First Certificate in English (FCE)

This is an examination at an intermediate level, requiring competence in all the language skills. It is widely recognised in commerce and industry, and by educational institutions in Britain and overseas as proof of language ability at the intermediate level. There are five components:

Reading

Candidates are expected to be able to read texts of various kinds (informative and general interest) and to show understanding of the gist or main points as well as points of specific detail.

Candidates are tested on lexical and grammatical knowledge.

There are four tasks, each of which consists of a text and corresponding comprehension task. The task types used are multiple matching, multiple choice, and gapped text, and there is a total of 35 items.

Writing

Candidates are expected to be able to write non-specialised texts of a descriptive, narrative and discursive nature.

Candidates must complete two tasks: a compulsory one and one from a choice of four. Task types are chosen from the following: letters, articles, reports, compositions. They are written for a specified purpose and target reader.

Listening

Candidates are expected to be able to understand conversations, announcements, news, radio features, etc. at an intermediate level.

The paper contains four parts, each of which consists of a recorded text or texts and corresponding comprehension tasks. Items are of the following task types: multiple-choice, note-taking, gap-filling, multiple-matching, selection from 2 or 3 possible answers.

Speaking

The standard test format is two candidates and two examiners. Candidates must be able to respond to questions and interact in conversational English. prompt materials are used by the examiners to stimulate and guide the interaction.

The paper contains four parts, including short exchanges with the examiner and with the other candidate, and a long turn of about one minute. In the first part, the candidates are encouraged to give information about themselves. The second and third parts make use of visual prompts, and the fourth part is a discussion of matters related to the theme of the third part.

Structural Competence

Candidates are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and control of the language system by completing a number of tasks, which are based either on authentic or on specially written texts.

There are five tasks, containing items of the following task types: multiple-choice cloze, open cloze, key word transformations, error correction, word formation.

Weighting of components

The five FCE papers total 200 marks, after weighting. Each paper is weighted to 40 marks.

Results

There are three pass grades (A, B and C) and certificates are awarded to all successful candidates. Candidates who achieve a grade D or E are judged not to have reached the required standard for FCE.