?What about the scores?

Score: A, B, C (pass), D, E or U (fail).

?FCE A grade pass is accepted for entry to some universities.

Your scores for (Paper 1 (Reading) + Paper 1 (Use of English) + Paper 2 + Paper 3 + Paper 4) ÷ 5 = your exam result!

?When can I take the test?

The FCE test can be taken most months in either paper-based or computer-based format.

Paper-Based: The paper-based test can be taken in March, May, June, August and December.

Computer Based: The computer-based test can be taken in February, April, July, August and November.

What’s the difference between taking the exam on paper or on a computer? The content of the exams is the same, the scoring is the same and the final certificate is the same. Cambridge English offers two versions of the exam (paper-based and computer-based) just so you have more choice and flexibility in how you take it.

?Not all test centres will administer both types of test. In Goiânia you can only do the paper-based format. If you wish to take the computer-based format you have to take in other cities of Brazil. The nearest center is in Brasília.

?How much does it cost to take FCE?

Fees are set by test centres. Expect to pay around €160 euros.