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FCE

First Certificate in English

FCE is an intermediate level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level B2 of the Council of Europe's

Common European Framework. Learners at this level can expect to be able to work or studyin an English speaking environment and cope easily as tourists in an English speaking

country. This certificate is widely accepted for commercial and preliminary academic

purposes in the UK and throughout the world.

Test format

Reading: 1 hourYou will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals,

newspapers and magazines.

Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes

You will have to show you can produce two different pieces of writing such as a short story, aletter, an article, a report, a review or an essay.

Use of English: 45 minutesYour use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you control your grammar

and vocabulary.

Listening: 40 minutesYou need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including

news programmes, speeches, stories and anecdotes and public announcements.

Speaking: 14 minutesYou will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be

tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the

other candidates and by yourself.

Set texts for FCE until December 2013

William Thackeray: Vanity Fair (Black Cat or any edition)

Mary Stewart: This Rough Magic (OUP)

The texts are Graded Readers which have been adapted to the level and are suitable for

Cambridge English: First candidates. Other editions of these books may be available.

However, teachers and candidates should be aware that the language level in other editions

may be less accessible.

Results

Each component carries 20% of the total marks. There are three pass grades (A, B and C) and

certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a

grade D or E are judged not to have reached the required standard for FCE.

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CAE

Certificate in Advanced English

CAE is the second highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C1 of the Council of

Europe's Common European Framework. At this level learners can be expected to copeconfidently in most situations that would arise in an English speaking country - socially,

professionally and in higher education. CAE is accepted by almost all universities and

colleges in Britain and many others throughout the world including employers.

Test format

CAE has five papers:

Paper 1Reading (75 minutes)This paper tests your ability to understand fiction and non-fiction texts, articles from

newspaper and journals. You are expected to understand the text structure and detail and

grasp an opinion or standpoint.

Paper 2- Writing (90 minutes)This paper tests your ability to compose two different pieces of writing in the form of a letter,

article, review or report covering a range of topics.

Paper 3Use of English (60 minutes)Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your

grammar and vocabulary.

Paper 4Listening (45 minutes)

You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, includinglectures, radio broadcasts, speeches and talks.

Paper 5Speaking (15 minutes)You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in a group of three, and you will be

tested on your ability to take part in different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the

other candidate and by yourself.

Results

Each component carries 20% of the total marks. There are three pass grades (A, B and C) and

certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a

grade D or E are judged not to have reached the required standard for CAE.

Did you know?

All those who have the appropriate level of education, as decided by the Ministry of

Education, and have passed CAE, can teach English in the lower grades of primary school.

Find out moreabout the Agreement on Co-operation with the Ministry of Education.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-about_us-ministry_of_education_agreement.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-about_us-ministry_of_education_agreement.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-about_us-ministry_of_education_agreement.htm

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CPE

Certificate of Proficiency in English

CPE is the highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C2 of the Council of Europe's the

Council of Europe's Common European Framework. At this stage, learners are approaching astandard of English similar to that of an educated native speaker. CPE is accepted by almost

all universities and colleges in Britain and many others throughout the world, as proof of a

level of English suitable for entry to courses of higher education or postgraduate study. Many

employers also recognise CPE.

Test format

CPE has five papers

Paper 1Reading (90 minutes)This paper tests your ability to understand texts from a wide selection of sources, ranging

from newspaper articles to literature. You are expected to understand the text structure anddetail and grasp an opinion, standpoint or development of ideas.

Paper 2- Writing (120 minutes)This paper tests your ability to compose a non-specialised text in the form of a letter, article,

review or report (300-350 words) covering a range of set topics to a targeted reader.

Paper 3Use of English (90 minutes)This paper tests your knowledge of English sentence structure and text structure and you will

be asked to fill in the gaps, error correction, word formation and register transfer. You will be

also given a summary writing task.

Paper 4Listening (40 minutes)This part of the test will require of you to understand the meaning of the spoken text and

extract detailed information and understand speakers attitude and opinions.

Paper 5Speaking (15 minutes)The speaking test is done with an experienced examiner and you are expected to get engaged

and interact in conversational English. You will be put you in a contextual situation as well as

involving you in a discussion and interview testing your conversation skills in English.

Results

Each component carries 20% of the total marks. There are three pass grades (A, B and C) and

certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a

grade D or E are judged not to have reached the required standard for CPE.

Did you know?

All those who have the appropriate level of education, as decided by the Ministry of

Education, and have passed CPE, can teach English in the lower grades of primary school.

Find out moreabout the Agreement on Co-operation with the Ministry of Education.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-about_us-ministry_of_education_agreement.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-about_us-ministry_of_education_agreement.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-about_us-ministry_of_education_agreement.htm