Some activities...

You may answer these multiple-choice questions to test your progress at FCE level, then click 'Test Results' for on-line corrections. Good luck!

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Marking and grades

For PET:
Each skill carries 25% of the total marks.
There are two Pass grades (Pass with Merit and Pass) and certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades.
Candidates who achieve a grade Narrow Fail or Fail are judged not to have reached the required standard for PET.
Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the centres. Candidates can also see them over the internet.
Once awarded Cambridge ESOL PET certificates are valid for life.

For FCE:
Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the test centres.
Each component of the exam carries 20% of the total marks.
There are three Pass grades, A, B and C — candidates reaching these grades are awarded a certificate. Candidates achieving grades D or E do not receive a certificate.

FCE

FCE has five papers:
Reading: (1 hour 15 minutes) You will need to be able to understand information in fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and magazines.
Writing: (1 hour 30 minutes) You will have to show you can produce a number of different items such as a short story, a letter, an article, a report or a composition, each of about 120—180 words.
Use of English: (1 hour 15 minutes) Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you control your grammar and vocabulary.
Listening: (40 minutes) You need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of spoken material, including lectures, news programmes and public announcements.
Speaking: (up to 14 minutes) You will take the Speaking test with another candidate or in groups 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.

Read this doc on Scribd: FCE Information for candidates

Source: ESOL Examinations Centre University of Cambridge

PET or FCE?

Is PET for you?
Can you use English to:

• deal with everyday events?
• read simple textbooks or magazine articles?
• write letters on familiar subjects?
• take notes in a meeting?

If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then PET is the right exam for you.

Is FCE for you?
Can you...
... understand texts from a wide variety of sources?
... use English to make notes while someone is speaking in English?
... talk to people about a wide variety of topics?
... understand people talking in English on radio or television programmes?

If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then FCE is the right exam for you.