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.

PET

What is involved in taking the PET exam?

PET has three papers:
Reading and Writing: (1 hour 30 minutes) You need to be able to read texts from signs, journals, newspapers and magazines and understand the main points. You will need to show you can use vocabulary and structure by completing tasks such as writing a short message, and a story or letter of around 100 words. You will also need to complete an exercise involving changing the meaning of sentences.
Listening: (30 minutes approx) You will need to show you can understand the meaning of a range of recorded spoken material, including announcements and discussions about everyday life. You need to be able to follow the attitudes and intentions of the speakers.
Speaking: (up to 10 minutes) Candidates take the Speaking test in pairs. You have to show your spoken English by taking part in conversation, asking and answering questions, and talking freely about your likes and dislikes.

Read this doc on Scribd: Information for Candidates PET

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.