This is the most widely taken of the Cambridge examinations and is designed for candidates whose mother tongue is not English. The FCE is an intermediate level examination which reguires a knowledge of all language skills and si widely recognised in commerce and industry as well as by many university faculties and other institutions
Ýt is at Cambridge Level 3
CONTENT
The examinaton consists of five papers as outlined below.
Paper 1 Reading
1 hour 15 mins
Candidates are tested on their ability to understand gist, main points, detail, text structure or specific information, or to deduce meaning in written texts such as newspaper and magazine articles, informational material (eg brochures, guides, etc.), advertisements, fiction.
The paper contains 4 long texts, or 3 long and 2 or more short texts; 35 readig comprehensin qýestions.
Paper 2 Writing
1 hour 30 mins
The tasks set are designed to generate language written for a given purpose and target reader: letters, articles, reports or compositions. xaminers asses range and accuracy of language, appropriacy, organisation and task achievement.
Candidates are required to carry out one compulsory task and one from a choice of four.
Paper 3 use of english
1 hour 15 mins
This paper test candidates' knowledge of lecical and grammatical systems. It contains five parts, with a total of 65 questions.
Paper 4 Listening
approx 40 mins
Candidates are tested on their ability to understand gist, main points, detail or specific information, or to deduce meaning in spoken English in a variety of contets such as radio programmes, answer phone messages, public announcements, conversations, interviews, etc.
The paper contains 2 longer recorder texts and 2 series of short extracts; 30 listening comprehension quetions.
Paper 5 Speaking
approx 14 mins
The tasks set are designed to assess candidates' ability to exchange personal and factual information, and to express and find out about attitudes and opinions.