How to survive the FCE exam?

The FCE (First Certificate in English) is a B2-level exam from Cambridge English, part of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). It certifies that you can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level.

Paper Content Purpose Blog Link
Reading and Use of English
(1 hour 15 minutes)		 7 parts/52 questions Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with tasks that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary. Visit
Writing
(1 hour 20 minutes)		 2 parts Requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as letters, reports, reviews and essays. Visit
Listening
(about 40 minutes)		 4 parts/30 questions Requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations. Visit
Speaking
(14 minutes per pair of candidates; 20 minutes per group of three)		 4 parts Shows how good your spoken English is as you take part in conversation by asking/answering questions and discussing topics. Your Speaking test will be face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners (who could be online, examining remotely) talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app. Visit

SCORING & GRADING

Score (out of 190) Grade CEFR Level
180–190 A C1 (Advanced)
173–179 B B2
160–172 C B2
Below 160 — B1 (No certificate)

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Reading and Use of English

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The Reading section of the FCE (B2 First) is combined with the Use of English paper. Together, they last 75 minutes and consist of 7 parts with 52 questions in total. This part tests your ability to: Understand authentic written texts Identify main ideas and specific details Infer meaning and attitude Follow text organization and coherence Breakdown of the Reading Tasks: Part Task Type What's in? Link to Understand 1 (Use of English) Multiple-choice cloze A text with some multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D) – you have to decide which is the correct answer. Link 2 (Use of English) Open cloze A text in which there are some gaps, each of which represents one missing word. You have to think of the correct word for each gap. Link 3 (Use of English) Word formation A text containing eight gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the line is a ‘prompt’ word which you have to change in some way to complete t...
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Writting

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The writing test lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes and consists of two parts. You must write two texts, each between 140 and 190 words. The first text is an essay, and the second consists of a report, article , email, or review. Part Task Type What's in? 1 (Writing) Compulsory question You’re given an essay title and two ideas clearly linked to the title. You write an essay giving your opinions about the title, using the ideas given. You must also add a third, different idea of your own linked to the title. The title will be a subject of general interest – you won’t need any specialised knowledge. 2 (Writing) Situationally based writing task You write a text from a choice of text types – article, email/letter, report or review. To guide your writing, you’ll be given information about context, topic, purpose and target reader. Video of Linking words and expressions for your writting part Link to practice Vocabulary WRITING PART 1 What is it? You are required to writ...
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Listening

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 The FCE Listening paper tests your ability to understand spoken English in different contexts and accents. The test includes 4 parts and lasts approximately 40 minutes , including time to transfer your answers. Part Task Type What's in? Link to Understand Part 1 Multiple choice Eight short extracts from monologues or conversations between interacting speakers. There is one multiple-choice question for each extract, and you have to choose A, B or C. Watch Part 2 Sentence completion A monologue (which may be introduced by a presenter) lasting approximately 3 minutes. You have to complete the sentences on the question paper with the missing information which you hear on the recording. Watch Part 3 Multiple matching A series of five themed monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. On the question paper, you have to select five correct options from a list of eight possible answers. Watch Part 4 Multiple choice A conversation between two or more spea...
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