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.
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